NDA 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

Candidates must have completed Class 12 (or be appearing) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for the IMA/INA/Air Force wings. For the Naval Academy, Engineering branch is mandatory. Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age as of the first day of the month in which the course begins. Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible. Citizenship: Indian citizens only.

NDA consists of two written papers: Paper 1 (Mathematics, 300 marks, 2.5 hours) covering Algebra, Matrices, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Probability, Statistics; and Paper 2 (General Ability Test, 600 marks, 2.5 hours) divided into English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks) covering Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, and Current Affairs. Both papers are objective MCQs. The exam is conducted twice a year (NDA I and NDA II) by UPSC.

The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview is a 5-day procedure split into two stages: Stage I (Day 1 — Officer Intelligence Rating and Picture Perception) and Stage II (Days 2-5 — Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officer tasks, Personal Interview, and Conference). Candidates are assessed on officer-like qualities: Leadership, Diligence, Cooperation, Endurance, and Initiative. The SSB interview carries 900 marks combined with the written exam for the final merit list.