What is the exact age bracket and educational qualification for NDA 2026?

Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age on the day of joining. For the Army Wing, passing Class 12 (10+2 pattern) in any stream (Arts, Commerce, Science) is sufficient. For the Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy, passing Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) is strictly mandatory. Candidates currently appearing in Class 12 are also eligible.

Where are the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview centers located across India?

Candidates who clear the UPSC written exam are called for the 5-day SSB interview at designated selection centers: Army Selection Centers (Allahabad/Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Jalandhar), Navy Selection Boards (Bhopal, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam), and Air Force Selection Boards - AFSB (Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, Guwahati).

What is the stipend and starting in-hand salary of a Lieutenant commissioned from NDA?

Cadets receive a monthly stipend of ₹56,100 throughout their final training year at IMA/INA/AFA. Upon commissioning as a Lieutenant in the Army (or Sub-Lieutenant in Navy / Flying Officer in Air Force) at Pay Level 10, the starting basic pay is ₹56,100 + Military Service Pay (MSP of ₹15,500/month) + DA (50%+) + High Altitude / Field Area allowances. The gross monthly salary is ₹98,000 – ₹1,20,000, with net in-hand monthly pay of approximately ₹88,000 – ₹1,05,000 plus full military healthcare (ECHS) and mess accommodations.

Can female candidates apply for UPSC NDA?

Yes! Following the Supreme Court ruling in 2021, female candidates are fully eligible to apply for Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy with identical written and SSB standards.

Is class 12th Mathematics compulsory for all wings in NDA?

No. For the Army Wing, candidates from any stream (Arts, Commerce, Science) are eligible. However, for Air Force and Navy Wings, 12th standard with Physics and Mathematics is mandatory.

What is the minimum qualifying score in individual papers?

UPSC mandates a minimum qualifying cutoff of 25% marks in each individual paper (at least 75 marks out of 300 in Mathematics, and at least 150 marks out of 600 in GAT).

Compare Exam

Union Public Service CommissionDefence Services⚡ High (Top 1%)

UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination)

India's premier tri-service military academy commissioning commissioned officers into Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Exam FrequencyTwice a year (NDA-I in April, NDA-II in September)

Typical Exam WindowApril (NDA-I) & September (NDA-II)

Total Merit Basis1800 Marks

Official Board PortalUPSC Official

1. Overview & Eligibility Criteria

Mandatory educational background, age limits, pay scale, and service designations

Executive Summary & Scope

Conducted twice a year (NDA-I and NDA-II) by the Union Public Service Commission, the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination is the premier entry point for young male and female aspirants after 10+2. Successful candidates undergo rigorous 3-year tri-service academic and physical military training at NDA Khadakwasla, Pune, followed by 1 year at respective service academies, graduating with a prestigious permanent commission as Lieutenant, Sub-Lieutenant, or Flying Officer.

Educational Qualification

For Army Wing: Passed 12th Class of 10+2 pattern or equivalent. For Air Force and Navy Wings: Passed 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). Final year 12th students eligible.

Age Bracket & Relaxations

16.5 to 19.5 Years

No age relaxation exists for any category in NDA as per armed forces service rules.

Permitted Attempts

General / UR: Limited only by age window (approx. 4-6 attempts max)

OBC: Same age criteria (No relaxation)

SC / ST: Same age criteria (No relaxation)

Pay Scale & Vacancies

Starting Basic Pay ₹56,100 (Pay Level 10) + Military Service Pay (MSP) ₹15,500 + Flying / Hard Area / High Altitude Allowances + Free Rations & Military Medical Care

Annual Vacancies: Approx. 400 vacancies per cycle (~800 per year including female cadets)

Services, Cadres & Appointed Designations:

✦Lieutenant (Indian Army) - Platoon Commander, Infantry, Armoured Corps, Artillery
✦Sub-Lieutenant (Indian Navy) - Executive, Engineering, Electrical, Naval Aviation
✦Flying Officer (Indian Air Force) - Fighter Pilot, Transport Pilot, Helicopter Pilot, Ground Duty
✦Cadet in Indian Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme - B.Tech degree pathway)

2. Detailed Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

Stage-wise breakdown, paper timing, question distribution, and negative marking rules

Negative Marking Rule: 1/3rd penalty: 0.83 marks in Mathematics (per 2.5m Q) and 1.33 marks in GAT (per 4m Q).

Mode: Offline Pen & Paper (OMR) + 5-Day Residential SSB Interview | Medium: Bilingual (Hindi / English) for question paper.

Stage 1

Written Examination

Total: 900 Marks • 5 Hours (2.5 Hours each paper)

Two pen-and-paper OMR objective tests conducted on a single Sunday. Paper 1 (Mathematics 300 marks) and Paper 2 (General Ability Test GAT 600 marks). Candidates must score minimum 25% qualifying marks in each paper to be considered.

Paper / Component	Format	Questions	Marks	Duration	Negative Marking & Nature
Mathematics (Paper-I) Algebra, Matrices & Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry 2D & 3D, Differential Calculus & Integral Calculus, Vector Algebra, Statistics & Probability	Objective (MCQ)	120	300	2.5 Hours (10:00 AM – 12:30 PM)	Mandatory minimum 25% (75 marks) required to clear
General Ability Test (GAT - Paper-II) Part A: English (50 Qs / 200 Marks), Part B: General Knowledge (100 Qs / 400 Marks: Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events)	Objective (MCQ)	150	600	2.5 Hours (2:00 PM – 4:30 PM)	Mandatory minimum 25% (150 marks) required to clear

Stage 2

Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview

Total: 900 Marks • 5 Consecutive Days

Comprehensive 5-day personality, psychological, and physical group evaluation at Service Selection Centers (Allahabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Jalandhar, Gandhinagar, Dehradun). Evaluates 15 Officer Like Qualities (OLQs).

Paper / Component	Format	Marks	Duration	Negative Marking & Nature
Stage-I: Screening Test (Day 1) Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test (Verbal & Non-Verbal), Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) & Group Story Narration	Practical / Skill Test	Qualifying	Day 1	Screening round: Only recommended candidates stay for Stage-II (4 days)
Stage-II: Psychological Tests (Day 2) Thematic Apperception Test (TAT - 12 slides), Word Association Test (WAT - 60 words), Situation Reaction Test (SRT - 60 scenarios), Self Description Test (SDT)	Practical / Skill Test	Evaluated by Psychologist	Day 2 Morning	Standard evaluation
Stage-II: Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks (Day 3 & 4) Group Discussion (GD), Group Planning Exercise (GPE), Progressive Group Task (PGT) & Half Group Task (HGT), Individual Obstacles (10 outdoor obstacles), Command Task & Final Group Task (FGT)	Practical / Skill Test	Evaluated by GTO	Day 3 & 4	Standard evaluation
Stage-II: Personal Interview & Conference (Day 4 & 5) Personal Interview with Board President / Deputy President, Conference evaluation by all assessors	Interview	Interviewing Officer	Day 4 & Day 5	Final Board Conference recommendation decides selection into 900 SSB marks

3. Subject-Wise Syllabus & High-Yield Topics

Detailed curriculum modules categorized by standard foundations vs. high-yield scoring chapters

Mathematics (Paper-I)

Weightage: 300 Marks (120 Questions)

Core Syllabus Modules:

Trigonometry (Identities, Heights & Distances)Calculus (Limits, Continuity, Differentiation, Definite Integrals, Maxima & Minima)Coordinate Geometry (Circles, Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola)Algebra (Complex numbers, Binomial theorem, Sequences & Series, Logarithms)Matrices & DeterminantsProbability & Statistics

High-Yield / Frequently Repeated Questions:

★ Trigonometric formulas & equations★ Matrices determinants direct properties★ Definite integrals shortcut tricks★ Probability distribution & combinations

General Ability Test: English (Part A)

Weightage: 200 Marks (50 Questions)

Core Syllabus Modules:

Spotting errors in sentencesAntonyms and Synonyms in contextIdioms and phrasesSentence rearrangement (PQRS)Reading Comprehension passages

High-Yield / Frequently Repeated Questions:

★ Spotting errors (Subject-verb agreement & prepositions)★ Vocabulary synonyms and antonyms (80+ marks)

General Knowledge & Science (Part B)

Weightage: 400 Marks (100 Questions)

Core Syllabus Modules:

Physics: Newton's Laws, Optics, Electricity, Magnetism (100 marks)Chemistry: Elements, Compounds, Acids & Bases, Oxidation-Reduction (60 marks)General Science: Cell biology, Human organs, Vitamins (40 marks)History & Freedom Movement (80 marks)Geography: Physical features, Atmosphere, Ocean currents (80 marks)Current Events: Military exercises, Defense pacts, Sports (40 marks)

High-Yield / Frequently Repeated Questions:

★ Physics ray optics and electricity numericals★ Indian Freedom Struggle (1857-1947)★ Defense hardware, missiles, and international exercises in news

4. Preparation Blueprint: Strategy & Timeline

Phase-by-phase roadmap, daily study schedule, topper golden rules, and fatal pitfalls to avoid

Topper Strategic Approach

NDA requires balanced intellectual preparation (Class 11 & 12 Mathematics + English & Science) alongside building Officer Like Qualities (OLQs): physical fitness, decisiveness, team spirit, and articulation. Clear the written cutoff with a safe 360-400+ score, while running 2.4 km daily and developing confidence for the 5-day SSB interview.

Recommended Timeline6 to 9 Months (concurrent with 11th/12th)

Daily Study Target5 to 6 study hours + 1 hour physical fitness

Phase-by-Phase Preparation Roadmap

Phase 1Months 1 – 3

Mathematics NCERTs & English Vocabulary

Master 11th & 12th NCERT Mathematics, build 500 word military vocabulary

Complete NCERT Class 11 and 12 Mathematics chapters thoroughly.
Learn shortcut techniques for trigonometry, matrices, and definite integrals using Pathfinder NDA.
Start 45 minutes daily physical fitness: Running 2.4 km, push-ups, pull-ups, and core exercises.
Read 'The Indian Express' or 'The Hindu' daily for national defense affairs.

🎯 Target Mocks: Chapter-wise mathematics drills

Phase 2Months 4 – 5

Science Mastery & GAT Question Practice

Physics formulas, Chemistry basics, Indian freedom struggle, Geography

Study 9th and 10th NCERT Science plus 11th/12th Physics fundamentals.
Solve past 10 years of UPSC NDA GAT question papers.
Practice speaking on impromptu themes for 3 minutes daily to improve narration for PPDT.

🎯 Target Mocks: Sectional GAT mock papers

Phase 3Months 6 – 7 (Pre-Exam)

Full Written Simulation & SSB Psychology Orientation

5-hour Sunday simulation (Maths 10:00-12:30, GAT 2:00-4:30), TAT/WAT drills

Take 10 full-length Sunday simulation tests under exact exam slot timing.
Maintain 90%+ accuracy to avoid negative marking pitfalls.
Practice 12-picture TAT story writing within 4 minutes per slide.

🎯 Target Mocks: Full Sunday 900-mark simulation papers

Recommended Daily Study Schedule

06:00 AM – 07:00 AMPhysical Workout: 2.4 km run, push-ups, sit-ups & pull-ups

08:00 AM – 10:30 AMMathematics: Calculus / Trigonometry problem solving & shortcuts

11:30 AM – 01:00 PMEnglish Grammar, Idioms & Vocabulary flashcards

02:30 PM – 04:30 PMGeneral Science (Physics laws, circuits) / Geography

05:30 PM – 06:30 PMExtempore speaking / Current Defense Affairs discussion

07:30 PM – 09:30 PMPrevious Year Questions solving & error log review

Toppers' Golden Rules

•Mathematics Sectional Cutoff: You must score at least 25% (75 marks) in Mathematics. If you fail Maths, your GAT paper will not even be evaluated.
•Negative Marking is Severe: In GAT, each wrong answer cuts 1.33 marks. Avoid blind guessing on obscure GK questions.
•Physical Fitness is non-negotiable: Begin running and building stamina early; SSB obstacle courses require agility and upper-body strength.
•Be authentic in SSB: Psychologists catch rehearsed or fake responses immediately. Embody genuine responsibility and camaraderie.

Fatal Mistakes to Avoid

•Studying only GAT and neglecting 11th/12th Mathematics integration and calculus shortcuts.
•Neglecting current defense acquisitions, exercises, and joint military commands.
•Waiting until after the written results to start preparing for SSB — 30 days is not enough to build personality and physical fitness.

5. Recommended Books & Study Materials

Topper-validated standard reference books and chapter-wise question banks

4 Verified References

Comprehensive NDA GuideFoundation / Must-Read

Pathfinder for NDA & NA Entrance Examination

Author: Arihant Experts | Pub: Arihant Publications

The definitive compendium covering complete Mathematics syllabus, English grammar, Science, and 10 years of solved PYQs.

Topper's Study Tip: Solve every single exercise question in the Mathematics section.

MathematicsStandard Reference

Mathematics for NDA and NA

Author: R.S. Aggarwal | Pub: S. Chand

Provides hundreds of practice problems classified by difficulty for Trigonometry, Calculus, and Algebra.

Topper's Study Tip: Focus on vector algebra, 3D coordinate geometry, and differential equations.

English & General KnowledgeStandard Reference

Lucent's General Knowledge & Wren and Martin High School English Grammar

Author: Dr. Binay Karna / Wren & Martin | Pub: Lucent / S. Chand

Lucent covers static science and geography asked in Part B. Wren & Martin builds solid grammar clarity.

Topper's Study Tip: Highlight Indian physical geography, rivers, and modern history milestones.

SSB InterviewStandard Reference

Let's Crack SSB Interview & My Appointment with a Psychologist

Author: SSBCrack Editorial / Dr. N.K. Natarajan | Pub: SSBCrack / Jaico

Explains the 15 Officer Like Qualities (OLQs), psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT), and GTO obstacle techniques.

Topper's Study Tip: Read to understand the psychology behind tests, but always write your own genuine original thoughts.

6. Historical Cutoff Trends & Archives

Official past category-wise cutoffs to benchmark your target mock scores

Cycle / Tier / Service	General (UR)	Scope & Remarks
NDA-I 2023 Written Cut-off	301	Out of 900 marks (With minimum 25% marks in each paper)
NDA-II 2022 Written Cut-off	316	Out of 900 marks (Min 25% in each subject)
NDA-I 2023 Final Recommended	664	Out of 1800 marks (Written 900 + SSB 900) for last recommended candidate
NDA-II 2022 Final Recommended	678	Out of 1800 marks (Written + SSB)

7. Selection Process Stepper Funnel

From initial application to final cadre allocation and joining the training academy

Online Application on upsc.gov.in

Apply online during the December or May notification window.

Written Examination

Appear for Paper 1 (Maths 300) and Paper 2 (GAT 600) on a single Sunday. Top ~7,000-8,000 qualify for SSB.

Services Selection Board (SSB) Call-up

Report to allocated Selection Center for 5-day assessment (Screening, Psychology, GTO, Interview).

Special Medical Examination (SMB)

Recommended candidates undergo comprehensive medical examination at military command hospitals.

Final All-India Merit List & Joining

UPSC issues final rank list based on Written + SSB (1800 marks). Qualified cadets report to NDA Khadakwasla, Pune.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

7 Answers

Authoritative SEO & GEO clarifications: Domicile rules, regional languages, exam centers, pay scale & cutoffs

Yes, both unmarried male and female candidates who are citizens of India (as well as subjects of Nepal) from any state or union territory are fully eligible to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune, and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at INA Ezhimala. There is no state domicile quota.

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