NDA & NA (I) 2027: Exam Date, Eligibility, Pattern, Fee

The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2027 is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for unmarried young men and women who want to join the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA and the Naval Academy's 10+2 cadet entry. As of 24 October 2026, UPSC's Annual Calendar 2027 lists the notification for 2 December 2026, the last date to apply as 22 December 2026, and the written exam on Sunday, 11 April 2027, as reported by national media. The detailed notification is not out yet, and UPSC says calendar dates can change.

Key dates

Eligibility (from the NDA & NA (II) 2026 notification)

• Who can apply: unmarried male and female candidates. Candidates must be citizens of India or fall in the other nationality categories listed in the notification.
• Age: for NDA (II) 2026, candidates had to be born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011. The birth-date window for NDA (I) 2027 will be given in its notification. Age is taken only from the matriculation or secondary school certificate.
• Army wing: Class 12 pass (10+2 pattern) or equivalent from a state or central board.
• Air Force and Naval wings, and the Naval Academy 10+2 cadet entry: Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
• Class 12 students: those appearing for the Class 12 exam can apply; Class 11 students cannot.

Exam pattern

All questions are objective, with four options. For each wrong answer, one-third (0.33) of the marks for that question is deducted. Marking more than one answer counts as a wrong answer. The General Knowledge part broadly covers Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography and Current Events.

Syllabus

The Mathematics paper and the General Ability Test (English and General Knowledge) each have a detailed topic list in the UPSC notification. Download it from upsc.gov.in when the NDA (I) 2027 notice is released on 2 December 2026.

Application fee

In the NDA (II) 2026 notification, the fee was ₹100. Female candidates, SC/ST candidates, and wards of serving or former JCOs, NCOs and ORs (as defined in the notification) were exempt. OBC and EWS candidates get no exemption. The fee is non-refundable. Confirm the NDA (I) 2027 fee in its notification.

Exam centres in Maharashtra

UPSC lists the exam centres in each notification. Check the NDA (I) 2027 notification for the Maharashtra centres before you fill the form, and choose early, as UPSC can close a centre once it is full.

What happens after the written exam

Candidates who qualify in the written exam are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) test and interview. Original age and education certificates are submitted to the SSB, not to UPSC. The final merit list combines written marks and SSB marks, subject to medical fitness. Selected cadets join the NDA (Army, Navy and Air Force wings) or the Indian Naval Academy.

Frequently asked questions

When will the NDA 1 2027 form come out?

According to the UPSC Annual Calendar 2027, the NDA & NA (I) 2027 notification is due on 2 December 2026 and the last date to apply is 22 December 2026.

What is the NDA 1 2027 exam date?

The written exam is scheduled for Sunday, 11 April 2027, as per the UPSC calendar. UPSC says calendar dates can change, so confirm on upsc.gov.in.

Can girls apply for NDA?

Yes. The NDA notifications are open to unmarried male and female candidates who meet the age and education rules.

Is there negative marking in NDA?

Yes. One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer.

Can I apply for NDA while in Class 12?

Yes. Candidates appearing in the Class 12 exam can apply. Candidates studying in Class 11 cannot.

Official sources

• Union Public Service Commission
• UPSC Annual Calendar 2027
• UPSC notification: NDA & NA Examination (II), 2026
• UPSC press note: NDA & NA (II) 2026 written result

Last checked 24 October 2026. Dates can change; always confirm on the official website.