Union Public Service Commission · Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA, and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy
UPSC NDA: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Age Limit & Mock Tests
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination admits 12th-pass unmarried men and women to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and to the Indian Naval Academy. UPSC holds the written exam twice a year; the Services Selection Board then tests those who qualify.
UPSC NDA latest updates
New UPSC NDA notifications, admit cards, answer keys and results appear here as soon as they are posted. Browse Govt Jobs →
Important dates
Dates for the next UPSC NDA cycle (notification, last date, admit card, exam and result) appear here when they are announced. See the exam calendar →
Check your eligibility
- ✕Army wing of NDAAge 16–19
- ✕Air Force and Naval wings of NDAAge 16–19
- ✕Indian Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme)Age 16–19
UPSC NDA vacancies
Total, category-wise and post-wise vacancies appear here when the UPSC NDA notification is released.
Eligibility and age limit
| Posts | Qualification | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Army wing of NDA | 12th pass (10+2) or equivalent | 16–19 |
| Air Force and Naval wings of NDA | 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics | 16–19 |
| Indian Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics | 16–19 |
| Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / OBC / EWS | None: the same birth-date window applies to everyone |
Age is counted as on the birth-date window in each notice (NDA (II) 2026: born 1 January 2008 to 1 January 2011).
Only unmarried men and women can apply, and they must not marry until training is complete.
For NDA (II) 2026 the birth-date window was 1 January 2008 to 1 January 2011, which is about 16½ to 19½ years when the course starts on 1 July 2027.
Students appearing in 12th can apply; proof of passing was due by 10 June 2027. Students in 11th are not eligible.
There is no age relaxation for any category.
Air Force candidates who fail the Computerised Pilot Selection System cannot apply again for flying; they can be considered for ground duty and other services.
Application fee
Selection process
- 1Written examMathematics (300) and General Ability Test (600), by UPSC
- 2SSB interviewIntelligence and personality test · 900 marks · CPSS for Air Force
- 3Medical examBy a Board of Service Medical Officers
- 4Merit listWritten + SSB marks, then vacancies and preferences
UPSC NDA exam pattern
Written exam Objective · −1/3 of the marks of a question per wrong answer · no penalty for a blank
| Paper | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (code 01) | 2½ hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test (code 02): Part A English 200, Part B General Knowledge 400 | 2½ hours | 600 |
| Written total | 900 |
SSB interview Services Selection Board · 900 marks
| Stage | Tests |
|---|---|
| Stage I | Officer Intelligence Rating tests, Picture Perception & Description Test |
| Stage II (4 days) | Interview, group testing officer tasks, psychology tests, conference |
The Mathematics paper and Part B of the GAT are set in Hindi and English. Calculators are not allowed. Within General Knowledge, Physics carries about 25%, Chemistry 15%, General Science 10%, History and Freedom Movement 20%, Geography 20% and Current Events 10%. Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating tests and Picture Perception & Description Test. Stage II (4 days): interview, group testing tasks, psychology tests and conference.
UPSC NDA syllabus
Subject by subject. The number on a topic is how many practice questions we have for it.
Mathematics
Paper I · 300 marksEnglish
GAT Part A · 200 marksGeneral Knowledge
GAT Part B · 400 marksUPSC NDA cut-offs
Year-wise official cut-offs for every category appear here once they are published.
UPSC NDA salary by post
| Level / group | Posts | Pay scale |
|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | Lieutenant, Sub Lieutenant, Flying Officer: on commission after training | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 + MSP ₹15,500 a month |
Pay level and Military Service Pay (MSP) as printed in the notice. MSP of ₹15,500 a month is fixed from Lieutenant to Brigadier (and equivalent). Allowances depend on branch and posting. Cadets get a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 a month (starting pay of Level 10) during training at the service academy, such as IMA. At NDA the Government bears the cost of training, boarding, books, uniform and medical treatment; parents meet pocket expenses, which the notice says are not likely to exceed ₹3,000 a month.
UPSC NDA mock tests and previous year papers
Exams with a similar syllabus
Your NDA preparation already covers most of these exams.
UPSC NDA articles
Preparation strategy, syllabus breakdowns and cut-off analysis for UPSC NDA are on the way. Read the blog →
UPSC NDA frequently asked questions
Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes. NDA & NA (II) 2026 had 24 vacancies for women: 10 in the Army, 5 in the Navy, 6 in the Air Force and 3 in the Naval Academy entry. Men and women are selected separately against their own vacancies.
What is the age limit for NDA?
For NDA (II) 2026, unmarried candidates born between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2011 could apply. There is no relaxation for any category.
Can I apply for NDA while in 12th?
Yes. Candidates appearing in 12th can apply, but must submit proof of passing by the date in the notice (10 June 2027 for NDA (II) 2026). Students in 11th cannot apply.
Do I need Physics and Maths for NDA?
Only for the Air Force and Navy wings and the Naval Academy entry, which need 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Army wing accepts 12th in any stream.
Is there negative marking in NDA?
Yes. One third of the marks of a question are deducted for each wrong answer. Marking more than one answer counts as wrong. A blank question has no penalty.
How many marks is the NDA exam?
Mathematics 300 and General Ability Test 600 in the written exam, and 900 for the SSB interview: 1,800 in all.
When is the next NDA exam?
NDA & NA (II) 2026 was held on 13 September 2026; its written result is likely in October 2026 and SSB interviews in December 2026 to January 2027. UPSC’s 2027 calendar lists the NDA & NA (I) 2027 notice for 2 December 2026, applications till 22 December 2026 and the exam on 11 April 2027.
What is the salary after NDA?
On commission as Lieutenant (or Sub Lieutenant / Flying Officer) the pay is Level 10, ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500, plus Military Service Pay of ₹15,500 a month. Allowances are extra.
Sources: UPSC NDA & NA (II) 2026 notice, 10/2026-NDA-II (20-05-2026) · UPSC programme of examinations 2027 (as on 20-05-2026) (checked 14 Sept 2026). Always confirm in the official notice before applying.