NDA Exam Date 2026: Complete Schedule for NDA I & NDA II, Application, Exam, and Results 

Planning your NDA preparation without a clear timeline is one of the most common mistakes aspirants make. The NDA exam date 2026 cycle has already started, and if you missed the NDA I 2026 application window, knowing the full UPSC NDA 2026 schedule now puts you in the best position for NDA II. This article consolidates every confirmed and expected date for both cycles so you can build a backward study plan from day one, including the NDA 2026 notification date.

Roughly 4 lakh candidates compete for a limited number of NDA seats each year, and the selection process stretches across several months from notification to final joining. Knowing exactly when each stage falls is not a minor detail, it shapes your entire preparation calendar. That is especially true when it comes to NDA exam date 2026.

NDA 2026 Important Dates at a Glance

The UPSC annual calendar 2026 governs both NDA cycles. NDA I 2026 followed a tight schedule, with the official notification released in December 2025 and the application window opening on 10 December 2025. The written exam was scheduled for 12 April 2026, and the result was declared at upsc.gov.in shortly after. Keep that in mind when tracking the UPSC NDA 2026 schedule.

NDA II 2026 dates are expected to follow the standard mid-year pattern based on UPSC's historical release schedule. Those dates are labelled as expected below and will be confirmed once the official vacancy notification UPSC publishes appears on the portal. Bookmark this page for live updates the moment UPSC makes them official.

All confirmed dates are sourced directly from UPSC official communications at upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in. This is the single consolidated reference aspirants need before checking multiple coaching websites.

• NDA I 2026 Notification: Released December 2025

• NDA I 2026 Application Window: 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025

• NDA I 2026 Admit Card: Released ahead of the April exam

• NDA I 2026 Written Exam: 12 April 2026

• NDA I 2026 Result: Declared at upsc.gov.in post-exam

• NDA II 2026 Notification: Expected mid-2026 (to be confirmed)

• NDA II 2026 Exam: Expected September 2026 (to be confirmed)

The NDA 2 2026 exam date and related milestones will be updated here the moment UPSC releases the official notification. Aspirants who missed NDA I should begin preparation now so they are exam-ready well before the NDA II window opens.

NDA I 2026: Official Notification and Application Dates

The table below gives you a side-by-side view of both cycles. NDA II 2026 dates marked as "Expected" are based on UPSC's standard annual pattern and are subject to official confirmation.

The NDA 2026 notification date for NDA I marks the formal start of the selection cycle. The NDA 1 2026 application form last date was 30 December 2025, which means the entire window was just 20 days, a critically short period that catches many aspirants off guard. Saving the UPSC annual calendar 2026 on your phone is the simplest way to avoid missing future windows.

NDA I 2026 Admit Card: Release Date and How to Download

UPSC released the NDA I 2026 notification in December 2025, and the upsconline.nic.in registration window ran from 10 December to 30 December 2025. Candidates who completed their One Time Registration OTR and submitted their application within this window were eligible to appear for the 12 April 2026 exam.

The NDA 2026 admit card was released at upsc.gov.in ahead of the exam date. The upsc.gov.in e-Admit Card is not sent by post, so aspirants must download it themselves using their credentials. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Visit upsc.gov.in on your browser.

2. Click on the "e-Admit Card" link under the active examination section.

3. Enter your Registration ID or Roll Number along with your Date of Birth.

4. Submit the details and your NDA hall ticket download will begin.

5. Print the admit card on A4 paper and check all details immediately.

Once you have your hall ticket, verify your name, photograph, roll number, exam centre address, exam date, and reporting time. Any discrepancy must be reported to UPSC before exam day. A valid photo ID alongside the admit card is mandatory at the examination centre.

The NDA eligibility 10+2 requirement means candidates must be appearing in or have passed Class 12 from a recognised board. The exact vacancy count for NDA I 2026 was published in the official notification on the UPSC website.

NDA I 2026 Result: Declaration Date and Merit List Download

The NDA 1 2026 result was declared at upsc.gov.in after the 12 April 2026 written exam. UPSC publishes the result as a PDF document listing the roll numbers of shortlisted candidates. Individual marks are not released at this stage, the NDA merit list PDF contains only the roll numbers of those who qualify for the next stage.

To download the result PDF, follow these steps:

1. Open upsc.gov.in on your device.

2. Navigate to "Written Results" under the "Examinations" menu.

3. Locate the NDA and NA Examination (I) 2026 result link.

4. Click to open or download the merit list PDF.

5. Search for your roll number using Ctrl+F on desktop or the in-browser find function on mobile.

After confirming your roll number in the merit list, the next step in the NDA selection process stages is the SSB interview. Qualified candidates receive an SSB interview call letter from the respective Service Headquarters, Army, Navy, or Air Force, based on their preference and merit position. The SSB is a five-day process conducted at designated Service Selection Boards across India and tests officer-like qualities well beyond academic performance.

Candidates who clear both the written exam and SSB then undergo a medical examination. Final merit is determined by combining written scores and SSB marks.

NDA II 2026: Expected Notification, Application and Exam Dates

Based on UPSC's consistent annual pattern, NDA II expected dates follow a mid-year schedule. The NDA 2 2026 exam date is expected to fall in September 2026, with the notification likely releasing in June 2026 and the application window opening shortly after.

Historically, UPSC has maintained roughly a six-month gap between the two NDA cycles. Given that NDA I 2026 was examined in April, aspirants can reasonably plan for a September exam under NDA II. All NDA II expected dates must still be treated as projections until the official vacancy notification UPSC publishes appears on upsc.gov.in.

Key planning points for NDA II 2026 aspirants:

• Complete your One Time Registration OTR on upsconline.nic.in well before the notification drops, this saves critical time during the short application window.

• Keep your Class 12 marksheet or passing certificate ready, as NDA eligibility 10+2 verification happens during the application and SSB stages.

• Follow the UPSC annual calendar 2026 on the official website for the first confirmed date.

• Track NDA fee payment online deadlines carefully, UPSC does not accept applications after the closing date under any circumstances.

NDA 2026 Complete Selection Timeline: From Exam to Joining

The NDA selection process stages span roughly 12 to 18 months from written exam to NDA Khadakwasla joining. Understanding the full arc prevents the surprise that many candidates feel when months pass between the result and their actual joining date.

Here is the complete sequence:

1. Written Exam: NDA written exam pattern consists of two papers, Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks), totalling 900 marks. Both are objective type with negative marking.

2. Written Result: UPSC declares the merit list PDF of shortlisted candidates at upsc.gov.in.

3. SSB Interview: Shortlisted candidates receive an SSB interview call letter and attend a five-day selection board at allotted centres.

4. Medical Examination: SSB-recommended candidates undergo a detailed medical board.

5. Final Merit List: UPSC releases the combined final merit based on written and SSB performance.

6. NDA Khadakwasla Joining: Selected candidates join the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune, for the three-year residential training programme.

The entire timeline from the April exam to NDA Khadakwasla joining typically extends into early the following year. Candidates who clear NDA I 2026 can expect joining around January 2027, subject to medical clearance and document verification timelines.

How to Apply for NDA 2026: Step-by-Step on upsconline.nic.in

The application process for NDA 2026 runs entirely through upsconline.nic.in. The first step involves setting up One Time Registration OTR, a one-time profile creation that UPSC uses across all its examinations. Once your OTR is active, you do not need to re-register for future cycles.

Step-by-step application process:

1. OTR Setup: Visit upsconline.nic.in and complete One Time Registration OTR using your email, mobile number, and basic personal details. Save your Registration ID.

2. Login and Apply: Log in during the active application window and select the NDA and NA Examination from the list of open notifications.

3. Fill the Form: Enter academic details, service preference (Army, Navy, or Air Force), and upload your photograph and signature in the specified format.

4. NDA Fee Payment Online: Pay the application fee through net banking, debit card, or credit card. SC/ST candidates and sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempt from the fee.

5. Submit and Print: Submit the form and save the confirmation page. Print a copy for your records.

Common errors to avoid: uploading a photograph that does not meet UPSC size and format specifications, selecting the wrong service preference (which cannot be changed after submission), and failing to complete NDA fee payment online before the form closes. Double-check every detail before final submission because UPSC does not allow post-submission edits.

Documents to keep ready: Class 10 certificate for date of birth, Class 12 marksheet or appearing certificate, recent passport-size photograph, and scanned signature in JPEG format within the file size limit.

FAQs

What is the NDA I 2026 exam date and has the admit card been released?

The NDA I 2026 written exam was scheduled for 12 April 2026. The NDA 2026 admit card was released at upsc.gov.in before the exam. Eligible candidates could download the upsc.gov.in e-Admit Card by logging in with their registration details on the UPSC portal.

When did the NDA I 2026 application window open and close, and can I still apply?

The NDA I 2026 application window ran from 10 December 2025 to 30 December 2025 on upsconline.nic.in. The window is now closed. Aspirants who missed it should prepare for NDA II 2026, whose notification is expected mid-2026 based on the UPSC annual calendar 2026 pattern.

How do I download my NDA 2026 admit card or hall ticket from upsc.gov.in?

Visit upsc.gov.in, click on the e-Admit Card section under active examinations, enter your Roll Number or Registration ID with your Date of Birth, and proceed with the NDA hall ticket download. Print the hall ticket and carry it with a valid photo ID to the exam centre.

When will the NDA I 2026 result and merit list be declared on the UPSC website?

The NDA 1 2026 result was declared at upsc.gov.in after the 12 April exam. UPSC publishes the result as a PDF containing roll numbers of candidates shortlisted for SSB. Individual marks are not disclosed at this stage. Shortlisted candidates receive an SSB interview call letter from the respective Service Headquarters.

What are the expected NDA II 2026 notification and exam dates as per the UPSC annual schedule?

Based on UPSC's annual cycle, the NDA II notification is expected in June 2026 and the NDA 2 2026 exam date is expected in September 2026. These are projections based on the UPSC annual calendar 2026 and historical patterns. Official dates will be confirmed once the vacancy notification UPSC releases appears on upsc.gov.in.

If you haven't decided on your preferred service branch yet, go through the detailed Army vs Navy career comparison before submitting your SSB preferences, it will help you make a well-informed choice.