NDA (National Defence Academy) in India — eligibility, exams, fees, careers

The route to becoming a permanent commissioned officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force straight after Class 12. You take a UPSC written exam, clear a five-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview and a medical, and train for three years at NDA, where you also earn a degree from JNU. It suits physically fit, disciplined young men and women who want a life in uniform and leadership responsibility from their early twenties.

Know this. The written exam is the easier half; the SSB and the medical are where most candidates fall. The SSB tests personality, not rote knowledge, and cannot be crammed at the last minute. Also check the medical and eyesight standards early (UPSC notifications include them): many candidates discover a disqualifying condition only after clearing the written exam.

Getting in

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy entry, through the UPSC NDA & NA Examination

Who can apply

Unmarried men and women only, within a narrow birth-date window set in each notification (roughly 16½ to 19½ years at the time the course begins; for NDA-II 2026, born between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2011). Army wing: Class 12 pass in any stream. Air Force and Naval wings, and the Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Students in Class 12 may apply and must produce proof of passing later. You must also meet the services' physical and medical standards. Marrying during training leads to discharge.

How admission works

UPSC holds the NDA & NA examination twice a year, usually in April and September, with notifications about four months earlier. The written exam has two papers of two and a half hours each: Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600 marks, covering English and general knowledge including physics, chemistry, history, geography and current affairs), with negative marking of one-third of a question's marks. Those who clear the written cut-off are called to an SSB interview of 900 marks, held over about five days in two stages: Stage I (intelligence and picture perception tests) screens candidates, and only those who pass stay for Stage II (psychology tests, group tasks, interview and conference). Air Force aspirants must also clear the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). Final merit combines written and SSB marks, subject to medical fitness and the number of vacancies. There is no counselling and no fee: selected candidates are sent a joining letter.

Duration: 3 years at NDA, Khadakwasla (Pune), then about 1 year at your service academy before commissioning; the Naval Academy 10+2 cadet entry is 4 years at INA Ezhimala
Entrance: NDA & NA Exam

What you study

Degree studies at NDA: Army cadets earn a B.Sc, B.Sc (Computer) or B.A from JNU; Naval cadets and some Air Force cadets follow a B.Tech programme
Military training: drill, weapons, field craft, map reading, and service-specific training in the final half year
Physical training: running, swimming, obstacle courses, sports, riding and adventure activities every day
Leadership and character: squadron life, responsibilities as a senior cadet, and outdoor camps
After NDA: one year at the Indian Military Academy (Army), Indian Naval Academy (Navy) or Air Force Academy / technical college (Air Force) before commissioning

Specialisations: Army wing · Navy wing · Air Force wing: flying branch (needs CPSS), ground duty technical and non-technical · Indian Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry: 4-year B.Tech at INA Ezhimala

Is it you?

A good fit if

You want responsibility for people and equipment early in life
You are physically active and do not mind strict routine and discipline
You are comfortable living anywhere in India, including remote and high-altitude postings
You want a stable, respected career with a clear promotion path

Think twice if

You are choosing it only for the salary or the job security
You want to live in one city near family
You strongly dislike being told what to do, when to wake and how to dress
You have a medical condition or eyesight issue that the services do not accept (check standards before preparing)

The honest part

Recommendation rates at SSB are low; many successful officers clear on a second or later attempt
You can take the exam only a few times because of the narrow age window
Training is physically and mentally demanding; a small number of cadets are relegated or withdrawn
Frequent transfers affect family life, children's schooling and spouse careers
Leaving after commissioning is possible only after a minimum period of service, with conditions

What it costs

Government: The government bears the cost of training, accommodation, books, uniform, boarding and medical treatment at NDA. Parents meet pocket and private expenses, which UPSC says are normally not likely to exceed ₹3,000 a month, plus an initial deposit for clothing and equipment
Private: Not applicable. Private 'NDA coaching' and 'NDA foundation' schools are optional and cost extra
Help: Financial assistance of ₹2,500 a month may be granted to cadets whose parents' income is below ₹45,000 a month. At the service academy after NDA, cadets receive a fixed stipend equal to the starting pay of Level 10 (₹56,100 a month) during training.

Rough 2026 ranges to compare routes. Fees differ by college and state and change every year.

After this

Study next

Or start work as

Lieutenant in the Indian Army (arms and services such as infantry, armoured corps, artillery, engineers, signals)
Sub-Lieutenant in the Indian Navy (executive, engineering or electrical branch)
Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force (flying, technical or ground duty branches)
Later: staff, instructor and command appointments; many officers also take second careers in corporate security, operations and management after service

Starting pay

On commissioning, officers are placed in Pay Level 10 (₹56,100–1,77,500 basic), plus military service pay and allowances that depend on posting (field, high-altitude, flying and others), with free or subsidised housing, medical care and canteen facilities. Total monthly take-home is well above the basic figure but varies by branch and location.

Or study it abroad

Careers this leads to

Each opens a full career guide — the work, a week in the life, skills and pay.

Questions families ask

Can a commerce or arts student join NDA?

Yes, for the Army wing, which needs only a Class 12 pass. The Air Force and Naval wings and the Naval Academy 10+2 cadet entry need Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12.

Can girls apply for NDA?

Yes. Unmarried women have been eligible since 2021, and UPSC notifications show vacancies for men and women separately, with separate merit lists.

How many times can I try?

There is no fixed attempt limit; the limit comes from the age window. Because the exam is held twice a year, most candidates get three to five chances between Class 11/12 and the upper age limit.

Do NDA cadets get a degree?

Yes. Cadets are awarded degrees by Jawaharlal Nehru University: B.Sc, B.Sc (Computer) or B.A for most, and B.Tech for naval and some Air Force cadets after pre-commissioning training.

What if I cross the NDA age limit?

Graduates can still become officers through the CDS exam, AFCAT (Air Force), or technical and university entries. The officer career is the same; only the entry route differs.

Sources, checked 2026-09-28: UPSC notification: NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026

← All routes after class 12