UPSC NDA 2026 Notification: Eligibility, Age Limit, Vacancy & Apply Online
NDA is the only route in this list where you can be selected before you turn 19, and the only one where the government pays for your degree. Candidates and parents consistently underestimate how narrow the window is — you are effectively eligible for two or three attempts across Classes 11 and 12, and then it closes permanently.
UPSC NDA 2026 at a glance
| Conducting body | Union Public Service Commission |
|---|---|
| Examination | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination |
| Total vacancies | 406 |
| Qualification | Class 12 pass; Physics and Mathematics required for Air Force and Navy |
| Age limit | 16–19 years as on 01 Jul 2027 (relaxation below) |
| Application dates | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 |
| Application fee | ₹100 (nil for SC, ST and sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs) |
| Exam date | Apr 2027 |
| Salary | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month (Level 10 (on commissioning)) |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in ↗ |
Are you eligible for UPSC NDA 2026?
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UPSC NDA age limit and relaxation 2026
The age limit for UPSC NDA 2026 is 16 to 19 years as on 01 Jul 2027. Your age is counted on that cutoff date, not on the day you apply — so a candidate who turns 20 after the cutoff date is still eligible.
| Category | Relaxation | Effective maximum age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | None | 19 years |
| OBC-NCL | +3 years | 22 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years | 24 years |
| PwD (General) | +10 years | 29 years |
| PwD (OBC-NCL) | +10 +3 years | 32 years |
| PwD (SC / ST) | +10 +5 years | 34 years |
PwD relaxation is added on top of your category relaxation, not instead of it. A PwD OBC-NCL candidate for UPSC NDA is eligible to 32, not 29. Full age relaxation rules →
UPSC NDA posts and salary
| Post | Department | Pay level | Monthly pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army wing | Indian Military Academy, Dehradun | Level-10 | ₹56,100–1,77,500 |
| Navy wing | Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala | Level-10 | ₹56,100–1,77,500 |
| Air Force wing | Air Force Academy, Hyderabad | Level-10 | ₹56,100–1,77,500 |
UPSC NDA selection process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Written exam | Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks). |
| SSB Interview | Five-day Services Selection Board process, 900 marks. |
| Medical | Detailed medical examination by a military board. |
Who should apply for UPSC NDA
For unmarried candidates aged 16 to 19 who want a commissioned career in the armed forces. Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 are mandatory for the Air Force and Navy wings, so the stream decision in Class 11 already determines your options.
- Candidates must be unmarried. Marriage during training results in discharge.
- Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 are compulsory for the Air Force and Navy wings, but not for the Army wing.
- The SSB is a five-day process assessing officer-like qualities, not academic knowledge.
UPSC NDA 2026 — आयु सीमा और योग्यता
राष्ट्रीय रक्षा अकादमी परीक्षा (UPSC NDA) 2026 के लिए आयु सीमा 01 Jul 2027 को 16 से 19 वर्ष है। OBC-NCL उम्मीदवारों को 3 वर्ष, SC/ST को 5 वर्ष और दिव्यांग (PwD) उम्मीदवारों को अपनी श्रेणी की छूट के अतिरिक्त 10 वर्ष की छूट मिलती है।
शैक्षणिक योग्यता: 12वीं पास; वायुसेना और नौसेना के लिए भौतिकी और गणित अनिवार्य। कुल 406 पद · वेतन ₹56,100 से ₹1,77,500 प्रति माह · आवेदन की अंतिम तिथि Jan 2027।
अपनी योग्यता मुफ़्त जाँचें →UPSC NDA 2026 — frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for NDA?
Can a commerce or arts student apply for NDA?
Is NDA a good option compared to preparing for CDS later?
Related exams
Useful guides
Vacancy figures, dates and salaries are compiled from official notifications and change between cycles. Age limits vary between posts within the same exam. Always confirm against the official notification on upsc.gov.in before applying.