NDA II 2026

Overview

The National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is the premier joint-services training academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together before going to their respective service academies.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Official Notification Release	May 20, 2026
Application Start Date	May 20, 2026
Last Date to Apply	June 16, 2026
Admit Card Release	August 15, 2026
NDA II Written Examination	September 6, 2026
Written Exam Result	October 30, 2026
SSB Interview Dates	Jan - Mar 2027

Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit & Gender

• Age: Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than January 2, 2007, and not later than January 1, 2010, are eligible.
• Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried and commit to not marrying during their training.

Educational Qualification

• For Army Wing of NDA: Class 12 Pass (10+2 pattern) or equivalent examination from a recognized Board/University.
• For Navy and Air Force Wings: Class 12 Pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) from a recognized Board/University.
• Candidates currently appearing in Class 12 can also apply.

Selection Process

The NDA selection process consists of two major stages:

1. Written Examination (Objective)

• Mathematics: 120 Questions / 300 Marks / 2.5 hours
• General Ability Test (GAT): 150 Questions / 600 Marks / 2.5 hours
• Total: 900 Marks
• GAT covers English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks).
• Negative marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question.

2. SSB Interview (Intelligence & Personality Test)

• Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).
• Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference.
• Total Marks: 900 Marks
• Air Force candidates must also pass the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically and medically fit as per the guidelines of the Armed Forces.

• Minimum Height: 157 cm (162.5 cm for Air Force). Special relaxations apply for candidates from Hills/Northeast.
• Visual Standards: Correctable visual acuity up to 6/6 in the better eye. Myopia limits apply based on the wing selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can female candidates apply for the NDA exam?
Yes, female candidates are fully eligible to apply for the NDA entrance examination.

Q: Is there any physical test during the SSB Interview?
Yes, the Group Testing Officer (GTO) stage involves obstacle races and physical tasks to test teamwork, endurance, and leadership qualities.