NDA 2026 Selection Process

The National Defence Academy (NDA) 2026 exam is conducted for candidates aspiring to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Both male and female candidates can apply for the NDA 2026.

The application process for the exam will begin on December 10, 2025, and candidates can apply on the UPSC's official website.

Selection for the NDA is conducted in two main stages – a written exam and an SSB interview. The written exam is 900 marks long and includes mathematics and a general aptitude test (GAT).

Candidates who qualify the written exam with the minimum required marks are called for the SSB interview. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined scores of both stages.

Stages of NDA 2026 Selection Process

1. NDA Written Exam

The written exam consists of two papers:

Mathematics: 300 marks
General Aptitude Test (GAT): 600 marks
Total Marks: 900
Duration: 5 hours (2.5 hours each paper)
Question Type: Objective (MCQs)

Marking Scheme:

GAT: Correct answer +4, incorrect answer -1.33
Mathematics: Correct answer +2.5, incorrect answer -0.83

Candidates who secure minimum marks in the written exam are called for SSB interview.

2. NDA SSB Interview Process

The SSB interview is a 5-day process that evaluates a candidate's leadership abilities, personality, and mental ability.

Stages of the SSB interview:

Day 1: Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT)
Day 2: Psychological Tests
Day 3: Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
Day 4: Personal Interview
Day 5: Final Conference

Total Marks: 900

Candidates who pass the SSB interview are finally selected based on the combined scores of both the written exam and the interview. Air Force candidates are also required to pass the CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System) exam.

Can girls join the NDA?

Yes! Following a historic Supreme Court ruling in 2021, female candidates can apply for the NDA. Eligibility criteria for female candidates include being between 16.5 and 19.5 years old, having passed Class 12, or having appeared in the exam. Medical standards are slightly different from those for male candidates. Female cadets undergo the same three-year training process.