The wait is finally over for defence aspirants! The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit details on its official website. This notification marks the beginning of the journey for the NDA Recruitment 2025-26 cycle, inviting unmarried male and female candidates to join the 157th Course of the National Defence Academy and the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course.
The UPSC Latest Notification Dec 2025 is out now. From the NDA 1 2026 exam date and syllabus pattern to the minute details of the NDA 1 2026 age limit for female candidates and males, we have covered it all. If you are wondering, “When will NDA 1 2026 notification come?”, it is officially out as of December 10, 2025!
we have simplified, the UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit information here, ensuring you have the right strategy for your NDA Preparation Tips.
UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Organization Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | UPSC NDA Recruitment 2026 (NDA & NA – I) |
| Post Name | Lieutenant (Army), Sub Lieutenant (Navy), Flying Officer (Air Force) |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts |
| Category | Defence Jobs Notification 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online (NDA 1 2026 Online Form) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Job Location | All India |
Important Dates for NDA 1 2026
The UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification schedule is strict. You must complete your UPSC OTR registration for NDA 2026 process and submit the form before the UPSC NDA 1 2026 form filling last date.
| Event | Date |
| NDA 1 2026 Notification Release Date | 10th December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10th December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30th December 2025 (Till 6:00 PM) |
| Application Correction Window | 7 Days after application closure |
| NDA 1 2026 admit card release date | Last working day of the preceding week of exam |
| NDA 1 2026 written exam date | 12th April 2026 |
Note: The UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit document explicitly states that candidates should not wait for the last minute to apply to avoid server congestion.
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Application Fee
To successfully submit your UPSC NDA 2026 Application Form, an examination fee is required. However, the government encourages diversity by exempting several categories.
- Payment Mode: Visa/Master/RuPay Credit/Debit Card/UPI Payment or Internet Banking.
- Cash Payment: The notification emphasizes online payment modes.
| Category | Fee Amount |
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | Rs. 100/- |
| UPSC NDA 1 2026 form fees for SC ST and female | Nil (Exempted) |
| Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs (Studying in Military/Sainik Schools) | Nil (Exempted) |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC NDA 1 2026
This is the most critical section. Many students get confused about whether they are eligible. Let’s simplify the NDA 2026 Eligibility Criteria focusing on the UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit.
1. NDA 1 2026 Age Limit (Crucial)
If you are searching for the NDA 1 2026 age limit date of birth calculator, here is the exact data from the official notification.
- Status: Only Unmarried male and female candidates can apply.
- Born Between: Candidates must have been born not earlier than 1st July 2007 and not later than 1st July 2010.
- Note: This Born between 2007 and 2010 eligible for NDA 2026 criterion is strict. The date of birth recorded in your Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate will be final.
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2. Educational Qualification
Are you asking, “Can 12th appearing students apply for NDA 1 2026?” or “Can arts student apply for NDA 1 2026?” The answer is Yes, but with specific conditions based on the wing you choose.
- For Army Wing: Pass in 12th Class of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University. (Arts, Commerce, and Science students are eligible here).
- For Air Force and Naval Wings (and 10+2 Cadet Entry for NA): Pass in 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education. This is the UPSC NDA 1 2026 qualification for Air Force and Navy.
- For 12th Appearing Students: UPSC NDA 1 2026 eligibility for 12th appearing students allows you to apply! However, you must submit proof of passing the 12th class exam by 10th December 2026.
Vacancy Details: NDA 2026 Vacancy Category Wise Breakup
The NDA vacancy 2026 is distributed among the three services. Here is the detailed NDA 2026 vacancy breakup Army Navy Airforce:
| Wing/Academy | Vacancies (Male) | Vacancies (Female) | Total Posts |
| Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| Navy | 37 | 05 | 42 |
| Air Force (Flying) | 90 | 02 | 92 |
| Air Force (Ground Duties – Tech) | 16 | 02 | 18 |
| Air Force (Ground Duties – Non-Tech) | 08 | 02 | 10 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Grand Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
The NDA vacancy 2026 Date for commencement of the course is 2nd January 2027 (approx).
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Selection Process
The selection for NDA Recruitment 2026 is rigorous and tests your mental, psychological, and physical capabilities.
- Written Examination (900 Marks): Conducted by UPSC offline. It includes Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).
- SSB Interview (900 Marks): The SSB Interview process for NDA 1 2026 involves Intelligence and Personality Tests conducted by the Services Selection Board.
- Medical Examination: A comprehensive medical checkup to ensure you meet the physical standards.
- Final Merit List: Based on total marks secured in Written + SSB.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
Understanding the NDA 1 2026 exam date and syllabus pattern is the first step toward success.
NDA 1 2026 Exam Pattern
The papers will consist of Objective Type Questions.
| Subject | Code | Duration | Max Marks |
| Mathematics | 01 | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 02 | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| Total Written Score | 900 | ||
| SSB Interview | 900 |
- Negative marking in NDA 1 2026 written exam: Yes, there is a penalty. One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every wrong answer.
- Is Maths compulsory for NDA Army Wing 2026? Yes, Mathematics is Paper 1 for all candidates, including Army Wing aspirants, even though Physics/Chem is not required for eligibility in Army Wing.
NDA Syllabus 2026
If you are looking for the UPSC NDA 1 2026 syllabus pdf download in Hindi or English, here is a brief breakdown:
- Mathematics (Paper 1): Algebra, Matrices & Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D), Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Vector Algebra, Statistics, and Probability. NDA 1 2026 Maths chapter wise weightage generally favors Algebra and Trigonometry.
- General Ability Test (Paper 2):
- Part A (English): Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension (200 Marks).
- Part B (General Knowledge): Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Events (400 Marks). This covers the NDA 2026 General Ability Test syllabus detailed topics.
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Physical & Medical Standards
The UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit document includes strict medical guidelines.
- NDA 1 2026 height and weight chart for male candidates: The minimum height is generally 157 cm for Army/Navy and 162.5 cm for Air Force Flying Branch.
- Height requirement for NDA female candidates 2026: The minimum height is 152 cm. For Gorkhas/Hills candidates, it is 148 cm.
- Eye vision standard for NDA 2026 Air Force: For Flying Branch, candidates must have 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
- Is Lasik surgery allowed for NDA 1 2026? For Air Force, LASIK is not permitted for candidates below 20 years of age. Since NDA age limit is below 20, LASIK is essentially not allowed for NDA entry.
- Carrying angle limit for NDA medical test: For Air Force, Cubitus Valgus (carrying angle) up to 15° in males and 18° in females is acceptable.
- Tattoo policy for UPSC NDA 2026 candidates: Permanent body tattoos are only permitted on the inner face of the forearm and the reverse side of the palm. Tattoos on any other body part are not acceptable.
How to Apply for UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit Step-by-Step
If you are unsure How to fill UPSC NDA 1 2026 application form step by step, follow these instructions:
- OTR Registration: Visit upsconline.nic.in and complete the UPSC OTR registration for NDA 2026 process if you haven’t already.
- Login: Use your OTR ID to log in to the system.
- Fill Application: Select “NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026” and fill in your details.
- Live Photo Upload: A major change! You must capture a Live Photograph during the application process using a webcam/mobile camera. Ensure the photo is clear.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned signature and ID proof. Check the Documents required for NDA 1 2026 registration.
- Fee Payment: Pay the fee (if not exempted).
- Select Centre: Choose your exam centre carefully; it’s first-apply-first-allot.
- Print: Save the final confirmation page.
Important Links
For your convenience, here are the direct links related to the UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit:
| Link Description | Direct Link |
| Download NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF | Download PDF |
| Apply Online Link | Apply Now |
| Official Website | Visit Website |
| For Any Educational Updates Join Telegram Channel | Notify U |
| For Study Material Subscribe YouTube Channel | Subscribe Notify U |
| For Any Educational Updates On Whatsapp | Join Whatsapp Channel |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the NDA 1 2026 notification out?
Yes, the notification was released on 10th December 2025.
What is the age limit for the NDA exam in 2026?
Candidates must be born between 1st July 2007 and 1st July 2010. This falls under the UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit criteria.
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What is the last date for NDA 1 2026?
The UPSC NDA 1 2026 form filling last date is 30th December 2025 till 6:00 PM.
How many vacancies are in NDA in 2026?
There are 394 vacancies in total (Army: 208, Navy: 42, Air Force: 120, Naval Academy: 24).
Who is eligible for NDA exam 2026?
Unmarried males and females who have passed 12th or are appearing in 12th class are eligible.
Can arts student apply for NDA 1 2026?
Yes, Arts students can apply for the Army Wing of the NDA.
What is the salary of NDA officer during training 2026?
Cadets receive a fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month during the training period at service academies (IMA/INA/AFA).
Can I give UPSC 2026?
If you meet the age and educational criteria mentioned in the UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit, you can definitely appear for the exam.
When will NDA 1 2026 admit card come?
It will be released on the last working day of the preceding week of the exam (April 2026).
Author’s Suggestions
The UPSC NDA 1 2026 Notification PDF Download & Age Limit has cleared the path for your defence dreams. With 394 vacancies and a clear NDA 1 2026 exam date and time table, the clock has started ticking.
My advice? Don’t just rely on self-study if you feel stuck. Institutes like Ground Zero Institute Dehradun are often cited for Best NDA Coaching in Dehradun and SSB Interview Preparation Dehradun, which might give you the edge you need. Ensure you check the Live photo upload instruction for UPSC NDA 2026 carefully to avoid form rejection.
Start your Maths and GAT preparation for NDA 2026 today. Download the notification, verify your UPSC NDA 1 2026 age limit, and fill out the form before the last date. Jai Hind!
Disclaimer: While we strive for accuracy based on the provided PDF, users must verify details with the official advertisement on upsc.gov.in.