UPSC NDA NA I Exam Notification 2026 – Apply Online for 394 Posts

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.

UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Overview

UPSC NDA & NA Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualifications:

• 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

Nationality:

• Citizen of India, OR
• Subject of Nepal, OR
• Person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam with intention of permanent settlement in India
• Certificate of eligibility required for categories (ii) and (iii) except Gorkha subjects of Nepal

Marital Status:

• Candidates must be UNMARRIED (both male and female)
• Male divorcee/widower candidates cannot be treated as unmarried and are not eligible
• Candidates must undertake not to marry until completion of full training
• Marriage subsequent to application date will lead to disqualification
• Marriage during training will result in discharge and liability to refund all expenditure

Age Limit (as on 01-07-2027)

• 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

Application Fee

• 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
• Applications without prescribed fee (unless exempted) shall be summarily rejected

Important Dates

Selection Process

• Stage 1 – Written Examination: Conducted by UPSC
• Paper-I: Mathematics – 300 marks, Duration: 2.5 hours (For IMA/INA/AFA only, not for Naval Academy 10+2 Entry)
• Paper-II: General Ability Test – 600 marks, Duration: 2.5 hours
  • Part A: English – 200 marks
  • Part B: General Knowledge – 400 marks (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, Current Events)
• Total Written Marks: 900
• All questions will be objective type
• Question papers in Mathematics and Part B of General Ability Test will be bilingual (Hindi and English)
• Candidates must use Black Ball Pen only for marking answers
• Negative Marking: 0.33 marks (one-third) deduction for each wrong answer
• Commission has discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects
• Stage 2 – Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview: 900 marks
• Two-Stage SSB Selection:
  • Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) – Shortlisting based on combined performance
  • Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference – Conducted over 4 days
• For Air Force Candidates: Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) required
• CPSS is conducted only once – grades secured hold good for every subsequent interview
• Candidates who fail CPSS cannot apply for Flying Branch but can be considered for Ground Duty branches
• Stage 3 – Medical Examination: Special Medical Board at designated Armed Forces Medical Services Hospitals
• Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks separately in written exam and SSB test
• Final merit list based on total marks (Written + SSB) subject to medical fitness and eligibility
• Selection done separately for male and female candidates in gender-pure manner

Salary/Stipend

• During Training at NDA (3 years): Fixed stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month (starting pay in Level 10)
• Cost of training including accommodation, books, uniforms, boarding, and medical treatment borne by Government
• Pocket expenses (approximately Rs. 3,000/- per month) to be met by candidates/parents
• Financial assistance of Rs. 2,500/- per month available if parent’s income is less than Rs. 45,000/- per month
• Initial Deposit on joining NDA: Rs. 40,376/- (includes pocket allowance, insurance, incidental expenditure)
• After Commissioning as Lieutenant:
  • Lieutenant: Pay Level 10 – Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500/- per month
  • Captain: Pay Level 10B – Rs. 61,300 – 1,93,900/- per month
  • Major: Pay Level 11 – Rs. 69,400 – 2,07,200/- per month
  • Lt. Colonel: Pay Level 12A – Rs. 1,21,200 – 2,12,400/- per month
  • Colonel: Pay Level 13 – Rs. 1,30,600 – 2,15,900/- per month
• Military Service Pay (MSP): Rs. 15,500/- per month (fixed) from Lieutenant to Brigadier
• Additional Allowances:
  • Dearness Allowance (as applicable to civilians)
  • Dress Allowance: Rs. 20,000/- per year
  • Transport Allowance (TPTA): Rs. 7,200/- + DA (higher cities) or Rs. 3,600/- + DA (other places)
  • Children Education Allowance: Rs. 2,250/- per month per child (for two eldest children)
  • Hostel Subsidy: Rs. 6,750/- per month per child
  • Free Ration in kind in peace and field areas
  • Field Area Allowances (depending on posting)
  • Para Allowance: Rs. 10,500/- per month
  • Special Forces Allowance: Rs. 25,000/- per month
• Insurance Coverage:
  • During Training: Rs. 15 lakh (one-time premium of Rs. 7,200/-)
  • After Commissioning: Rs. 1.25 Crore (monthly subscription of Rs. 12,500/-)

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

General Information/Instructions

• Candidates must apply online only through https://upsconline.nic.in
• No other mode of application is allowed
• Universal Registration Number (URN) required for all UPSC examinations
• Live Photo Capture mandatory while filling Common Application Form (CAF)
• Aadhaar Card strongly recommended as ID document
• One Photo ID Card mandatory (Aadhaar/Voter Card/PAN/Passport/Driving License/School Photo ID)
• Candidates cannot withdraw applications after submission
• No corrections/alterations allowed after application submission
• e-Admit Card will be issued on last working day of preceding week of examination
• No Admit Card will be sent by post or email
• Candidates must reach examination venue at least 30 minutes prior
• Face Authentication mandatory at examination venue
• Mobile phones and electronic devices strictly banned
• Use Black Ball Pen only for marking answers
• Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep) available for 7 days after examination
• Helpdesk: 011-24041001 or email: upscsoap@nic.in (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days)
• Government strives for gender balance – Women candidates encouraged to apply
• Candidates already in Government Service or Armed Forces must inform their Head of Office/Commanding Officer
• Candidates appearing for SSB interview entitled to AC III Tier railway fare for first appearance

How to Apply

• 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

UPSC NDA & NA Important Links

• Apply Online: Click here
• Official Notification PDF: Click here
• Official Website: Click here