The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026 for the aspiring applicants to join the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. This recruitment is total of 394 vacancies for NDA Army Navy Air Force and Naval Academy wings posts. This national-level defense examination is for students who wish to serve in the Indian Army Navy and Air Force after completing their 10+2 education. The online application process has started from 10 December 2025 and will end on 30 December 2025. The selection process process will include physical fitness testing document verification and medical examination. This post contains details regarding UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026 and related information.
Exam Notification Highlights at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission |
| Examination Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I) 2026 |
| Advertisement Number | 03/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
Vacancy Distribution Across Defence Wings
| Post Name | Wing | Number of Posts |
|---|---|---|
| National Defence Academy | Army | 208 |
| National Defence Academy | Navy | 42 |
| National Defence Academy | Air Force | 120 |
| Naval Academy | 10+2 Cadet Entry (Male) | 24 |
| Total | 394 |
Education Requirements and Age Conditions
The eligibility criteria set by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026 are given below:
Educational Qualification
- For National Defense Academy posts applicants must have passed 12th class or an similar examination from a verified board.
- For Naval Academy entry applicants must have completed Intermediate with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Age Limit
- Applicants must be born between 02 July 2007 and 01 July 2010.
- Age relaxation is applicable as per UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026 rules.
Application Fee Structure and Payment Mode
The application fee for UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026 is given below and applicants can pay fee using debit card credit card UPI etc.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹100 |
| SC / ST | Nil |
How the Recruitment Process is Conducted
The selection process for UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026 is divided into multiple stages which includes:
The first stage is a written examination conducted in objective format testing applicants on Mathematics and General Ability. Qualified applicants will be selected for the Service Selection Board process which includes physical fitness testing personality assessment and intelligence evaluation. Applicants who qualified the SSB rounds will be called for the document verification and detailed medical examination before final merit listing.
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Steps to Apply Online for UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026
To apply for the UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026 applicants need to follow the given below steps carefully. Only applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the recruitment:
Step1 > Visit the official website of the UPSC: https://upsc.gov.in/ and complete the One Time Registration process if not already registered.
Step2 > Log in using OTR details and select the UPSC NDA/ NA-I Recruitment 2026 application link.
Step3 > Fill in personal educational and communication details accurately in the online form.
Step4 > Upload required documents including photograph and signature and pay the application fee online and submit the form before the end date.
Step5 > ownload and save a copy of the submitted application for future.
Important Dates You Should Not Miss
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 30 December 2025 |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 30 December 2025 |
| Written Examination Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Before Exam |
| Result Declaration | After Examination |
Important Links
| Apply Online | Click Here | ||||||
| Download Notification | Click Here | ||||||
| For OTR Registration | Click Here | ||||||
| Official Website | Click Here |
