Introduction: NDA 2026 examination has been announced for the interested candidates to get admission in the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. The exam is conducted by the competent authority Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The NDA 2026 exam is conducted twice a year which is known as NDA I and NDA II in the month of April and September. The process of application starts before the exam every year and is announced through the official website of the UPSC in India.
The process of admission to three academies in India is to first clear a written examination. The candidates who are able to clear the written examination are then invited for SSB interview which includes personality and physical test. If the candidate also clears the SSB interview round the next process is to invite them for a medical examination and document verification. According to the merit and interest shown on one of the three academies a call letter is issued.
Candidates having interest in the NDA exam have come to the right place; here you will have all the information related to the Registration Procedure, Form Filling, Eligibility Criteria, Important dates, Application process etc.
NDA 2026 exam registration process
The registration process is simple, candidates have to visit the official website of the UPSC and complete the procedure with application fee.
| Name of Entrance Exam | UPSC NDA (national defense academy) |
| Exam organizers | UPSC |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | https://www.upsconline.nic.in/ |
| Application fee | Rs. 100/=
§ SC/ST candidates are exempted from fee payment. |
NDA 2026 exam eligibility criteria
- NATIONALITY
The candidate be one of these
- The Citizenship of India, or
- The subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- Tibetan refugee who had been migrated to India before January 01, 1962 with the intention of Permanent Settle, or
- An individual of Indian Origin migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire & Vietnam for permanent settle purpose in India.
- Education Qualification
The education qualification is relevant to the academy where admission is sort.
- National Defense Academy (Army Wing): The candidate must have 10+2 pass certificate from a recognized board.
- Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy: The candidate should have 10+2 pass certificate from a recognized board with Physics and Mathematics as necessary subjects.
- Age Limit, Gender and Marital Status
- Candidate’s age must be between 5 to 19.5 yearsto be eligible for NDA 2026 examination.
- Only Male Candidates are eligible to apply
- Candidates must be unmarried to be eligible for NDA exam 2021.
NDA 2026 Exam Dates
Applicants can find the tentative schedule for the NDA examinations below. The process initiates from the month of December month, here are the important dates for NDA exam (NDA I and NDA II)
For NDA 1 2026:
| Events | Dates |
| Notification available | 3rd week of December 2025 |
| Application form begins | 3rd week of December 2025 |
| Ending date of application form | 1st week of January 2026 |
| Application Correction (OTR details) | 2nd week of January 2026 |
| Withdraw of application | 2nd week of January 2026 |
| Admit card available | 4th week of March 2026 |
| Exam date | 4th week of April 2026 |
| Result announcement | 1st week of May 2026 |
| SSB Interview | May/June 2026 |
For NDA 2 2026:
| Events | Dates |
| Notification release | 2nd week of May 2026 |
| Release of Application form | 2nd week of May 2026 |
| Last date to submit application form | 1st week of June 2026 |
| Application Correction | 2nd week of June 2026 |
| Withdraw of application | 2nd week of June 2026 |
| Admit card available | 4th week of August 2026 |
| Exam date | 1st week of September 2026 |
| Result announcement | Sep-26 |
| SSB Interview | Oct-26 |
How to fill the online application form (process) step by step guide
The NDA exam application process is filled in two parts which are Part 1 and Part 2 respectively. The application process involves the payment of application fee, registration, documents submission and over all information in the form.
Follow the below instruction step by step and within no time your NDA exam application form will be filled.
- Visit the official website of UPSC
- Go to the ”Apply Online” tab
- Select the ”Online Application for Various Examinations”
- Click on the ”ONLINE APPLICATION FOR VARIOUS EXAMINATIONS OF UPSC”
- Start the NDA registration process with Part-I.
- Fill-up all the details Pay the NDA application fee.
- Upload the scanned photograph and signature
- Agree to the declaration Submit the application.
- Download the NDA application form for future reference.
What are the important documents and things required?
- A valid email id
- An active mobile number
- Academic certificates
- Scanned documents (photograph, signature and photo ID card)
- Photo ID card
- Credit/debit card for paying application fee
What are the document file size and format requirement to fill the application form?
| Items | Size | Pixels | Bit | Format |
| Photograph | 20 – 300 Kbs | 350×350 – 1000×1000 | 24 | .jpg |
| Signature | 20 – 300 Kbs | 350×350 – 1000×1000 | 24 | .jpg |
| Photo identity card | 20 – 300 Kbs | – | – |
Final recommendation and suggestions
After reading this article you must have learned everything about the NDA exam process in India and how to go about it.
Here are few recommendations to avoid last minute hassles.
- Keep ready all the necessary documents with you before you initiate the process
- Read the eligibility criteria again.
- Follow the Part 1 and Part II application process.
- Visit official website and also read the instruction carefully
- Start preparing for the physical fitness follow a fitness regime
- Always keep the printout of the confirmation page.
Best NDA preparation tips click here.
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