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NDA 1 2026 Complete Guide: Notification, Exam Pattern and Application Form

Are you interested in joining Indian Army, navy or Air Force after 12th? Yes, if so the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam can get you started on a career as a defence officer.

NDA Exam is conducted twice in a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). NDA 1 2026 was the first NDA exam of the year. The notification was out on 10th December 2025, and the written examination was conducted on 12th April 2026.

The application process has been closed. But, if you are going to prepare for future NDA exams then you can check out the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, application process, and selection process with this guide.

NDA 1 2026 Important Dates

The UPSC NDA 1 2026 notification has been released on December 2026. The candidates were able to fill up the application form online.

Here are the important dates:

Event	Date
Notification Release Date	20 December 2026
Application Start Date	20 December 2026
Last Date to Apply	9 January 2027
Written Exam Date	11 April 2027
Application Status	Upcoming
Examination Status	Upcoming

Candidates who had not applied for NDA 1 2026 till the deadline should not apply for NDA 1 2026 now. They need to go to the official website of the UPSC for updates regarding the upcoming exams.

NDA 1 2026 Exam Pattern

The NDA written test consists of two papers – Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).

The question papers for Mathematics are marked out of 300 and for GAT out of 600. The total written exam is worth 900 marks.

Paper	Maximum Marks	Duration
Mathematics	300	2.5 hours
General Ability Test (GAT)	600	2.5 hours
Total	900	5 hours

The papers are objective type questions in both. Pupils should practise and develop skills to become accurate and fast.

Mathematics Paper

The Mathematics paper covers algebra, trigonometry, calculus, geometry, matrices, statistics and probability.

Students should have an understanding of the basic concepts and perform questions daily. They can solve questions faster and correctly by regularly revising.

General Ability Test (GAT)

The GAT paper consists of two parts – English and General Knowledge.

There are 200 marks in the English section. It contains grammar, word and comprehension.

There are 400 marks in the General Knowledge section. It includes Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Affairs.

Pupils should read regularly and flesh out key ideas and concepts they need to know to make them more vivid.

Does NDA have negative marking?

Yes, there is negative marking in NDA exam. There is a 100% chance of getting the correct answer because marks are deducted for incorrect answers.

When answering questions students should read the question carefully. Taking practice tests can assist them in learning how to make the most of their time and avoid extraneous errors.

NDA 1 2026 Application Form

The NDA 1 2026 application process has been closed. The last date to apply was 30 December 2025.

Those who had applied beforehand were required to submit their personal and educational information and also follow the necessary application procedures.

Students who want to take an upcoming NDA Exam are asked to keep their documents on hand and read the instructions before completing the form.

How to Fill Out the NDA Application Form

If the application form is released for the next NDA exam, candidates can follow these steps:

• Go to UPSC’s official website.
• Access the examination application system.Go to the examination application system.
• Fill in the necessary registration.
• Fill out your personal and educational information.
• Upload necessary documents and pictures.
• Pay the application fee (if applicable).
• Review all the information thoroughly.
• Complete the form and save it for future reference.

Always provide correct information while filling out the form. Falsified information that can cause issues in the selection process.

Read Also: NDA 1 2027 Application Form – Release Date, Eligibility, Fee & How to Apply

NDA Application Fee

The NDA 1 2026 application fee was Rs. 100 for the candidates who had to pay the fee. The official rules exempted certain categories and eligible SC/ST candidates.

Application fee and application procedure information is subject to change as per notification.

NDA 1 2026 Syllabus

The NDA syllabus comprises of Mathematics, English, Science, History, Geography, Current Affairs.

These are some of the key areas:

• Assessment of mathematical skills: Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Geometry, Statistics, Probability.
• English: Grammar, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.
• Physics: Motion, Force, Energy, Light and Electricity.
• Chemistry: Elements, Compounds, and Chemical Reactions.
• History: Indian History and the Freedom movement.
• Geography: Rivers, Mountains, Climate and Indian Geography.
• General Science: Biology, the Human Body and Scientific Discoveries.
• Current Affairs: National News, International Events, Sports, and Defence News.

This is a basic overview of the syllabus. The detailed list of topics is available to the students in the official notification made by UPSC.

Conclusion

The NDA exam provides a good chance to those who are interested in joining the Indian Armed Forces as officers.

The candidates need to know the NDA age limit, educational qualification, exam pattern, and selection process before applying.

As the NDA 1 2026 exam has been completed, candidates should prepare for the next exams for which they can apply. Leave no stone unturned, practice previous year papers, develop English language skills and get fit.

Please visit the official website of UPSC for the latest notification, eligibility criteria and application dates.