The NDA 1 Notification 2026 is officially scheduled to be released tomorrow, marking the beginning of a new opportunity for thousands of young aspirants who dream of joining the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. As per the official UPSC calendar, the NDA 1 Notification 2026 will be published on December 10, 2025, on the official website upsc.gov.in.
This announcement kickstarts the application and preparation cycle for one of India’s most prestigious defence examinations. In this article, brought to you by GAPS SSB, you will find a complete and simplified breakdown of the NDA 1 Notification 2026, covering eligibility, exam schedule, age criteria, vacancy details, and the correct way to fill the online form.
GAPS SSB has guided hundreds of successful candidates toward their dream uniform, and this article serves as your reliable handbook as you begin your NDA journey.
NDA 1 Notification 2026 – Key Highlights
Before diving into the detailed explanation, here is a quick overview of the important features of the NDA 1 Notification 2026:
| Exam Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026 |
| Notification Release | December 10, 2025 |
| Application Dates | December 10–30, 2025 |
| Exam Date | April 12, 2026 |
| Mode | Offline |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam + SSB Interview |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
The NDA 1 Notification 2026 officially brings clarity to exam rules, eligibility and application procedures for all defence aspirants.
NDA 1 Notification 2026 – Important Dates
Candidates must track the officially announced dates carefully to avoid missing deadlines. All dates below are directly aligned with the NDA 1 Notification 2026 schedule:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | December 10, 2025 |
| Application Start | December 10, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | December 30, 2025 (till 6 PM) |
| Correction Window | 1st Week of January 2026 |
| Admit Card | Last Week of March 2026 |
| Exam Date | April 12, 2026 |
| Result | May 2026 |
| SSB Interview | July – September 2026 |
These dates form the backbone of the NDA 1 Notification 2026, and candidates must adhere to them without fail.
NDA 1 Notification 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is the most crucial component of the NDA 1 Notification 2026, as even a small error can lead to application rejection.
1. Age Limit
As per NDA 1 Notification 2026, the date of birth range is:
- Born not earlier than 2nd July 2007
- Born not later than 1st July 2010
Only unmarried male and female candidates can apply.
Your date of birth must match your Class 10 Certificate.
2. Educational Qualification
- Army Wing: Passed Class 12 (any stream).
- Air Force & Navy: Passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics.
- Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry): PCM required.
According to the NDA 1 Notification 2026, students appearing in Class 12 exams in 2026 are also eligible.
How to Apply for NDA 1 2026
The NDA 1 Notification 2026 clearly specifies that the entire form must be filled online at upsconline.nic.in.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: OTR Registration
Register on the One-Time Registration platform (if you haven’t already).
Step 2: Login
Use your registered mobile or email and OTP.
Step 3: Part-I Registration
Enter personal details, education details, choice of wings, etc.
Step 4: Part-II Registration
- Pay Fee: ₹100 (General/OBC males)
- Free for: SC/ST, females
Step 5: Select Exam Centre
Allotment is first-apply-first-serve, as stated in the NDA 1 Notification 2026.
Step 6: Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned photo and signature in correct format.
Step 7: Final Submission
Check and submit. Take a printout.
NDA 1 2026 Vacancy Details (As Per Previous Trends)
The NDA 1 Notification 2026 will release exact vacancies, but the expected distribution is:
National Defence Academy – ~370 Posts
- Army – 208
- Navy – 42
- Air Force – 120 (Flying, Ground Duty Tech/Non-Tech)
Naval Academy – ~30 Posts
(10+2 Cadet Entry)
Total expected: ~400 Posts
Exam Pattern – As Mentioned in NDA 1 Notification 2026
The exam will be of 900 marks:
1. Mathematics
- 300 Marks
- 120 Questions
- 2.5 Hours
2. General Ability Test (GAT)
- 600 Marks
- 150 Questions
Subjects include:
English, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, General Science & Current Affairs.
Negative marking: 1/3rd per wrong answer.
The NDA 1 Notification 2026 confirms no changes to the exam pattern.
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Once the written exam is cleared, the next challenge is the SSB interview. This is where GAPS SSB becomes your greatest asset.
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Train under retired Armed Forces officers and assessors.
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Flexible entry for all NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and other entries.
If you want the best practical exposure and expert guidance after the NDA 1 Notification 2026, GAPS SSB is your ideal training ground.
FAQs (As Per NDA 1 Notification 2026 Guidelines)
1. When will the NDA 1 2026 Notification be released?
It will be released on December 10, 2025.
2. What is the exam date?
The exam will be held on April 12, 2026.
3. Can candidates born in 2006 apply?
No. They are overage as per NDA 1 Notification 2026 guidelines.
4. What is the application fee?
₹100 for General/OBC males.
Free for SC/ST/Females.