UPSC NDA & NA l Recruitment 2026 | Freshers | 12th Class | 394 Posts | Across India | Last Date: 30th December 2025
Company: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC NDA & NA l Recruitment 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central recruiting agency. It is responsible for appointments to and examinations for All India services and group A & group B of Central services. While Department of Personnel and Training is the central personnel agency in India.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 394 NDA NA I Posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Online through the official UPSC website. The last date to submit the application form is 30-12-2025. In this article, you’ll find the UPSC NDA NA I Posts recruitment details, including eligibility criteria, age limit, salary structure, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and Online application form.
Official Website: www.upsconline.nic.in
Examination: National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I) 2026
Total Vacancies: 394 (Male: 370, Female: 24)
| Academy/Service | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Defence Academy – Army (157th Course commencing January 2027) | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| National Defence Academy – Navy (All Executive Branch) | 37 | 05 | 42 |
| National Defence Academy – Air Force (Flying) | 90 | 02 | 92 |
| National Defence Academy – Air Force (Ground Duties – Technical) | 16 | 02 | 18 |
| National Defence Academy – Air Force (Ground Duties – Non Technical) | 08 | 02 | 10 |
| Naval Academy – 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (119th INAC, All Executive Branch) | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
Note: Indian Army publishes vacancies for Men and Women separately. Though notified through common notification, NDA/Naval Academy men and women are separate entries with selection done separately in gender-pure manner as per vacancies notified.
Salary: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/- per month
Experience: Freshers
Job Location: Across India
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC NDA & NA l Recruitment 2026:
- For Army Wing of NDA: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University
- For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and for 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at Indian Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent
- Candidates appearing in the 12th Class under 10+2 pattern can also apply
- Such candidates must submit proof of passing by 10th December 2026
- Important: Candidates appearing in 11th class are NOT eligible
Physical Standards:
Height Requirements:
- Male Candidates: Minimum 157 cm
- Female Candidates: Minimum 152 cm
- For Flying Branch: Minimum 162.5 cm (both male and female)
- For Gorkhas and candidates from Hills of North Eastern region, Garhwal, Kumaon: Minimum reduced by 5 cm
- Growth allowance of 2 cm for candidates below 18 years
Weight Requirements:
- Weight should be proportionate to height and age as per prescribed charts
- Minimum and maximum weight limits specified for different height and age groups
- Weights below minimum or above maximum (except for documented body builders/wrestlers) not acceptable
Visual Standards for NDA/NA Entry:
- Uncorrected Vision: 6/12 in each eye
- Corrected Vision: 6/6 in each eye
- Limits of Myopia: -1.0 D Sph
- Limits of Hypermetropia: +2.0 D Sph
- Astigmatism: ±1.0 D Cyl (within limits of myopia and hypermetropia)
- Binocular Vision: III
- Colour Perception: CP Pass (assessed by Ishihara test at SMB, Anomaloscope at AMB/RMB)
- Kerato-refractive surgery (PRK/LASIK/SMILE) acceptable in all branches except submarine, diving and MARCO (subject to conditions)
- Surgery must be at least 12 months before examination, performed after age 20
Dental Standards:
- Minimum 14 dental points required
- Any 4 of 6 anterior teeth and any 6 of 10 posterior teeth must be present in good functional opposition
- Mouth opening of at least 30 mm required
- No more than two mobile teeth acceptable
Other Physical Standards:
- Chest circumference: Minimum 77 cm for male candidates
- Chest expansion: Minimum 5 cm
- Hearing: Must hear forced whisper at 610 cm distance with each ear
- Must be free from diseases, deformities, and medical conditions affecting military duty
- Permanent body tattoos only permitted on inner face of forearm (elbow to wrist) and back of hand
Age Limit:
- Minimum Age: 16.5 years – Born not later than 01st July 2010
- Maximum Age: 19.5 years – Born not earlier than 01st July 2007
- Only unmarried male/female candidates born between 01/07/2007 and 01/07/2010 are eligible
- Date of birth accepted only from Matriculation/Secondary School Examination Certificate or equivalent
- No subsequent change in date of birth allowed
- No other document relating to age (horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts, etc.) will be accepted
Selection Process for UPSC NDA & NA l Recruitment 2026:
-
- Step 1: Visit official website https://upsconline.nic.in
- Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
- Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details
- Step 4: Upload recent photograph and capture live photo
- Step 5: Fill Examination Specific Module with preferences for Services (Army/Navy/Air Force in order of preference 1 to 4)
- Step 6: Upload required documents and Photo ID details
- Step 7: Select Examination Centre (first-apply-first-allot basis with ceiling on most centres)
- Step 8: Pay application fee online (if applicable) through Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking
- Step 9: Submit application and note down Application Number
- Step 10: Download and save e-Admit Card when available
- Important: Indicate at least one preference for service allocation (mandatory)
- Note: Candidates must register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in after qualifying written exam to receive SSB call
- Note: Candidates with Navy first choice: Register on www.joinindiannavy.gov.in
- Note: Candidates with Air Force first choice: Also register on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in for AFSB
- Note: Email ID given to UPSC must be same as Directorate General of Recruiting website
Application Fees
-
Category Fee Amount General/OBC Male Candidates Rs. 100/- (Rupees One Hundred Only) Female Candidates No Fee SC/ST Candidates No Fee Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs studying in Military/Sainik Schools No Fee (Certificate required) - Payment Mode: Visa/ Master/ Rupay Credit/ Debit Card/ UPI Payment or Internet Banking
- Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances
- No fee exemption available for OBC candidates
How to Apply for UPSC NDA & NA l Recruitment 2026?
- Step 1: Visit official website https://upsconline.nic.in
- Step 2: Create Account and generate Universal Registration Number (URN)
- Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF) with personal details
- Step 4: Upload recent photograph and capture live photo
- Step 5: Fill Examination Specific Module with preferences for Services (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA)
- Step 6: Upload required documents (Date of Birth proof, Educational certificates, etc.)
- Step 7: Select Examination Centre from available options
- Step 8: Pay application fee online (if applicable) through Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Net Banking
- Step 9: Submit application and note down Application Number
- Step 10: Take printout of application for future reference
- Important: No corrections allowed after submission of application
- Note: Candidates already in Government Service must inform their Head of Office/Department
- Note: Candidates serving in Armed Forces must inform Commanding Officer and submit NOC at SSB
All interested and eligible candidates can apply this Combined Defence Services Examination CDS 1 through online latest by 30th December 2025
UPSC NDA & NA l Important Links
- Apply Online: Click Here
- Official Notification PDF: Click Here
- Official Website: Click Here
Important Dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 10/12/2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | 10/12/2025 |
| Last Date for Online Application | 30/12/2025 (up to 06:00 PM) |
| Examination Date | 12/04/2026 |
| Written Result Declaration | May 2026 (Tentative) |
| SSB Interview Period | June 2026 to July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Course Commencement (NDA – 157th Course) | 01/01/2027 |
| Course Commencement (Naval Academy – 119th INAC) | 01/01/2027 |
| Certificate Submission Deadline (appearing candidates) | 10/12/2026 |















