Last updated: 24 October 2026. The NDA and Naval Academy (NA) Examination, conducted by UPSC twice a year, is the main route for school students to become officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force. This guide covers NDA (I) 2027 and NDA (II) 2027: dates, eligibility, exam pattern, the SSB interview and how Sainik School, RMS and RIMC students prepare for it.
NDA 2027 Dates (UPSC Calendar 2027)
Exam | Notification | Last date to apply | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|
NDA & NA (I) 2027 | 2 December 2026 | 22 December 2026 | 11 April 2027 |
NDA & NA (II) 2027 | 12 May 2027 | 1 June 2027 | 19 September 2027 |
UPSC says calendar dates may change; apply only on the UPSC website after the official notification. Vacancies (around 400 per exam across NDA and the Naval Academy in recent years) are announced in each notification.
Eligibility (Usual Rules)
Age: 16½ to 19½ years on the course start date. The exact date-of-birth range is given in each notification.
Education: Class 12 passed or appearing. Army wing: any stream. Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Marital status: unmarried candidates only.
Gender: both men and women can apply.
Physical and medical standards as laid down by the services.
Exam Pattern
Stage | Paper | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Written | Mathematics (120 questions) | 300 | 2.5 hours |
Written | General Ability Test: English 200 + General Knowledge 400 (150 questions) | 600 | 2.5 hours |
SSB | 5-day SSB interview (intelligence and personality tests) | 900 | — |
Total | 1,800 |
The written exam has negative marking (one-third of the marks for a question). Candidates who clear the written cut-off are called for the SSB interview, followed by a medical examination. Final merit uses written plus SSB marks.
How Sainik, RMS and RIMC Students Prepare
Sainik Schools, Rashtriya Military Schools and RIMC are designed as feeder schools for the NDA: CBSE academics with strong maths, physical training and SSB-style personality development from Class 6. A child who joins at Class 6 or 9 gets 4 to 7 years of preparation for NDA. See our guides to AISSEE 2027, RMS CET 2026 and RIMC.
Preparation Plan for NDA
Mathematics: Class 11–12 algebra, trigonometry, calculus, vectors, statistics and probability. Practise previous papers under time limits.
GAT English: grammar, vocabulary and comprehension.
GAT General Knowledge: physics, chemistry, general science, history, geography, polity and current affairs.
SSB: work on communication, group discussion, physical fitness and self-awareness from Class 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is NDA 1 2027 exam?
On 11 April 2027, according to the UPSC Calendar 2027. The notification is due on 2 December 2026.
Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes. Women are eligible for NDA and the Naval Academy.
Can a Class 12 student apply for NDA?
Yes. Students appearing in Class 12 can apply and must submit proof of passing by the date in the notification.
Is there negative marking in NDA?
Yes. One-third of the marks for a question are deducted for each wrong answer.
How do Sainik School students do in NDA?
Sainik Schools are among the largest feeders to NDA, because their training targets NDA from Class 6.
Related Guides
Sources: UPSC Calendar 2027; previous NDA & NA notifications.
