NDA 2 Exam 2025 - Answer key, Cutoff, Result, Question Paper

Union Public Service Commission released the NDA 1 2026 application form from Decemebr 10 to 30, 2025 at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC NDA 1 notification 2026 was also released on December 10, 2025. Before applying for the NDA 1 exam, candidates need to make sure they meet the eligibility criteria. The commission has scheduled to conduct the NDA 1 2026 exam on April 12, 2026. 

As per the NDA 2026 eligibility criteria, all 12th-passed candidates between 16.5 to 19.5 years can apply for the examination. General category applicants need to pay the application fee of Rs. 100. However, SC/ST, female candidates and other reserved category candidates are exempted from paying the NDA 2 application fee.

What is the NDA exam?

The NDA exam is conducted twice every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in April and September. The NDA recruitment exam 2026 is conducted to induct eligible and qualified applicants as officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. All class 12th passed from a recognised board between the age group of 16.5 to 19.5 years can apply for the UPSC NDA exam. Those who have taken the standard 12th exam and are awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the NDA exam 2026. 

The NDA recruitment process as has two stages - a written exam and an SSB interview. The NDA written exam has two papers one of elementary mathematics and the other of general aptitude test (GAT). Both the NDA 2026 papers are conducted in offline mode.

Candidates clearing the written exam are eligible to appear for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview which is a 5-day process in which applicants are tested on various parameters to confirm their final candidature before the induction. On clearing the NDA 2026 recruitment process, candidates then have to undergo intensive training for the defence service they are selected for before they are deputed to their respective services.

What is the full form of NDA?

The NDA exam full form is National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination. However, it is commonly known and referred to as the NDA exam or UPSC NDA exam. The objective of the NDA exam is to recruit eligible and qualified candidates as officers of the defence safety and security of the country.

Candidates preparing for the NDA exam can check the NDA question papers for their effective preparations. The NDA selection process comprises a written exam followed by an SSB interview and a medical examination. UPSC NDA written exam comprises two papers - Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The duration of each test is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The maximum mark allotted to the written exam is 900. Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for an SSB interview.

NDA vacancies 

UPSC Contact Details
If candidates face any problem with any aspect of the UPSC IAS exam, they can get in touch with the Union Public Service Commission at the following address, phone number and email.

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Dholpur House,
Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 110069

Facilitation Counter: 011-24041001
Email: upscsoap@nic.in.