UPSC National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA and…
Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). A written examination is followed by an SSB Intelligence and Personality Test. From the notice, on General Knowledge: "The topics mentioned are not to be regarded as exhaustive and questions on topics of similar nature not specifically mentioned in the syllabus may also be asked."
Important dates
- NDA and NA (I) 2027 Notification: 2 Dec 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 22 Dec 2026
- NDA and NA (I) 2027 Exam: 11 Apr 2027
- NDA and NA (II) 2027 Notification: 12 May 2027
- NDA and NA (II) 2027 Exam: 19 Sept 2027
Eligibility
- Qualification: Army wing of NDA: 12th class pass of the 10+2 pattern or equivalent. Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and the Indian Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme: 12th class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates appearing in 12th class may also apply.
Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible. The eligible birth window is fixed in each notice; for NDA and NA (II) 2026 it was born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011.
Selection process
- Written Examination: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks), objective type
- SSB Test/Interview: Two-stage selection procedure, 900 marks
- Final Selection: Made up to the number of vacancies available subject to eligibility, medical fitness and merit-cum-preference of the candidates
Exam pattern
- Mathematics, 300 marks, 150 minutes, Objective, OMR answer sheet, negative marking: One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to the question deducted for each wrong answer
- General Ability Test, 600 marks, 150 minutes, Objective, OMR answer sheet, negative marking: One-third (0.33) deducted for each wrong answer
- SSB Test/Interview, 900 marks
How to apply
Apply online at https://upsconline.nic.in. The portal has four modules: Account creation, Universal Registration and Common Application Form are common to all examinations; the fourth module is examination specific and is filled during the application window.
- Application fee (General/OBC/EWS (male)): Rs 100
- Application fee (SC/ST/Female/Wards of JCOs, NCOs and ORs): Rs 0
Vacancies
- Total vacancies: 394
- Year: NDA and NA (II) 2026
- NDA Army: 208
- NDA Navy: 42
- NDA Air Force Flying: 92
- NDA Air Force Ground Duties (Tech): 18
- NDA Air Force Ground Duties (Non-Tech): 10
- Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry): 24
Pay scale
- Post: Lieutenant (on commissioning)
- Pay level: Level 10
- Gross pay: Lieutenant: Level 10 (Rs 56100 to Rs 177500). Stipend of Rs 56100 per month to cadets during the entire duration of training in Service academies i.e. during training period at IMA
UPSC National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA and NA) syllabus
Paper I - Mathematics (300M/150min)
- Sets, Relations and Venn Diagrams (NDA)
- Real Numbers and Complex Numbers (NDA)
- Binary System of Numbers (NDA)
- Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic Progressions (NDA)
- Quadratic Equations (NDA)
- Linear Inequations in Two Variables (NDA)
- Permutation and Combination (NDA)
- Binomial Theorem (NDA)
- Logarithms (NDA)
- Matrices and Determinants (NDA)
- Angles and Trigonometric Ratios (NDA)
- Trigonometric Identities (NDA)
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions (NDA)
- Height and Distance (NDA)
- Properties of Triangles (NDA)
- Equation of a Line (NDA)
- Equation of a Circle (NDA)
- Parabola, Ellipse and Hyperbola (NDA)
- Analytical Geometry of Three Dimensions (NDA)
- Functions (NDA)
- Limits and Continuity (NDA)
- Derivatives (NDA)
- Applications of Derivatives (NDA)
- Integration (NDA)
- Definite Integrals and Areas (NDA)
- Differential Equations (NDA)
- Vector Algebra (NDA)
- Statistics (NDA)
- Probability (NDA)
- Random Variable and Binomial Distribution (NDA)
Paper II - General Ability Test Part A: English (200M)
Paper II - General Ability Test Part B Section A: Physics
- Physical Properties and States of Matter (NDA)
- Motion, Force, Gravitation and Energy (NDA)
- Heat (NDA)
- Sound (NDA)
- Light (NDA)
- Natural and Artificial Magnets (NDA)
- Electricity (NDA)
- General Principles in the Working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers… (NDA)
Paper II - General Ability Test Part B Section B: Chemistry
- Physical and Chemical Changes (NDA)
- Elements, Mixtures and Compounds (NDA)
- Properties of Air and Water (NDA)
- Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide (NDA)
- Oxidation and Reduction (NDA)
- Acids, Bases and Salts (NDA)
- Forms of Carbon (NDA)
- Fertilizers (NDA)
- Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches and Gun-Powder (NDA)
- Structure of Atom and Valency (NDA)
Paper II - General Ability Test Part B Section C: General Science
- Living and Non-Living (NDA)
- Cells, Protoplasm and Tissues (NDA)
- Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals (NDA)
- Human Body and its Important Organs (NDA)
- Common Epidemics, Causes and Prevention (NDA)
- Food and Balanced Diet (NDA)
- Solar System, Meteors, Comets and Eclipses (NDA)
- Achievements of Eminent Scientists (NDA)
Paper II - General Ability Test Part B Section D: History, Freedom Movement etc.
- Indian History with Emphasis on Culture and Civilisation (NDA)
- Freedom Movement in India (NDA)
- Indian Constitution and Administration (NDA)
- Five Year Plans of India (NDA)
- Panchayati Raj (NDA)
- Co-operatives and Community Development (NDA)
- Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State (NDA)
- Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi (NDA)
- Renaissance, Exploration and Discovery (NDA)
- War of American Independence (NDA)
- French Revolution (NDA)
- Industrial Revolution (NDA)
- Russian Revolution (NDA)
- Impact of Science and Technology on Society (NDA)
- Concept of One World (NDA)
- United Nations (NDA)
- Panchsheel (NDA)
- Democracy, Socialism and Communism (NDA)
- Role of India in the Present World (NDA)
Paper II - General Ability Test Part B Section E: Geography
- The Earth: Shape and Size (NDA)
- Latitudes and Longitudes (NDA)
- Concept of Time and International Date Line (NDA)
- Movements of Earth and their Effects (NDA)
- Origin of Earth (NDA)
- Rocks and their Classification (NDA)
- Weathering (NDA)
- Earthquakes and Volcanoes (NDA)
- Ocean Currents and Tides (NDA)
- Atmosphere and its Composition (NDA)
- Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure (NDA)
- Planetary Winds (NDA)
- Cyclones and Anti-cyclones (NDA)
- Humidity, Condensation and Precipitation (NDA)
- Types of Climate (NDA)
- Major Natural Regions of the World (NDA)
- Regional Geography of India (NDA)
- Sea Ports and Sea, Land and Air Routes of India (NDA)
- Imports and Exports of India (NDA)