Good news for students aspiring to join India's armed forces! The deadline to apply for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I) 2026 is tomorrow, December 30, 2025. If you dream of becoming an officer in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force, make sure you complete your online application by 6 PM on the official UPSC websites. This is your chance to start a respected career serving the nation.
The NDA and NA exams are held twice a year and are a gateway for young individuals to join the prestigious National Defence Academy. This particular exam, NDA (I) 2026, aims to fill a total of 394 vacancies. These positions are distributed across various wings: 208 for the Army, 42 for the Navy, and 120 for the Air Force. Additionally, 24 vacancies are available for the Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). The written examination for this entry is set for April 12, 2026. It is crucial for all eligible students to submit their applications well in advance to prevent any technical problems that may arise on the last day.
To apply for these esteemed positions, candidates must visit the official online portals of UPSC: upsc.gov.in and upsconline.nic.in. This entrance scheme is specifically designed for students who are currently in their 12th standard or have already passed it, providing a direct path to officer training after school.
Application Fee Details
The application process includes a fee payment for most candidates. Understanding the fee structure is important:
- Candidates belonging to the General, OBC (Other Backward Classes), and EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) categories are required to pay an application fee of INR 100.
- However, UPSC provides fee exemptions for several categories to encourage wider participation. Students from SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe) categories, all female candidates, and the children of JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officers), NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers), and ORs (Other Ranks) are completely exempt from paying any application fee. This allows many eligible students to apply without financial burden.
Important Dates to Remember
Keep these critical dates marked in your calendar to ensure you do not miss any part of the application process for NDA (I) 2026:
| Event | Date and Time |
| NDA 1 Last Date to Apply | December 30, 2025 |
| Application Deadline Time | 6:00 PM |
| NDA 1 Exam Date | April 12, 2026 |
How to Fill the NDA 1 Application Form 2026
The application for NDA (I) 2026 is an online process. Follow these straightforward steps to successfully submit your form:
- Step 1: Visit the Official Website. Go to the UPSC's dedicated online application portal: upsconline.nic.in. This is the primary site for all exam applications.
- Step 2: Create an Account. On the website's main page, locate the section titled "Account Creation." Here, you will register yourself by entering essential details such as your email ID and mobile number, along with other required personal information. It's vital to provide accurate contact details for all future communication regarding the exam.
- Step 3: Log In to Your Account. After successfully creating your account, you will need to log in to proceed. You have a few options for logging in:
- Using your registered email ID and the password you created.
- Using your registered mobile number and a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to that number.
- Using your Universal Registration Number (URN) and password, if you have one from previous UPSC applications.
- Step 4: Pay Application Fee and Select Exam Centre. Once logged in, the system will guide you to the payment section. Pay the applicable NDA application fee (INR 100 for General, OBC, EWS; no fee for SC, ST, female, and specific service personnel's children). At this stage, you must also select your preferred exam centre. Choose a location that is most convenient for you to appear for the exam.
- Step 5: Submit Your Application. After completing the fee payment and selecting your centre, carefully review all the details you have entered in the application form. Double-check for any errors or missing information. Once you are certain everything is correct, click on the "Submit" button to finalize your application.
Remember, it is highly recommended to complete your application process well before the final deadline of December 30, 2025, at 6 PM. This approach helps in avoiding any technical glitches, slow internet speeds, or last-minute rush that could prevent you from submitting your form on time. A timely application ensures you are all set for the NDA (I) 2026 exam on April 12, 2026.
