NDA (National Defence Academy) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the NDA (National Defence Academy), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
~$1.50 (INR 100)
Provider
UPSC
Validity
Twice yearly
Available
India
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
1-3 years of hands-on experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- Marital status: only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible, and candidates must undertake not to marry until they complete full training. A candidate who marries during training is discharged and must refund all expenditure incurred on them by the government.
- Age: for NDA and NA Examination II, 2026, candidates must have been born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011, which corresponds to 16.5 to 19.5 years at the start of the course on 1 July 2027.
- Date of birth proof: only the date recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate is accepted. Horoscopes, affidavits, municipal birth extracts and service records are not accepted, and no change is permitted after submission.
- Nationality: a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, specified East African countries or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. The last two categories need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India, except Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
- Education for the Army wing of NDA: a 12th Class pass under the 10+2 pattern from a State Education Board or a University.
- Education for the Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: a 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Candidates currently appearing in the 12th Class examination may apply, but must produce the original certificate at the SSB interview or forward self-attested photocopies to Army HQ or Naval HQ by the deadline stated in the notification.
- Fee: INR 100, payable online. Female candidates, SC and ST candidates, and sons of JCOs, NCOs and other ranks as specified in the notification are exempt. OBC and EWS candidates receive no exemption. The fee is never refunded.
- Selection also requires clearing the Services Selection Board two-stage process and being found medically fit.
Number of Questions
UPSC does not state a question count in the notification. In the previous years' NDA question papers that the Commission publishes on upsc.gov.in, Mathematics has carried 120 questions and the General Ability Test 150 questions, of which 50 are English and 100 are General Knowledge. The published maximum marks are 300 for Mathematics and 600 for the General Ability Test.
Duration
Two papers of 2 hours 30 minutes each on the same day. For NDA and NA II 2026, Mathematics ran 10:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. and the General Ability Test 2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Question Format
Objective multiple-choice questions only, in both papers, Four alternatives for every question, Mathematics questions across algebra, matrices, trigonometry, calculus, vectors, statistics and probability, English grammar, usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion questions, General Knowledge questions in Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History and Freedom Movement, Geography and Current Events, Answers marked on an OMR sheet in black ball pen only
Passing Requirement
UPSC does not publish a fixed passing score. The Commission has discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects, and it publishes written-stage and final cutoffs after each cycle on upsc.gov.in. Penalty: one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer; more than one marked answer counts as wrong; a blank answer carries no penalty.
How It Is Delivered
Offline pen-and-paper examination with OMR answer sheets at allotted centres. Face authentication is mandatory at the venue, entry closes 30 minutes before each session begins, and no candidate is admitted after that under any circumstance.
Languages Offered
English, Hindi (Mathematics and Part B of the General Ability Test are set bilingually; Part A English is in English only)
Visit the official UPSC certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the NDA (National Defence Academy)?
Marital status: only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible, and candidates must undertake not to marry until they complete full training. A candidate who marries during training is discharged and must refund all expenditure incurred on them by the government.. Age: for NDA and NA Examination II, 2026, candidates must have been born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011, which corresponds to 16.5 to 19.5 years at the start of the course on 1 July 2027.. Date of birth proof: only the date recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate is accepted. Horoscopes, affidavits, municipal birth extracts and service records are not accepted, and no change is permitted after submission.. Nationality: a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, specified East African countries or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. The last two categories need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India, except Gorkha subjects of Nepal.. Education for the Army wing of NDA: a 12th Class pass under the 10+2 pattern from a State Education Board or a University.. Education for the Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: a 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.. Candidates currently appearing in the 12th Class examination may apply, but must produce the original certificate at the SSB interview or forward self-attested photocopies to Army HQ or Naval HQ by the deadline stated in the notification.. Fee: INR 100, payable online. Female candidates, SC and ST candidates, and sons of JCOs, NCOs and other ranks as specified in the notification are exempt. OBC and EWS candidates receive no exemption. The fee is never refunded.. Selection also requires clearing the Services Selection Board two-stage process and being found medically fit..
How much does the NDA (National Defence Academy) cost?
The NDA (National Defence Academy) exam costs ~$1.50 (INR 100). This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the NDA (National Defence Academy)?
Visit the official UPSC certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the NDA (National Defence Academy)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for NDA (National Defence Academy)?
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