All About NDA Exam 2026 – Complete Guide
Welcome to Nextprayas: here is a full guide for the NDA Exam conducted by UPSC for recruitment as an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
Overview
| Name of the Exam | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Frequency of Exam | Twice a year (April & September) |
| Selection Process | Written Test (Objective Questions) + Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Papers in NDA Exam | Mathematics • General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Marks Segregation | Mathematics: 300 Marks • GAT: 600 Marks |
| Total Number of Questions | Mathematics: 120 • GAT: 150 |
| Negative Marking | Mathematics: −0.83 per wrong answer • GAT: −1.33 per wrong answer |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 hours for each paper (total 5 hours) |
| Language of Question Paper | English & Hindi; English sections must be answered in English |
Who Can Apply for NDA Exam?
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: Between 16.5 and 19.5 years on the first day of the month in which the exam is held.
- Educational Qualification:
- Army Wing: 12th class (or equivalent) in any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts).
- Navy & Air Force Wings: 12th class (or equivalent) with Physics & Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- Gender: Both male and female candidates allowed, subject to physical standards.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply.
Selection Process
Written Exam (Stage 1)
The exam consists of two papers:
- Paper 1 – Mathematics (300 marks): Objective-type questions covering Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Calculus, Probability, etc.
- Paper 2 – General Ability Test (GAT) (600 marks): Tests English (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension) and General Knowledge (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Geography, History, Civics, Current Affairs).
SSB Interview (Stage 2)
Candidates who pass the written exam go through a five-day SSB (Services Selection Board) Assessment.
- Includes psychological tests, group discussions, individual tasks, physical fitness tests, etc.
- Evaluates leadership, communication, decision-making, teamwork, personality & intelligence.
Marking Scheme & Final Selection
- Written exam total: 900 marks (300 + 600).
- SSB Interview: 900 marks.
- Final selection is based on the combined score from written exam + SSB Interview.
Important Links
Here are the essential resources for NDA Exam 2026 aspirants:
Notification Eligibility Syllabus Admit Card Mock Test Study Material Result SSB Interview Previous Year Question Papers Answer Key
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