UPSC NDA Selection Process 2026: Written Exam and SSB Interview

UPSC NDA Selection Process 2026

The UPSC NDA & NA Selection Process 2026 is conducted in two distinct phases, each designed to assess and evaluate both male and female candidates rigorously. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) begins the NDA selection process 2026 with the release of the notification and application form. The first phase entails a comprehensive written examination, the initial screening stage. Successful candidates from this stage are invited to progress to the second phase, the SSB Interview. The UPSC NDA selection process 2026 is a gateway to a prestigious career in the armed forces. The application form for the NDA 1 exam 2026 was made available on December 10. The window to fill the online form will be available till December 30. The UPSC NDA & NA exam 1 will be held on April 12, 2026, while the NDA 2 exam will be held on September 13, 2026. The NDA 2 application form 2026 will be available fromMay 20 to June 8, 2026. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will declare the results for UPSC NDA & NA I 2026 in May 2026. The NDA 2 result 2026 will be announced in September 2026. 

The selection process for the SSB Interview is where candidates' intelligence and personality are thoroughly evaluated. The interview process, organized by the Services Selection Board (SSB), is a critical juncture for aspiring officers. The SSB Interviews for qualified candidates are expected to be conducted between July and September 2026. Furthermore, candidates who meet the NDA Cut-off for their respective categories must undergo interviews before the Army, Navy, and Air Force selection boards. The UPSC NDA & NA Selection Process tests the candidates' knowledge and skills and their suitability for a career in the armed forces.

NDA Selection Process 2026 - Stage 1 and 2

The Selection Centre or the Air Force Selection Board or Naval Selection Board has introduced a two-stage selection process. 

• All the candidates will have to go through stage 1 on the first day when he reached the selection centre. Only the candidates who qualify for stage 1 will be sent to stage 2. Candidates who qualify for stage 2 will be required to submit Original Documents along with the photocopy of them. 

• Candidates who appear for the Service Selection Board can go through the test at their own risk. They will not be entitled to any compensation from the Government for any such injury which may sustain during the course. Guardian or parents of the candidate must sign the certificate agreeing to this condition.  

• In order to be acceptable in air Force or Navy, the candidates will have to secure the minimum qualifying marks in 1. The written examination prescribed by the Commission. 2. Officer potentiality Test conducted by the SSB at their own discretion. All SSB qualified candidates preferring Air Force branch must qualify CPSS. 

• Satisfying these conditions, a list of qualified candidates will be made on the basis of the total marks secured by them in the written examination and Services Selection Test Board. The final allocation/selection for admission to the Army, Navy, Air Force of the National Defence Academy and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of Indian Naval Academy will be made up to the number of vacancies available subject to eligibility, medical fitness and merit-cum-preference of the candidates.  

• Candidates who are eligible to get admission in several services will be given options as per their preferences are given during form filling. After choosing one of the services the candidate would have to close the other options. 

NDA Selection Process 2026 - Written Exam and SSB Interview

STAGE 1: Written Examination

The written examination is the first phase of the selection of candidates under NDA & NA 2026. The successful candidates from the first phase are invited to participate in the next round.

• The entrance examination is a 900 marks test, which is further divided into two sections such as Mathematics and General Ability Test.
• The entrance examination is 150 minutes long.
• The complete entrance examination comprises of objective type questions.
• It is an online entrance examination. Candidates are required to obtain the minimum qualifying marks decided by the commission for participating in the selection process.
• The candidates qualifying the written examination are required to sit for the interview consisting of Psychological Aptitude Test and Intelligence or Personality test.

We have provided the entire structure of the written examination below.

Check out the subject-wise UPSC NDA marks distribution is given below.

• In the GAT paper, for each correct answer, candidates will be given four marks
• For each wrong answer in the GAT paper, 1.33 marks will be deducted 
• For each correct answer in the Mathematics paper, applicants will get 2.5 marks
• For each wrong answer in the Mathematics paper, 0.83 marks will be deducted

STAGE 2: SSB Interview

The SSB Interview is the second and final round of NDA Selection Process. The SSB Interview involves two separate tests such as Psychological Aptitude Test and Intelligence Test.

Only those candidates who qualify in Phase 1 are called for the second stage/remaining tests. The candidates who will qualify phase II have to submit the following Original Certificates along with one photocopy each of:

• Original 10th pass certificate or equivalent in support of date of birth,
• Original 10+2 pass certificate or equivalent in support of educational qualification.

To be acceptable, candidates for the Army/Navy/Naval Academy and Air Force should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in:

• Written examination of NDA 2026 as decided by the Commission.
• Officer Potentiality Test as set by the Services Selection Board at their discretion.

SSB Interview Day-Wise

Note: Apart from this, candidates with the first choice for the Air Force, and all the SSB qualified candidates with one choice as Air Force should separately qualify the PABT (Pilot Aptitude Test) and Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

UPSC NDA & NA Selection Process - Documents Required

The candidates shortlisted for the interview have to carry and later on, submit the following documents to the academy for verification of their eligibility. Candidates claiming admission under reserved categories should carry all the relevant documents.

• Original 10+2 or Class 12th passing certificate or equivalent in support of educational qualification.

• Class 10th Board Passing certificate or equivalent supported with the Birth Certificate which works as a proof of age.

• Certificate of Eligibility for a certain category of students.

• Category or Cast certificate applicable to SC, ST, OBC etc.

• Identity and Address Proof.

Can Girls Join NDA?

Yes, girls can also join the National Defence Academy (NDA). On August 17, 2021, the Supreme Court passed a landmark judgement allowing women candidates to take the National Defence Academy entrance exam. The ruling came after Kush Kalra filed a writ petition seeking permission for women to take the exam. The NDA selection process and eligibility criteria are the same for both male and female candidates. However, the Court has set separate medical standards for women. The women applicants must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years old. 12th-pass candidates or those who appeared in Class 12 can apply for the NDA exam.

What After NDA Selection Process?

Candidates who successfully complete the NDA selection procedure are trained in their various branches at the National Defence Academy (Army, Navy, or Air Force). Here are some quick facts about the NDA's training programme:

• Training is only available to those who make the final merit list.
• The initial training lasts for three years.
• Candidates that advance to training after successfully completing the NDA selection procedure will be paid a stipend of INR 56,100 each month.