NDA 2026 — National Defence Academy Exam, Salary ₹56,100, Eligibility & Apply Online
The National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam 2026 is conducted by UPSC twice a year and is the most prestigious entry route into the Indian Armed Forces — Army, Navy, and Air Force. NDA offers a unique opportunity for 12th pass candidates to become commissioned officers with a starting salary of ₹56,100 per month and an honour of serving the nation.
📌 NDA 2026 — Key Highlights
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Total Vacancies: 400+ (NDA-I) + 400+ (NDA-II)
- Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force
- Eligibility: 12th Pass (Age 16.5 to 19.5 years)
- Starting Salary: ₹56,100/month (Lieutenant)
- Official Website: upsc.gov.in
NDA 2026 — Forces & Vacancies
| Service | Vacancies (NDA-I) | Qualification Required |
|---|---|---|
| Army | 208 | 12th Pass (Any stream) |
| Navy | 42 | 12th Pass with Physics & Maths |
| Air Force (Flying) | 92 | 12th Pass with Physics & Maths |
| Air Force (Ground/Technical) | 18 | 12th Pass with Physics & Maths |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet) | 30 | 12th Pass with Physics & Maths |
NDA 2026 — Salary & Career Growth
| Rank | Basic Pay | Military Service Pay | Total (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant (Starting) | ₹56,100 | ₹15,500 | ₹80,000–₹1,00,000 |
| Captain | ₹61,300 | ₹15,500 | ₹90,000–₹1,20,000 |
| Major | ₹69,400 | ₹15,500 | ₹1,00,000–₹1,40,000 |
| Colonel | ₹1,30,600 | ₹15,500 | ₹1,80,000–₹2,20,000 |
NDA 2026 — Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 hours |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (English + GK) | 600 | 2.5 hours |
| Total Written | — | 900 | — |
| SSB Interview | Intelligence + Personality Test | 900 | 5 days |
| Grand Total | — | 1800 | — |
⚠️ Negative Marking: 1/3 marks deducted per wrong answer in both papers. Mathematics is most important — aim for 200+ in Paper 1.
NDA offers the best career growth in India. Alongside NDA, also check UPSC Civil Services 2026 for IAS/IPS positions.
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UPSC IAS 2026 — Salary ₹2.5L
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CRPF Constable — 9,212 Posts
NDA 2026 — Defence Jobs
SSC Stenographer — 1,715 Posts
PM Kisan 19th — ₹4,000
Ayushman Bharat — ₹5 Lakh
Sukanya Samriddhi — 8.2%
PM Awas Yojana — Free House
PM Mudra — ₹10 Lakh Loan
PM Ujjwala — Free Gas
Atal Pension — ₹5,000/month
NDA 2026 — Benefits After Joining
- ✅ Free housing in military cantonment areas
- ✅ Free medical for self and family at military hospitals (ECHS)
- ✅ Canteen facilities at subsidized prices (CSD)
- ✅ Education allowance for children
- ✅ Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for family
- ✅ Pension after 20 years of service
- ✅ Ex-servicemen benefits after retirement
How to Apply for NDA 2026
- Visit upsconline.nic.in
- Click "Online Application for NDA & NA Examination 2026"
- Register and fill Part I (personal details)
- Fill Part II (education, preferences)
- Upload photo and signature
- Pay fee: ₹100 | Free for SC/ST/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs
- Submit and print confirmation page
💡 Preparation: Focus on Class 11-12 Mathematics (Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry). For GAT — read The Hindu newspaper daily and NCERT books. Physical fitness: Run 3km daily and do push-ups/chin-ups. Join SSBCrack.com for SSB interview preparation.
Important Official Links
- 🔗 upsc.gov.in — Official UPSC NDA notification
- 🔗 upsconline.nic.in — Apply online
- 🔗 joinindianarmy.nic.in — Indian Army details
- 🔗 JobKaka.com — All defence job updates
✍️
Nevlite Editorial Team
Government exam experts & career counselors with 10+ years experience. All information verified from official government sources.
