UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026- Apply Online for 394 Posts

Post Name : National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I) 2026

No of Posts : 394 (Male: 370, Female: 24)

 

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualifications:

• For Army Wing of NDA: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University
• For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and for 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at Indian Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent
• Candidates appearing in the 12th Class under 10+2 pattern can also apply
• Such candidates must submit proof of passing by 10th December 2026
• Important: Candidates appearing in 11th class are NOT eligible

Nationality :

• Citizen of India, OR
• Subject of Nepal, OR
• Person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam with intention of permanent settlement in India
• Certificate of eligibility required for categories (ii) and (iii) except Gorkha subjects of Nepal

Marital Status :

• Candidates must be UNMARRIED (both male and female)
• Male divorcee/widower candidates cannot be treated as unmarried and are not eligible
• Candidates must undertake not to marry until completion of full training
• Marriage subsequent to application date will lead to disqualification
• Marriage during training will result in discharge and liability to refund all expenditure

 Vacancy Details :

Note: Indian Army publishes vacancies for Men and Women separately. Though notified through common notification, NDA/Naval Academy men and women are separate entries with selection done separately in gender-pure manner as per vacancies notified.

Age Limit (as on 01-07-2027)

• Minimum Age: 16.5 years – Born not later than 01st July 2010
• Maximum Age: 19.5 years – Born not earlier than 01st July 2007
• Only unmarried male/female candidates born between 01/07/2007 and 01/07/2010 are eligible
• Date of birth accepted only from Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate or equivalent
• No subsequent change in date of birth allowed
• No other document relating to age (horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts, etc.) will be accepted

Application Fee :

• Payment Mode: Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or Internet Banking
• Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances
• No fee exemption available for OBC candidates
• Applications without prescribed fee (unless exempted) shall be summarily rejected

Important Dates :

 

Selection Process :

• Stage 1 – Written Examination: Conducted by UPSC
• Paper-I: Mathematics – 300 marks, Duration: 2.5 hours (For IMA/INA/AFA only, not for Naval Academy 10+2 Entry)
• Paper-II: General Ability Test – 600 marks, Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Part A: English – 200 marks
  • Part B: General Knowledge – 400 marks (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, Current Events)
• Total Written Marks: 900
• All questions will be objective type
• Question papers in Mathematics and Part B of General Ability Test will be bilingual (Hindi and English)
• Candidates must use Black Ball Pen only for marking answers
• Negative Marking: 0.33 marks (one-third) deduction for each wrong answer
• Commission has discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects
• Stage 2 – Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview: 900 marks
• Two-Stage SSB Selection:
  • Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) – Shortlisting based on combined performance
  • Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference – Conducted over 4 days
• For Air Force Candidates: Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) required
• CPSS is conducted only once – grades secured hold good for every subsequent interview
• Candidates who fail CPSS cannot apply for Flying Branch but can be considered for Ground Duty branches
• Stage 3 – Medical Examination: Special Medical Board at designated Armed Forces Medical Services Hospitals
• Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks separately in written exam and SSB test
• Final merit list based on total marks (Written + SSB) subject to medical fitness and eligibility
• Selection done separately for male and female candidates in gender-pure manner

Salary/Stipend :

• During Training at NDA ( :3 years): Fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month (starting pay in Level 10)
• Cost of training including accommodation, books, uniforms, boarding, and medical treatment borne by Government
• Pocket expenses (approximately Rs. 3,000/- per month) to be met by candidates/parents
• Financial assistance of Rs. 2,500/- per month available if parent’s income is less than Rs. 45,000/- per month
• Initial Deposit on joining NDA: Rs. 40,376/- (includes pocket allowance, insurance, incidental expenditure)
• After Commissioning as Lieutenant:
  • Lieutenant: Pay Level 10 – Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/- per month
  • Captain: Pay Level 10B – Rs. 61,300 – 1,93,900/- per month
  • Major: Pay Level 11 – Rs. 69,400 – 2,07,200/- per month
  • Lt. Colonel: Pay Level 12A – Rs. 1,21,200 – 2,12,400/- per month
  • Colonel: Pay Level 13 – Rs. 1,30,600 – 2,15,900/- per month
• Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs. 15,500/- per month (fixed) from Lieutenant to Brigadier
• Additional Allowances:
  • Dearness Allowance (as applicable to civilians)
  • Dress Allowance: Rs. 20,000/- per year
  • Transport Allowance (TPTA): Rs. 7,200/- + DA (higher cities) or Rs. 3,600/- + DA (other places)
  • Children Education Allowance: Rs. 2,250/- per month per child (for two eldest children)
  • Hostel Subsidy: Rs. 6,750/- per month per child
  • Free Ration in kind in peace and field areas
  • Field Area Allowances (depending on posting)
  • Para Allowance: Rs. 10,500/- per month
  • Special Forces Allowance: Rs. 25,000/- per month
• Insurance Coverage:
  • During Training: Rs. 15 lakh (one-time premium of Rs. 7,200/-)
  • After Commissioning: Rs. 1.25 Crore (monthly subscription of Rs. 12,500/-)

Physical Standards

Height Requirements :

• Male Candidates: Minimum 157 cm
• Female Candidates: Minimum 152 cm
• For Flying Branch: Minimum 162.5 cm (both male and female)
• For Gorkhas and candidates from Hills of North Eastern region, Garhwal, Kumaon: Minimum reduced by 5 cm
• Growth allowance of 2 cm for candidates below 18 years

Weight Requirements:

• Weight should be proportionate to height and age as per prescribed charts
• Minimum and maximum weight limits specified for different height and age groups
• Weights below minimum or above maximum (except for documented body builders/wrestlers) not acceptable

Visual Standards for NDA/NA Entry:

• Uncorrected Vision: 6/12 in each eye
• Corrected Vision: 6/6 in each eye
• Limits of Myopia: -1.0 D Sph
• Limits of Hypermetropia: +2.0 D Sph
• Astigmatism: ±1.0 D Cyl (within limits of myopia and hypermetropia)
• Binocular Vision: III
• Colour Perception: CP Pass (assessed by Ishihara test at SMB, Anomaloscope at AMB/RMB)
• Kerato-refractive surgery (PRK/LASIK/SMILE) acceptable in all branches except submarine, diving and MARCO (subject to conditions)
• Surgery must be at least 12 months before examination, performed after age 20

Dental Standards :

• Minimum 14 dental points required
• Any 4 of 6 anterior teeth and any 6 of 10 posterior teeth must be present in good functional opposition
• Mouth opening of at least 30 mm required
• No more than two mobile teeth acceptable

Other Physical Standards :

• Chest circumference: Minimum 77 cm for male candidates
• Chest expansion: Minimum 5 cm
• Hearing: Must hear forced whisper at 610 cm distance with each ear
• Must be free from diseases, deformities, and medical conditions affecting military duty
• Permanent body tattoos only permitted on inner face of forearm (elbow to wrist) and back of hand

General Information/Instructions :

Candidates must apply online only through https://upsconline.nic.in

No other mode of application is allowed

Universal Registration Number (URN) required for all UPSC examinations

Live Photo Capture mandatory while filling Common Application Form (CAF)

Aadhaar Card strongly recommended as ID document

One Photo ID Card mandatory (Aadhaar/Voter Card/PAN/Passport/Driving License/School Photo ID)

Candidates cannot withdraw applications after submission

No corrections/alterations allowed after application submission

e-Admit Card will be issued on last working day of preceding week of examination

No Admit Card will be sent by post or email

Candidates must reach examination venue at least 30 minutes prior

Face Authentication mandatory at examination venue

Mobile phones and electronic devices strictly banned

Use Black Ball Pen only for marking answers

Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) available for 7 days after examination

Helpdesk: 011-24041001 or email: [email protected] (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days)

Government strives for gender balance – Women candidates encouraged to apply

Candidates already in Government Service or Armed Forces must inform their Head of Office/Commanding Officer

Candidates appearing for SSB interview entitled to AC III Tier railway fare for first appearance

 

How to Apply :

Step 1: Visit official website https://upsconline.nic.in

Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)

Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details

Step 4: Upload recent photograph and capture live photo

Step 5: Fill Examination Specific Module with preferences for Services (Army/Navy/Air Force in order of preference 1 to 4)

Step 6: Upload required documents and Photo ID details

Step 7: Select Examination Centre (first-apply-first-allot basis with ceiling on most centres)

Step 8: Pay application fee online (if applicable) through Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking

Step 9: Submit application and note down Application Number

Step 10: Download and save e-Admit Card when available

Important: Indicate at least one preference for service allocation (mandatory)

Note: Candidates must register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in after qualifying written exam to receive SSB call

Note: Candidates with Navy first choice: Register on www.joinindiannavy.gov.in

Note: Candidates with Air Force first choice: Also register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in for AFSB

Note: Email ID given to UPSC must be same as Directorate General of Recruiting website

 

Important Links :

Apply Online: Click here

Official Notification : Click here

Official Website: Click here

 

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