NDA Exam: Eligibility, Syllabus, Cut Off, Preparation Tips

NDA Exam is conducted for admission to the National Defence Academy, Pune, which trains candidates for officer-level entry in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The UPSC conducts the examination twice a year at the national level.

Both male and female candidates can apply, provided they have the eligibility for the NDA exam, which includes age, educational qualification, nationality, and physical fitness. The exam will be highly competitive; hence, practicing NDA previous year papers and following a strong NDA preparation strategy are very important for success.

What is the NDA Exam?

The NDA is a national-level entrance exam conducted twice a year by UPSC. Students who clear this exam get admission to the National Defence Academy in Pune, where they train to become officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Why Choose NDA?

The key reasons to choose NDA are:

• Opportunity to serve the nation

• Permanent officer rank in the Armed Forces

• World-class training at NDA, Pune

• Excellent salary, facilities, and career growth

• A respected and prestigious profession

NDA Exam Important Dates 2026

Here are the key dates for the NDA 2026 exam cycle, including notification, application, and exam dates:

This schedule covers the complete NDA exam date & schedule for both cycles.

NDA Exam Eligibility 

As per the National Defence Academy, there are a set of eligibility criteria that need to be satisfied by the candidates while applying for the examination. This includes specifications regarding educational qualification, age limit, nationality, and physical fitness. Candidates can apply, following the detailed NDA age limit and qualification rules.

NDA Application Form 2026

The online NDA 1 application form for the year 2026 will be available from December 10, 2025, to December 30, 2025. Candidates will be able to apply from May 20 to June 9, 2026, during the NDA 2 application window. Application Mode: Online Only Application Fee: INR 100 SC/ST/Sons of JCOs, NCOs, ORs-Exempt. The Application Form Process is completely online. After the online generation of the particular Registration Number, candidates must follow the given steps:

1. Click the NDA apply online link.

2. Complete one-time registration.

3. Register for the exam.

4. Upload required documents.

5. Pay the application fee.

6. Submit the application form.

UPSC NDA Syllabus & Exam Pattern 

The NDA exam is divided into two sections: Mathematics (Maths) and General Ability Test (GAT). The topics that come under each section are as follows:

• Maths: Topics from high school level like Algebra, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Integral Calculus, Probability, etc.

• English: Vocabulary, Comprehension, Prepositions, etc.

• General Knowledge: Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, Geography, Current Affairs, and General Science.

SSB Interview Stages:

• Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) & Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT)

• Stage 2: Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychological Tests, and Conference

NDA Selection Process

The process of selection into the NDA is multistage, from applying to declaring the final results. Here's a step-by-step guide.

1. Release of Notification & Application Form

2. NDA admit card download

3. Appear in the Written Exam

4. Declaration of Written Exam Results

5. Appear in the SSB Interview

6. Declaration of Final Result

NDA Exam Admit Card

The NDA hall ticket is issued online only. Registered candidates will be able to download their admit cards from the direct link given below on this page. The e-admit card for UPSC NDA NA can be accessed by candidates through either a registration number or a roll number. A print of the admit card should be carried along with photo ID proof to the exam centre.

NDA Result & Cut Off

The result of the NDA examination will be announced online by UPSC, and the PDF of the result will consist of the roll numbers of candidates who are qualified. Shortlisted candidates then appear for SSB interview. NDA cutoffs are issued separately for the written exam and final exam.

• Written Examination Cut-off Marks: The cut-off marks for the written examination are prepared out of 900 marks.

• Final Cutoff: The final cutoff, out of 1800 marks, that is 900 for the written and 900 for SSB, would be determined based on the marks of the last recommended candidate

NDA Previous Year Papers 

The practice of the previous year's papers for NDA is very important in terms of effective preparation. It will help the candidates get a glimpse into the pattern of the examination, enhance the methods of time management skills, and highlight the important topics. Solving them within a stipulated time frame enhances a candidate's confidence and pinpoints areas where improvement is required. It’s an essential strategy to excel in both the Mathematics and General Ability Test sections.

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