The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released its Annual Calendar 2027, confirming the schedule for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2027 commonly known as NDA 1 2027. This examination selects candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, and for the Indian Naval Academy (INA) Course.
The official calendar provides fixed dates for notification, application, and the written examination. As of August 2026, the detailed notification has not yet been published; it will contain exact vacancies, final eligibility wording, application instructions, and other specifics. All dates remain subject to change if circumstances warrant, as noted in the UPSC calendar.
Official Important Dates for NDA 1 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 2 December 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 2 December 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission of Applications | 22 December 2026 |
| Admit Card Release (Expected) | First week of April 2027 |
| Written Examination | 11 April 2027 (Sunday) |
| Written Result (Expected) | Last week of April / early May 2027 |
| SSB Interviews | Likely from July 2027 onwards |
These dates are taken directly from the UPSC Annual Calendar 2027 (uploaded on 20 May 2026).
For comparison, NDA 2 2027 is scheduled with notification on 12 May 2027, last date 1 June 2027, and exam on 19 September 2027.
Notification Details
The NDA 1 2027 notification will be published on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) on 2 December 2026. It will be a detailed PDF covering:
- Exact number of vacancies (provisional) for Army, Navy, Air Force (Flying and Ground Duty), and Naval Academy.
- Complete eligibility criteria.
- Application procedure and fee.
- Exam centres.
- Syllabus and scheme of examination.
- Physical and medical standards.
- Instructions for SSB interviews and final selection.
Candidates should download the official notification and read it carefully once released. Coaching websites and secondary sources often summarise it, but the UPSC PDF remains the only authoritative document.
Eligibility Criteria (Expected – Based on Established Pattern)
Eligibility rules remain largely consistent year to year. Final confirmation will appear in the December 2026 notification.
1. Nationality
- Citizen of India, or
- Subject of Nepal / Bhutan, or
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling, or
- Person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam, etc.) with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Certain categories require a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India (Gorkhas of Nepal are exempt).
2. Age Limit / Date of Birth
Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than 2 July 2008 and not later than 1 July 2011 are expected to be eligible.
This corresponds to the standard 16½ to 19½ years age bracket calculated with reference to the likely course commencement date (around 1 January 2028).
- The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or equivalent certificate is the only accepted proof.
- No age relaxation is provided under any category.
- Candidates must remain unmarried until completion of training.
This range is consistent with the progressive pattern seen in previous notifications (e.g., NDA 1 2026: 2 July 2007 – 1 July 2010; NDA 2 2026: 1 January 2008 – 1 January 2011).
To check your age correctly use this Age Calculator.
3. Educational Qualification
- Army Wing of NDA: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
- Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at INA: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or equivalent.
Candidates appearing in the 12th Class examination are also eligible, provided they produce the original pass certificate by a specified date (usually around June of the following year). Candidates appearing only in Class 11 are not eligible.
4. Marital Status
Only unmarried candidates are eligible. Marriage during the training period leads to dismissal.
5. Physical and Medical Standards
Candidates must meet the physical standards prescribed by the Services Selection Board (height, weight, eyesight, etc.). Detailed standards are given in the notification appendices. There are relaxations for candidates from certain regions (e.g., hilly areas, Gorkhas, etc.). Medical examination is conducted after the SSB.
Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply. Selection is conducted in a gender-pure manner (separate merit lists).
Application Process (Expected)
- Applications will be accepted only online through the UPSC website.
- Candidates need a valid One-Time Registration (OTR) on the UPSC portal.
- Application fee is usually ₹100 for general/OBC male candidates; female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempt.
- Photograph, signature, and photo ID details must be uploaded as per specifications.
- Correction window is usually provided for a short period after the last date.
Aspirants are advised to keep documents ready well in advance (Class 10 certificate for DOB, Class 12 marksheet/admit card, photo ID, etc.).
Exam Pattern and Selection Process
The selection process has two stages:
Stage 1 – Written Examination (Objective Type)
- Mathematics (Paper I): 300 marks, 2½ hours
- General Ability Test (GAT – Paper II): 600 marks, 2½ hours
- English: 200 marks
- General Knowledge: 400 marks
Negative marking of â…“rd is applicable. The exam is conducted offline (pen-and-paper) at centres across India.
Stage 2 – SSB Interview
Candidates who clear the written exam (and meet the cut-off) are called for the Services Selection Board interview (approx. 5 days). It includes Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests, Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT), Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, Personal Interview, and Conference.
Final merit is prepared on the basis of written + SSB marks (subject to medical fitness and vacancy).
Vacancies
Exact vacancies will be notified in December 2026. In recent cycles (e.g., NDA 2 2026), total provisional vacancies stood at 394 (including a small number of seats for female candidates across services). Numbers fluctuate based on training capacity and service requirements.
What Aspirants Should Do Now (August 2026)
With the written exam scheduled for 11 April 2027, serious candidates (especially those in Class 11 or early Class 12) have a clear 8-month window after the notification and nearly 20 months from now for structured preparation.
Recommended focus areas:
- Complete Class 11–12 Mathematics syllabus thoroughly (NCERT + previous years’ papers).
- Build strong English grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- Cover General Knowledge systematically (History, Geography, Polity, Current Affairs, Science, Defence-related topics).
- Start physical fitness training early (running, push-ups, sit-ups, etc.).
- Practice previous years’ UPSC NDA papers under timed conditions.
- You can also join the NDA online classes for best preparation.
Keep checking the official UPSC website regularly for the notification PDF and any updates to the calendar.
Official Sources
- UPSC Annual Calendar 2027: Available on upsc.gov.in under Examinations → Exam Calendar.
- All future updates, notification, admit cards, and results will be published only on the official UPSC website.
Note: Dates and eligibility details given above are based on the official UPSC Calendar 2027 and the established pattern of recent notifications. Candidates must rely solely on the official NDA 1 2027 notification once it is released on 2 December 2026 for final and binding information.
This examination remains one of the most prestigious entry routes into the Indian Armed Forces for young aspirants. Early and consistent preparation aligned with the confirmed timeline will give candidates a clear advantage.
