The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC NDA I Admit Card 2026 on 1st April 2026. All candidates who had registered for the NDA and Naval Academy (NA) Examination I, 2026 can now download their hall ticket directly from the official UPSC website.
The written examination is scheduled for 12th April 2026 across multiple exam centres all over India, and carrying the admit card to the exam hall is absolutely mandatory. This is a golden opportunity for young Indian boys and girls who dream of serving the nation in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The UPSC NDA I 2026 recruitment offers a total of 394 vacancies for various wings of the National Defence Academy (157th Course) and the Indian Naval Academy (119th Course). The job comes with excellent salary, lifelong job security, government perks, and the pride of wearing the uniform of the Indian Armed Forces.
Overview
The UPSC NDA I 2026 exam is one of the most respected national-level defence entrance exams in India. It is conducted twice a year by UPSC to select young talent for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Below is a quick overview of all the important details you need to know.
| Heading | Details |
|---|---|
| Post Name | NDA and NA (Army, Navy, Air Force Wings) |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts |
| Department | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Qualification | 12th Pass (PCM required for Navy and Air Force) |
| Job Location | All India |
| Age Limit | Born between 01 July 2007 and 01 July 2010 |
| Salary / Stipend | Rs. 56,100 per month (during training) |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Read More: SSC CHSL 2025: City Intimation Out, Check Exam City and Check Admit Card
Notification Out
The official admit card notice for the UPSC NDA I 2026 exam has been released. All registered candidates must download their admit card immediately from the official UPSC portal and keep it safe for exam day, as entry to the exam hall will not be allowed without it.
UPSC NDA I Vacancy 2026
UPSC has announced a total of 394 vacancies across different wings for the NDA I 2026 exam cycle. Here is the full wing-wise and category-wise breakdown of available posts.
| Post Name | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Army (NDA 157th Course) | 208 (198 Male + 10 Female) |
| Navy (NDA 157th Course) | 42 (37 Male + 5 Female) |
| Air Force Flying (NDA 157th Course) | 92 (90 Male + 2 Female) |
| Air Force Ground Duties Tech (NDA) | 18 (16 Male + 2 Female) |
| Air Force Ground Duties Non-Tech (NDA) | 10 (8 Male + 2 Female) |
| Naval Academy (119th INAC) | 24 (21 Male + 3 Female) |
| Total | 394 |
Important Dates
Do not miss any of these key dates as they are critical for your exam preparation and application journey. The application window has already closed, and the admit card is now live for download.
Make sure you plan your travel and exam preparation well before 12th April 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Start Date | 10 December 2025 |
| Application Last Date | 30 December 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Admit Card Release Date | 1 April 2026 (Released) |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Written Result (Expected) | May 2026 |
| SSB Interview (Expected) | After Written Result |
| Training Commencement | 1 January 2027 |
Application Fee
The application fee for the UPSC NDA I 2026 exam is very affordable. General and OBC candidates had to pay a small fee during the application process, while SC, ST, and female candidates were fully exempted from paying any fee. This shows the government’s effort to make defence jobs accessible to all eligible candidates.
| Category | Fee | Payment Mode |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs. 100/- | Net Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI |
| SC / ST | Nil (Exempted) | Not Applicable |
| Female Candidates | Nil (Exempted) | Not Applicable |
| Wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs (as applicable) | Nil (Exempted) | Not Applicable |
Eligibility Criteria
To appear for the UPSC NDA I 2026 exam, candidates must meet certain eligibility conditions set by UPSC regarding their nationality, age, marital status, and educational background. Only unmarried male and female candidates who are Indian citizens are eligible to apply for this exam. Below is a summary of the key eligibility conditions.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian Citizen |
| Marital Status | Unmarried only |
| Gender | Male and Female both eligible |
| Date of Birth Eligibility | Born between 01 July 2007 and 01 July 2010 |
Educational Qualifications
The minimum education required to apply for UPSC NDA I 2026 depends on the wing you are applying for. For the Army wing, candidates need to have passed Class 12 from a recognized board, while for the Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy, candidates must have Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) in their Class 12.
| Post Name | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Army Wing (NDA 157th Course) | 12th Pass from a recognized board |
| Navy Wing (NDA 157th Course) | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) |
| Air Force Flying (NDA 157th Course) | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) |
| Air Force Ground Duties Tech | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) |
| Air Force Ground Duties Non-Tech | 12th Pass from a recognized board |
| Naval Academy (119th INAC) | 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) |
Age Limit
Only unmarried candidates born between 01 July 2007 and 01 July 2010 are eligible.
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Candidates (General/OBC/SC/ST) | Born on or after 01 July 2007 | Born on or before 01 July 2010 | As per UPSC norms |
Exam Pattern
The UPSC NDA I 2026 written exam has two papers, both in offline (pen and paper) mode. Paper 1 is Mathematics and Paper 2 is the General Ability Test (GAT). Both papers carry negative marking, so candidates must be careful while answering. The total marks for the written exam are 900, and the SSB Interview also carries 900 marks, making the combined total 1800 marks.
| Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Total Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 Hours | 0.83 marks per wrong answer |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2.5 Hours | 1.33 marks per wrong answer |
| SSB Interview | Intelligence and Personality Test | 900 | As per schedule | None | |
| Total | 270 | 1800 |
The GAT paper is further divided into two sections. Part A covers English language skills and carries 200 marks, while Part B covers General Knowledge including Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Current Events, and General Science, carrying 400 marks.
UPSC NDA I Salary 2026
One of the biggest attractions of joining the National Defence Academy is the highly competitive salary along with a wide range of allowances and government perks. During the three-year training period at NDA, all selected candidates receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 56,100 as per Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix.
After training and commissioning as officers, the salary grows significantly based on rank and years of service.
| Rank | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|
| Training Period Stipend | Rs. 56,100/- |
| Lieutenant | Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500/- |
| Captain | Rs. 61,300 to Rs. 1,93,900/- |
| Major | Rs. 69,400 to Rs. 2,07,200/- |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Rs. 1,21,200 to Rs. 2,12,400/- |
| Colonel | Rs. 1,30,600 to Rs. 2,15,900/- |
| Major General | Rs. 1,44,200 to Rs. 2,18,200/- |
| COAS (Chief of Army Staff) | Rs. 2,50,000/- (Fixed) |
Apart from the basic salary, NDA officers also receive several allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs. 15,500 per month, House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Field Area Allowance, Counter Insurgency Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Children Education Allowance, and free ration in field areas.
The overall compensation package makes an NDA career one of the most rewarding career options in India.
Selection Process
The selection for UPSC NDA I 2026 is done in multiple stages, starting from the written exam and ending with a medical fitness test. Candidates must clear each stage to move forward in the selection process. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how candidates are selected.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Written Examination (Mathematics + GAT = 900 Marks) |
| Stage 2 | SSB Interview (Intelligence and Personality Test = 900 Marks) |
| Stage 3 | Document Verification |
| Stage 4 | Medical Fitness Test |
| Stage 5 | Final Merit List |
Important Document
Candidates must carry the following documents to the exam hall on the day of the UPSC NDA I 2026 written exam. Without these documents, candidates will not be allowed to enter the exam centre.
- Printed hard copy of UPSC NDA I Admit Card 2026
- Any one valid photo ID proof such as Aadhar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving Licence
- A clipboard or hardboard (with nothing written on it)
- Good quality black ballpoint pen
- No electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, or calculators are allowed inside the hall
How to Apply / Check UPSC NDA I Admit Card 2026
Since the application process is already closed, here is the step-by-step guide to download your UPSC NDA I 2026 Admit Card from the official website. Follow these simple steps carefully.
- Open your browser and go to the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
- On the homepage, look for the “E-Admit Card” or “Admit Card” link and click on it.
- A new page will open. Look for the link that says “NDA and NA Examination (I) 2026.”
- Read all the instructions shown on screen carefully, then click the “Yes” button to proceed.
- Enter your Registration Number and Date of Birth in the required fields.
- Your UPSC NDA I 2026 Admit Card will appear on the screen.
- Check all the details on the admit card such as your name, roll number, exam centre, date, and photograph.
- If any detail is incorrect, contact UPSC officials immediately for correction.
- Download the admit card and take a clear colour printout on A4-size paper.
- Keep at least two printed copies of the admit card safe for the exam day.
Note: Candidates are advised to reach the exam centre at least 60 to 65 minutes before the exam starts. Entry to the exam hall is not allowed after the gate-closing time. No candidate will be allowed inside without a valid printed admit card and a photo ID proof.
Note: Candidates must not carry any restricted items such as mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, digital watches, books, or any type of electronic gadgets inside the exam hall. Doing so may lead to disqualification.
Important Links
All registered candidates can find the official download link for the UPSC NDA I 2026 Admit Card below. We strongly recommend downloading it directly from the official UPSC portal to avoid any confusion. Check the table below for all useful links related to this recruitment.
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Admit Card (Released) | Check Here |
| Admit Card Notice | View Notice |
| Official Notification PDF | Check Notification |
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| UPSC Online Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
Conclusion
The UPSC NDA I Admit Card 2026 is now officially out, and every registered candidate must Check it right away from the official UPSC website to avoid any last-minute rush before the 12th April 2026 exam.
Read More: UPSSSC Lower Subordinate Services Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 2285 Graduate Level Post
FAQs: UPSC NDA I Admit Card 2026
1. When was the UPSC NDA I 2026 Admit Card released?
The UPSC NDA I 2026 Admit Card was officially released on 1st April 2026 by the Union Public Service Commission on its official website at upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in.
2. What is the exam date for UPSC NDA I 2026?
The UPSC NDA and Naval Academy Examination I, 2026 is scheduled to be held on 12th April 2026 at various exam centres across India.
3. How many vacancies are there in UPSC NDA I 2026?
A total of 394 vacancies have been announced for UPSC NDA I 2026, covering the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy wings.
4. What is the salary of an NDA officer during training?
During the three-year training period at the National Defence Academy, all selected candidates receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 56,100 as per Level 10 of the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix.
5. What documents are required on the UPSC NDA I 2026 exam day?
Candidates must carry a printed hard copy of their UPSC NDA I 2026 Admit Card along with any one valid government-issued photo ID proof such as Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving Licence to the exam centre.
My name is Sourabh Verma, and for the past 6 years I have been writing about government jobs, competitive exams, results, and admit cards. At TheDailySight.com, my goal is to provide students and job seekers with accurate and timely information.