UPSC NDA 2026 — Complete Guide: Syllabus, Eligibility, Salary & Cut-off
Last Updated: 23 August 2026 · By SarkariPaper Editorial
UPSC NDA 2026 Overview
UPSC NDA (National Defence Academy) is the gateway to joining Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as an officer after Class 12. Conducted twice a year by UPSC.
UPSC NDA 2026 is expected to notify approximately 404 vacancies for Army, Navy, and Air Force wings. Selection includes written exam (Mathematics + GAT) followed by SSB Interview and medical examination.
NDA cadets train at Khadakwasla for 3 years before commissioning as officers with starting salary of ₹56,100–₹70,000/month plus allowances.
UPSC NDA 2026 Important Dates
| Notification Release | 1 April 2026 |
| Application Opens | 1 April 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 25 April 2026 |
| Tier 1 Exam Date | 7 September 2026 |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in |
UPSC NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification
12th Pass with Physics & Mathematics (for Air Force & Navy). Army: 12th Pass any stream
Age Limit
16.5–19.5 years (as on 1st January 2026)
No age relaxation except as per government rules for reserved categories
Nationality
Indian Citizen / subject of Nepal or Bhutan
UPSC NDA Selection Process
Written Exam — Mathematics (300 marks) + GAT (600 marks)
SSB Interview — 5-day selection process (900 marks)
Medical Examination
Final merit = Written + SSB (subject to medical fitness)
UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2026
Paper 1 — Mathematics
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics | 120 | 300 |
| Total | 120 | 300 |
Paper 2 — GAT
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 200 |
| General Knowledge | 100 | 400 |
| Total | 150 | 600 |
UPSC NDA Syllabus 2026
Full Syllabus →Mathematics
English
General Knowledge
Download the complete UPSC NDA topic-wise syllabus PDF →Premium (₹199/yr)
UPSC NDA Posts — Which is Best?
UPSC NDA offers 3+ posts across different departments. Here's a comparison to help you decide your target post before filling the form.
| Post | Salary | Promotion |
|---|---|---|
Army Officer (via NDA) Lieutenant TOP PICK | ₹56,100 – ₹70,000 | fast |
Navy Officer (via NDA) Sub Lieutenant | ₹56,100 – ₹75,000 | fast |
Air Force Officer (via NDA) Flying Officer | ₹56,100 – ₹80,000 | fast |
UPSC NDA Salary Structure
Salary varies based on post, city tier (X/Y/Z) for HRA, and DA rate. Figures above are indicative for 2026 DA rates.
UPSC NDA Cut-off Marks
All Cut-offs →UPSC NDA 2025 Tier 1 Cut-off
Cut-offs vary by post. Detailed post-wise cut-offs (2015–2026) available withSarkariPaper Premium →
UPSC NDA Preparation Strategy
Phase 1: Maths + English (Month 1–3)
- ›Complete 11th–12th Maths syllabus thoroughly
- ›Practice 120 Maths questions in 2.5 hours
- ›Build English vocabulary — 20 words/day
- ›Solve previous 10 years NDA papers
Phase 2: GK + SSB Prep (Month 4–6)
- ›Study Lucent GK + current affairs
- ›Start physical fitness training daily
- ›Learn about Indian Armed Forces structure
- ›Practice SSB tasks: group discussion, lecturette