The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has formally celebrated that the NDA & NA (I) 2026 recruitment is now underway, to which applicants wishing to have a career in the Indian Armed Forces can apply. That notification was published on 10 th December 2025 and the online application window is currently open until 30 th December 2025. In this year, the number of openings in the coveted National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) is 394 vacancies offered by UPSC.
You have just completed your 12 th standard, or are soon doing so and you love serving the nation, here is your opportunity to embark on an incredible career in the Army, Navy, or Air Force, with the lowest application fee of only 100 rupees in most cases!
What is UPSC NDA/NA?
One of the most competitive and prestigious defence entry examinations in India is the National Defence Academy/National Naval Academy (NDA/ NA) examination. Administrated by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), it acts as the entry point of young men and women with eligibility to gain admission to:
- National Defence Academy (NDA) Tri-service academy of the defence services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) training.
- Naval Academy (NA) – Academy that trains Indian Naval Officers.
UPSC
The education of NDA and NA leads to graduates becoming officers in the Indian Armed Forces, thus it is a dream career choice to many defence prospective.
Recruitment Highlights (NDA & NA I, 2026).
This is a brief overview of the key points that the candidates should be aware of:
- Recruiting Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Notification Release Date: 10 th December 2025.
- Application Deadline: 10 th -30 th December 2025.
- Total Vacancies: 394 Posts
- Exam Date: 12 th April 2026
- Application Fee: 100 (General/ OBC/EWS).
- Exemption of fees: SC/ST/Female applicants and dependants of military officers.
- Application mode: Internet through UPSC portal.
- Government Websites: upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in
The vacancies of this year are covered in all the wings of the defence services- Army, Navy and Air Force. Although there is a slight variation in the specific distribution of vacancies in the branches, the overall strength is still 394.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility at a Glance
In order to submit NDA/NA 2026, the candidates should possess the following primary eligibility requirements:
1. Age Limit
- The birth date of the candidates should be July 1, 2007- July 1, 2010 (around 16.5 to 19.5 years old when joining).
- Only single male and female candidates are acceptable.
2. Educational Qualifications
- Army Wing 12 th pass or appearing (any stream).
- Air force/naval wings: 12 th pass or examine with Physics and Mathematics with a recognised board.
- It is important to note that before any aspiring candidate applies, he or she should ensure that they have the required age and academic qualifications.
3. Physical Standards
- Applicants have to be physically and medically fit, according to service branch requirements.
Application Fee & Exemptions
The encouraging part of this recruitment drive is the fee of application is very low, the general, OBC, and the EWS candidate pay 100 as a fee. However:
- SC, ST, female candidates, and
- Wards of JCOs, NCOs, and ORs
are exempted of paying any fee. This is a step that guarantees increased access and boosts larger involvement of deserving candidates.
During the application, all charges, as applicable, will be paid using the online payment gateway using net banking, UPI, or debit/credit cards.
The Process of Selection: Expectations.
The experience in choosing NDA/NA is based on two critical steps:
- Written Examination: a written test at the national level, which is composed of Mathematics and General Ability.
- SSB Interview: Those applicants that have passed the written test will undergo the Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview, which is an in-depth test of personality, aptitude and leadership skills.
The successful candidates undergo an intensive training at the NDA or the Naval Academy making them ready to serve with honour in the defence forces.
How to prepare NDA/NA: Aspirants tips.
The application window is already open and so here are some few tips that can get the aspirants ready:
- Familiarize yourself with the Exam Pattern and the Syllabus before you begin to study.
- Do past year question papers, do mock tests to measure performance.
- Concentrate on training and readiness of the mind towards the SSB rounds early enough.
- Be efficient with your time properly – make sure to manage your time between board exams and preparing to take the NDA in case you are still in school.
UPSC NDA/NA 2026 Recruitment Begins: Apply Now for 394 Vacancies with Just ₹100 Fee!
Final Thoughts
The 2026 recruitment exercise of the UPSC NDA/NA is a golden opportunity to the young Indians to take a stride towards a glorious career in defence. Having 394 vacancies and an insignificant application fee, there can never be a better time to apply and make your patriotic dreams come true. No matter your target service the Army, Navy or Air Force, this is the place to start – and it is through your online application before 30 th December 2025.
Do not miss out, enroll now and make a big leap of serving the nation!
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