NDA Exam Date 2026 NDA 1 & NDA 2 Schedule, Admit Card & Preparation Guide

The UPSC NDA exam is one of the major updates that defence aspirants would be seeking if they are aiming for a career in the National Defence Academy. UPSC, the conducting body, holds the NDA exam for selection of students to the Army, Air Force, and Navy wings of the NDA twice every year, i.e., NDA 1 and NDA 2.

All aspirants need to keep themselves updated about the schedule of NDA exams, when the NDA application forms will be released, the exam date, the NDA admit cards, and the NDA selection process dates.

This guide shares the NDA Exam Dates 2026, the full timeline of the NDA application process, exam pattern, strategy to prepare for the examination, and the guidelines by the UPSC for the 2026 examination.

The NDA Exam is for admission in the Army, Navy & Air Force branches of the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). On qualifying the written exam, the candidates are selected through an SSB Interview, a medical fitness test, and finally merit list selection.

The NDA written exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year to recruit eligible unmarried male and female candidates to join the Armed Forces as Officers. It comprises:

• Mathematics Paper
• General Ability Test (GAT)
• SSB Interview
• Medical Examination

Candidates qualifying all these rounds of the examination shall be selected to join the National Defence Academy (NDA) for officer training, after which they join their respective service academies for higher training.

The UPSC has published the NDA annual examination calendar months in advance, and the aspirants are advised to closely follow all the steps of the recruitment and should be alert enough to know every detail and updates about the examination.

UPSC releases the NDA 1 Exam Admit Card in the 1st week of April (02/04/2026), 1or 2 weeks before the conduct of the written exam. The e-Admit Card of UPSC NDA 1 can be downloaded from the Official UPSC Website with the help of their Registration ID/ Roll Number.

The result of the UPSC NDA 1 2026 written examination was declared on May 8, 2026.

The UPSC NDA 2 2026 admit ticket will be out in the first week of September 2026, whereas the written exam result PDF will probably be released by the UPSC in October 2026 (about 3 or 4 weeks after the exam).

*Candidates should refer to the official UPSC notification for confirmed dates.

Candidates must complete the online application through the UPSC portal by:

• Completing one-time registration (if applicable)
• Filling in personal and educational details
• Selecting the preferred examination centre
• Uploading required documents
• Paying the examination fee (if applicable)
• Submitting the final application

UPSC may provide a correction window for certain fields. Candidates should check the official notification for availability and permissible edits.

The examination fee can be paid through the payment modes specified by UPSC. Certain categories are exempt from paying the fee as per the official notification.

Before submitting the application:

• Verify personal details
• Confirm educational information
• Upload a clear photograph and signature
• Choose the correct examination centre
• Preview the application
• Save and print the confirmation page

The admit card is available around one week before the examination.

Candidates can download the admit card by:

1. Visiting the UPSC website.
2. Opening the admit card portal.
3. Entering the required credentials.
4. Downloading and printing the admit card.

• Printed admit card
• Valid photo identity proof
• Passport-size photographs

Candidates should:

• Reach the exam centre before reporting time.
• Verify the examination venue in advance.
• Read all instructions printed on the admit card.
• Avoid carrying prohibited items.

Candidates should report well before the gate closing time mentioned on the admit card.

• Duration: 2½ Hours
• Maximum Marks: 300

• Duration: 2½ Hours
• Maximum Marks: 600

• Admit Card
• Valid Photo ID
• Black Ball Point Pen (as instructed)

• Mobile phones
• Smart watches
• Bluetooth devices
• Calculators
• Notes and study material
• Electronic gadgets

The written examination consists of two objective papers.

Each paper lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes.

• Mathematics: 300 Marks
• General Ability Test: 600 Marks

The penalties for the UPSC NDA 2024 examination are as follows:

An incorrect answer will incur 1/3rd of the marks. If a question is left unattempted, there is no negative marking.

The section-wise break-up is as follows:

Maths: 120 questions; each question worth 2.5 marks; 1/3 marks to be deducted per incorrect answer.

General Ability Test(GAT): 150 questions; each question is worth 4 marks; 1/3 marks deducted for every incorrect answer.

The examination is conducted in offline pen-and-paper mode using OMR answer sheets.

After conducting the exam, UPSC releases a list of candidates shortlisted for the SSB Interview.

Candidates who qualify appear for an SSB assessment process that goes on for 5days. Here, various aspects are tested, such as intelligence, personality, leadership qualities, command capabilities, effective communication, and officer qualities.

Candidates nominated by the SSB are sent for medical examination in accordance with prescribed standards of military medical examinations.

The final merit list of candidates will be based on written examination marks and SSB interview marks, after considering medical fitness, subject to vacancies.

Selected candidates will undergo training at the National Defence Academy in accordance with their course schedules.

• Complete the entire curriculum.
• Develop a solid conceptual foundation.
• Attempt the past year's question papers.
• Try a weekly mock examination.

• Revise the syllabus
• Increase the frequency of mock tests.
• Work on speed and accuracy.
• Prepare weak topics for a better score

• Check the formulas and key ideas.
• Solve full papers.
• Work on developing your time management skills.
• Do not introduce any new topics.

• Revise concise notes.
• Sleep adequately.
• Organise exam documents.
• Visit the exam centre location if possible.
• Stay calm and avoid unnecessary stress.

Candidates can lose marks or be unnecessarily troubled by errors that could have been avoided. Following the directions of the UPSC quite strictly and self- discipline will make the experience of appearing in the examination very easy.

Missing Important Deadlines: Several candidates apply until the last day, increasing the risk of a technical error, an aborted process, or even the submission of the form. Register well in advance of the deadline and remember to save a copy of the confirmation of registration.

Ignoring the Official Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Preparation could lack depth if you rely on old/unofficial study materials. Make sure to stick to the current UPSC NDA exam pattern and syllabus for Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT).

Not Practising Mock Tests: When you regularly take mock tests, it helps to build your speed as you try to find quicker and easier ways to solve the problems, which also improves your accuracy. Always try to take a full-length mock test as you would during the actual test, and learn from the mistakes you made in the test.

Poor Time Management During the Exam: A considerable amount of time spent on hard questions can result in fewer questions attempted. Attempt all easy questions first, and if there is time, return to the difficult questions later.

Ignoring Negative Marking: Because of negative marking, random guessing can bring down the marks. Only try to attend to questions where you are in a position to eliminate a few options or when you feel confident about the answer.

Carrying Prohibited Items: Electronic devices like Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth gadgets, Calculators, study materials, etc are prohibited inside the exam hall. UPSC only permits the carrying of the items approved by it.

Forgetting Essential Documents: Do a final check of your required documents a day before the exam. A printed admit card and a valid photo identity proof are mandatory.

Making Errors on the OMR Answer Sheet: Any errors in filling the roll number, using the wrong pen, or stray markings on the OMR sheet will not be considered for evaluation. Please read all the instructions given to fill in the answer sheet before filling it.

Upload clear recent photographs and signatures in the format and specifications as mentioned in the notification.

Candidates are required to adhere to all security checks, reporting times, and seating arrangements as prescribed in the admit card.

Carry the original valid photo identity proof specified by UPSC along with the admit card.

• Fill in the correct roll no.
• Cover with shadow circles.
• Only use the pen allowed.
• No overwriting or puncture to the OMR sheet.

Candidates should keep track of the latest updates related to the NDA exam on the official site of the UPSC.

In exceptional circumstances, examination dates may be revised. Candidates should rely only on official UPSC notices.

All information regarding the notification, admit card, examination, result, and SSB process is published through official UPSC notifications.

• Final registration should be completed in time, before the last date.
• Save all the documents you have submitted.
• Keep an eye on the UPSC website for notices.
• Prepare always in line with the exam calendar.
• Schedule updates should not be sought from unofficial sources.