NDA 1 2026 Notification (Out), PDF, Vacancy, Exam Date, Apply Link
The NDA 1 2026 Notification has been released on December 10, 2025, on upsc.gov.in for 394 vacancies. The application closing date is December 30, 2025. The written exam is scheduled for April 12, 2026. Eligibility requires a 12th pass (PCM for Air Force/Navy) and specific age limits. This is for selection into the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
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NDA 1 2026 Notification has been released for 394 vacancies for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Naval Academy, giving 12th-pass candidates a chance to join the defence services. The notification and online form have been activated on 10 December 2025, and candidates can apply till 30 December 2025 through the official UPSC website. The NDA 1 2026 written exam is scheduled on 12 April 2026, so aspirants get enough time to prepare as per the official schedule. In this article, candidates will find the NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF, vacancy details, exam date, and a direct online application link.
NDA 1 2026 Notification: Overview
National Defence Academy (NDA) is a national-level exam organised twice a year by UPSC. Candidates who have completed their 12th class and are between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age are eligible to apply. The forms will be filled on the UPSC official website after completing the OTR process with the release of the NDA 1 2026 Notification.
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NDA 1 2026 Notification: Overview |
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Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
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Exam Name |
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) I, 2026 |
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Official Website |
upsc.gov.in |
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Notification Release Date |
December 10, 2025 |
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Application Start Date |
December 10, 2025 |
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Application End Date |
December 30, 2025 |
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Exam Date (Written) |
April 12, 2026 |
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Total Expected Vacancies |
394 |
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Mode of Application |
Online (UPSC OTR Portal) |
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Exam Stages |
1. Written Examination (900 Marks) 2. SSB Interview (900 Marks) 3. Medical Examination |
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Educational Qualification |
12th Pass/Appearing (Any stream for Army; PCM mandatory for Air Force/Navy/Naval Academy) |
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Age Limit |
16.5 to 19.5 years |
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Gender |
Unmarried Male and Female Candidates |
NDA Notification 2026 PDF
NDA Notification 2026 PDF is an official document released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The interested candidates who want to appear in the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam. They should carefully read the information mentioned in the NDA 1 2026 Notification.
NDA 1 2026 Exam Date
UPSC has scheduled the NDA 1 2026 written exam for 12 April 2026 (Sunday) across various centres in India. The exam includes two papers: Mathematics in the morning (10:30 AM to 1:00 PM) and General Ability Test in the afternoon (2:00 PM to 4:30 PM), each lasting 2.5 hours. With notification out on 10 December 2025 and applications closing on 30 December 2025, candidates have ample time to prepare. Admit cards will release in early April 2026 on upsc.gov.in, so check regularly for the direct download link.
NDA 1 2026 Vacancy Details
UPSC has announced 394 vacancies in NDA 1 2026 for Army, Navy, Air Force (Flying), and Naval Academy courses.
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NDA 1 2026 Vacancy |
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Academy/Course |
Vacancies |
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Army |
208 |
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Navy |
42 |
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Air Force (Flying) |
60 |
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Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) |
84 |
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Total |
394 |
NDA 1 2026 Apply Online Link
NDA 1 2026 Apply Online Link for the candidates has been opened on the official portal from December 10, 2025. Candidates can visit the website to fill out the application form. NDA 1 2026 Application Form Date (deadline) is December 30, 2025. The application forms are being accepted only after the fee payment is made online.
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General: Rs. 100
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SC/ST candidates/female candidates/Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs: Exempted
NDA 1 2026 Apply Online Link (Active)
NDA 1 2026 Eligibility Criteria
NDA 1 2026 eligibility requires unmarried male and female candidates aged 16.5 to 19.5 years, born between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2010. For Army wing, 12th pass or appearing students from any stream qualify; Air Force and Navy need Physics, Chemistry, and Maths in 12th. Candidates must be Indian citizens or specified categories like Nepal/Bhutan subjects, and meet physical/medical fitness standards set by UPSC. Class 11 students cannot apply, but final-year 12th students can if they pass before training.
NDA 1 2026 Educational Qualification
NDA 1 2026 Educational Qualification is a 12th Class Pass (or equivalent), but the required subjects depend on the specific wing.
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NDA 1 2026 Educational Qualification |
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Wing |
Minimum Educational Qualification |
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Army Wing (National Defence Academy) |
12th Class Pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent. (Any stream is accepted). |
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Air Force & Naval Wings (National Defence Academy) |
12th Class Pass of the 10+2 pattern with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as compulsory subjects. |
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10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (Indian Naval Academy - INA) |
12th Class Pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as compulsory subjects. |
NDA 1 2026 Age Limit
NDA 1 2026 Age Limit for the unmarried male and female candidates is 16.5 to 19.5 years. The candidates should not be born before 2nd July 2007 and not later than 1st July 2010 can apply for the NDA 2026 exam.
NDA 1 2026 Nationality Requirements
A candidate must be an unmarried male or female and must be either:
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A Citizen of India.
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A Subject of Bhutan or Nepal.
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A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.
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A Person of Indian Origin who has migrated from countries like Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African countries (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) to permanently settle in India.
Important: Candidates belonging to categories other than a Citizen of India or a Subject of Nepal must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
NDA 1 2026 Selection Process
The Union Public Service Commission has mentioned detailed information regarding the selection process in the NDA 1 2026 Notification. Candidates who want to appear for the NDA exam. They should qualify the stages of the NDA 1 2026 Selection Process.
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Written Test
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SSB
NDA 1 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern
NDA 1 2026 Syllabus covers the questions from the Mathematics and General Ability Test. Candidates should carefully read the syllabus mentioned in the NDA 1 2026 Notification to begin with the preparation. The NDA 1 2026 Exam Pattern provides details on the questions and time limit. NDA is an offline test that comprises GAT (150 questions) and Mathematics (120 questions). Candidates get 2.5 hours each to appear in the two papers.
| NDA Exams Related link | |
| NDA Syllabus | NDA Eligibility |
| NDA Exam Date | NDA Admit Card |