NDA Exam Date 2026

The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination conducted by UPSC is one of the most prestigious defence entrance exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants search for updates related to NDA exam date 2026, NDA 2 exam date 2026, NDA admit card 2026, NDA eligibility criteria 2026, and NDA 2 result 2026.

If you are planning to appear for NDA 1 or NDA 2 2026, this guide will answer every possible question  from NDA form 2026 apply online, NDA paper date 2026, NDA examination time, to NDA eligibility criteria 2026 for girl, age limit for NDA exam, and physical requirements.

Last Updated: As per UPSC examination calendar & previous trends

Reviewed by the OnJob Editorial Team — career researchers covering jobs, salaries and hiring across India. Questions? editorial@onjob.io

NDA Exam Date 2026  NDA 1 & NDA 2 Schedule

The NDA examination is conducted twice a year:

• NDA I (NDA 1)

• NDA II (NDA 2)

NDA Paper Date 2026 (Expected Schedule)

Examination	Notification	NDA Paper Date 2026	Result
NDA 1 2026	Jan 2026	April 2026	May 2026
NDA 2 2026	May 2026	September 2026	NDA 2 Result 2026 Dec 2026

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NDA 2 2026 Exam Date  Detailed Explanation

The NDA 2 2026 exam date is expected in September 2026, conducted offline (pen & paper mode) by UPSC.

NDA Examination Time

• Mathematics: 10:00 AM  12:30 PM

• GAT: 2:00 PM  4:30 PM

Candidates must reach the exam centre at least 60 minutes before the NDA examination time.

UPSC NDA Admit Card 2026  Download Process & Release Date

The UPSC NDA NA Admit Card is released 3 weeks before the exam on the official UPSC website.

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NDA Admit Card 2026 Release Date

• NDA 1 Admit Card: March 2026

• NDA 2 Admit Card: August 2026

How to Download NDA Admit Card 2026

1. Visit UPSC official website

2. Click on UPSC NDA Admit Card 2026

3. Enter Registration ID / Roll Number

4. Download & print the admit card

 Without the NDA NA admit card, candidates are not allowed inside the exam hall.

NDA 2 Result 2026  How & When to Check

The NDA 2 result 2026 will be declared in December 2026 in PDF format.

Steps to Check NDA 2 2026 Result

• Visit UPSC website

• Open NDA II Result PDF

• Search roll number

• Download for future reference

 Qualified candidates proceed to SSB Interview.

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026  Complete Overview

Understanding NDA eligibility criteria 2026 is crucial before filling the NDA form.

Eligibility for NDA Examination Includes

• Nationality

• Age limit

• Educational qualification

• Physical standards

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NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026  Age Limit

Age Limit for NDA Exam

Candidates must be born between specific dates notified by UPSC.

Exam	Date of Birth Range
NDA 1 2026	July 2007 July 2010
NDA 2 2026	Jan 2008 Jan 2011

✔ NDA age limit for general category is same as all categories  No age relaxation

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NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026  Qualification

Qualification of NDA / NDA Qualification

Wing	National Defence Academy Qualification
Army	Class 12 (Any stream)
Navy	Class 12 with Physics & Mathematics
Air Force	Class 12 with Physics & Mathematics

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NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026  Class 12 Percentage

Many aspirants search:

• nda eligibility criteria 2026 12th percentage

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 Important: There is NO minimum percentage required in Class 12 to apply for NDA.

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Girls

Girls are fully eligible for NDA.

NDA eligibility criteria 2026 for girl is same as boys Same age limit, qualification & physical standards

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026  Height & Weight

Minimum Height Requirement

• Army & Air Force: 157 cm

• Navy: 157 cm

• Girls (relaxation applies in some cases)

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NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026 PDF & Hindi

• NDA eligibility criteria 2026 PDF is released with notification

• NDA eligibility criteria 2026 in Hindi is also available on UPSC website

This helps Hindimedium aspirants clearly understand eligibility for NDA test.

NDA Form 2026 Apply Online  StepbyStep Guide

The NDA form 2026 apply online process is completely online via UPSC.

Steps

1. One Time Registration (OTR)

2. Fill NDA application

3. Upload documents

4. Pay application fee

5. Submit & download form

Apply early to avoid server issues.

NDA Examination Pattern 2026

Paper	Marks	Duration
Mathematics	300	2.5 Hours
GAT	600	2.5 Hours
Total	900

Negative marking applies.

What Are the Best Study Materials for NDA Preparation?

Choosing the right study material is critical for cracking NDA.

Recommended NDA Study Materials

• NCERT (Class 912)

• Previous year NDA papers

• Mathematics objective books

• English grammar & vocabulary books

• Current affairs magazines

Aspirants preparing seriously should combine selfstudy + test practice.

Are There Structured NDA Preparation Courses for Students After 10th Grade?

Yes. Many aspirants start NDA preparation after Class 10.

Structured NDA Preparation Options

• Schoolintegrated NDA programs

• Online NDA foundation courses

• Residential NDA academies

These programs focus on:

• Early discipline

• Physical training

• Concept clarity

• SSBoriented personality development

Career Opportunities & Job Awareness for NDA Aspirants

Apart from defence preparation, students should stay aware of broader career and job trends.

Platforms like onjob.io help aspirants explore emerging job roles and skillbased employment opportunities while preparing for competitive exams.

Similarly, onjob.io/jobs is useful for tracking verified job listings and understanding market demand, especially for students planning backup career options alongside NDA preparation.

Being informed keeps aspirants mentally confident and careerready.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  NDA 2026

Q1. What is the NDA 2 exam date 2026?

NDA 2 2026 is expected in September 2026.

Q2. When will NDA admit card 2026 be released?

The NDA admit card 2026 will be released 3 weeks before the exam.

Q3. What is the NDA 2 result 2026 date?

NDA 2 result 2026 is expected in December 2026.

Q4. What is the eligibility for NDA examination?

Candidates must meet age limit, qualification, nationality, and physical standards set by UPSC.

Q5. Can 12th appearing students apply for NDA 2026?

Yes, 12th appearing candidates are eligible.

Conclusion

The NDA exam 2026 is not just an entrance test  it is a gateway to serving the nation through the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Understanding NDA exam date 2026, NDA 2 examination date, UPSC NDA admit card 2026, NDA eligibility criteria 2026, and age limit for NDA exam is the first step toward success.

If you stay updated, follow a structured preparation strategy, and meet the NDA examination eligibility, clearing NDA is absolutely achievable.

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