Defence & policeNotification soon
UPSC CDS
Combined Defence Services Examination
- Age
- 19–25
- Qualification
- Graduate
- Next
- 2 Dec 2026
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination
UPSC NDA · also known as NDA exam, NDA & NA
Overview
Held twice a year to select cadets for the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy straight after school. Open to unmarried men and women.
Posts: Army, Navy and Air Force cadets (NDA), Naval Academy 10+2 cadet entry.
Important dates
| What | Date | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | 13 Sept 2026 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2026 |
| Notification | 2 Dec 2026 in 23 days | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2027 |
| Last date to apply | 22 Dec 2026 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2027 |
| Exam | 11 Apr 2027 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (I), 2027 |
| Notification | 12 May 2027 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2027 |
| Last date to apply | 1 Jun 2027 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2027 |
| Exam | 19 Sept 2027 | N.D.A. & N.A. Examination (II), 2027 |
From the UPSC calendar (source). Dates can change.
Usual yearly cycle
| Notification | December and May |
|---|---|
| Applications | December–January and May–June |
| Exam | April and September |
| Result | Written result 1–2 months after the exam |
Eligibility
Age
16.5–19.5 years. Born within a 2½-year window that the notice states (about 16½ to 19½ years at the start of the course). Unmarried.
| Category | Upper age limit | Attempts |
|---|---|---|
| General | 19.5 years | No limit |
| EWS | 19.5 years | No limit |
| OBC | 19.5 years | No limit |
| SC | 19.5 years | No limit |
| ST | 19.5 years | No limit |
| PwBD (General) | 19.5 years | No limit |
PwBD candidates from OBC/SC/ST get their category relaxation on top (central government rules). Ex-servicemen and some departmental candidates get further relaxation as per the notice.
Qualification
12th pass or appearing. Army wing: any stream. Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy: 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Nationality
Citizen of India (some posts also accept subjects of Nepal or Bhutan and certain persons of Indian origin, as the notice states).
Exam pattern
1. Written exam
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2½ hours | ⅓ |
| General Ability Test (English 200, General Knowledge 400) | 150 | 600 | 2½ hours | ⅓ |
2. SSB interview
Five days of intelligence and personality tests at a Services Selection Board.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Time | Negative marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSB interview | — | 900 | — | — |
Syllabus
An outline of the main topics. The official notification has the full syllabus.
Mathematics
- Algebra
- Matrices and determinants
- Trigonometry
- Analytical geometry (2D and 3D)
- Differential calculus
- Integral calculus and differential equations
- Vector algebra
- Statistics and probability
General Ability Test
- English: grammar, vocabulary, comprehension
- Physics, Chemistry and General Science
- History, freedom movement
- Geography
- Current events
Selection process
Written exam (900) → SSB interview (900) → medical exam. Merit out of 1,800.
Salary and vacancies
Pay: Stipend of ₹56,100 a month during training; Lieutenant (Level 10) on commissioning (approx.).
Vacancies: About 400 seats per exam.
Latest notices
- Result
Frequently asked questions
Can women apply?
Yes, unmarried women have been eligible since 2021.
Do I need PCM for the Army wing?
No, any stream works for the Army wing.
This page summarises the most recent official notification and is approximate: age limits, pattern, fees and vacancies change from year to year. Always read the official notification on upsc.gov.in before applying.