UPSC NDA & NA (I): Exam Date, Notification & Latest Update

NDA & NA (I) 2027 at a glance: who it is for and what it offers

The National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) is the Armed Forces’ single largest combined entry point for 12th-pass Indian men and women who wish to serve as officers. Run by the Union Public Service Commission, the exam recruits cadets for the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla and for the 4-year B.Tech course at the Naval Academy, Ezhimala. Unlike the CDS exam, which is open only to graduates, NDA & NA is open to Class 12 pass-outs, making it one of the few routes into the officer cadre immediately after school.

What the job entails is a life of leadership, adventure and responsibility. Army cadets train for infantry, armoured and artillery streams; Navy cadets learn navigation, engineering and aviation; Air Force cadets prepare for flying, technical and ground duty branches. Post-commission, officers are posted across India and abroad, with frequent postings and the possibility of UN missions. The career progression is steep: from Lieutenant to Colonel in 15–18 years, with opportunities for higher studies at the Defence Services Staff College, National Defence College and foreign staff colleges.

For a Class 12 student deciding between engineering, medicine, law or the Armed Forces, NDA & NA offers a unique blend of academic rigour, physical training and early responsibility. It is not a fallback option; it is a deliberate choice for those who see themselves leading teams in high-pressure environments. The exam itself is conducted in three stages—preliminary written test and SSB interview—with the preliminary scheduled for 11 April 2027 and the SSB interview following months later for those who qualify.

Vacancies and competition — the realistic odds in 2027

The number of vacancies for NDA & NA (I) 2027 will be notified by the UPSC on 2 December 2026. In recent cycles, the Army wing has advertised around 200–250 posts, the Air Force and Naval Academy wings about 50–70 each, and the Naval Academy’s 4-year B.Tech course about 30–40 posts. The total number of candidates who sit the preliminary exam is typically between 300,000 and 400,000, with roughly 8,000–10,000 called for the SSB interview and the final merit list usually containing 350–450 names.

These numbers translate into a preliminary cut-off that hovers around 320–340 marks out of 900 in recent years, meaning only the top 0.5–0.8% of candidates clear the first gate. The SSB is a personality and leadership assessment that filters out candidates who cannot demonstrate officer-like qualities. For a Class 12 student, the realistic target is therefore to finish in the top 1% of the preliminary exam, then perform consistently across the SSB stages.

Eligibility — the essential checklist before you apply

The eligibility rules for NDA & NA (I) 2027 are set out in the official notification released on 2 December 2026. Candidates must confirm their age, educational qualification and nationality directly from the UPSC website, as these details vary slightly from cycle to cycle. The notification will also specify any attempt limits and the documentary proofs required at each stage. Do not rely on memory or last year’s rules; the UPSC may tighten or relax a criterion without notice.

As a broad guide, applicants are typically required to be unmarried male or female Indian citizens who have passed Class 12 or equivalent by the date of admission. The age window is usually between 16½ and 19½ years on the first day of the month in which the course begins. Female candidates are eligible for all streams except the Naval Academy’s 4-year B.Tech course. These details, however, are subject to the official notification; always verify them before investing time in preparation.

Stages of the exam — what happens and when

Stage 1 – Preliminary Written Examination

The preliminary exam is a single objective-type paper of 270 minutes duration. It is divided into two sections: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks). Mathematics tests Class 11–12 level problem-solving, while GAT tests a wide syllabus that includes English, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Affairs. The paper is designed to be a blunt filter; the examiner is less interested in deep knowledge than in quick recall and accuracy under time pressure.

Stage 3 – SSB Interview

The Service Selection Board interview is a five-day assessment of officer-like qualities: intelligence, personality, social adaptability and leadership potential. The board uses a battery of tests—Officer Intelligence Rating, Picture Perception & Description Test, Situation Reaction Test, Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Personal Interview and conference. The Personal Interview is not an academic viva; it is a conversation designed to reveal values, motivations and resilience. Candidates who reach this stage have already cleared two written filters; the SSB is the final hurdle.

Syllabus — the broad terrain you need to cover

Mathematics (Preliminary)

Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Statistics and Probability.

General Ability Test (Preliminary)

English: Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension, cohesion.
Physics: Physical Properties and States of Matter, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density and Specific Gravity, Principle of Archimedes, Pressure Barometer.
Chemistry: Physical and Chemical Changes, Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Symbols, Formulae and simple Chemical Equations, Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems).
General Science: Difference between Living and Non-living, Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms and Tissues, Elementary knowledge of Human Body and Organ Systems.
History, Freedom Movement, Civics: Ancient to modern India, including the Constituent Assembly and fundamental duties.
Geography: Earth, its shape and size, Latitudes and Longitudes, Concep