Quick answer
The NDA & NA exam, conducted by UPSC twice a year, is the main way to become an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force straight after Class 12. UPSC’s 2027 calendar lists NDA (I) 2027 on 11 April 2027 (notification on 2 December 2026) and NDA (II) on 19 September 2027. You need to be 16½ to 19½ years old and unmarried; Class 12 in any stream for the Army, and with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for the Air Force and Navy. Women can apply. The written exam (Mathematics 300 + General Ability 600) is followed by a 900-mark SSB interview. JEE students also have two more routes: the Army TES and Navy B.Tech entry, which use the JEE Main rank.
NDA 2027 dates
| Exam | Notification | Exam date |
|---|---|---|
| NDA & NA (I) 2027 | 2 December 2026 (apply by about 22 December) | 11 April 2027 |
| NDA & NA (II) 2027 | May 2027 | 19 September 2027 |
From UPSC’s annual calendar for 2027; UPSC can change dates, so confirm on upsc.gov.in and apply only through upsconline.nic.in.
Eligibility
- Age: 16½ to 19½ years on the course start date set in each notification (the exact birth-date window is in the notification). No age relaxation for any category.
- Marital status: unmarried, and must stay unmarried during training.
- Education: Class 12 passed or appearing. Army wing: any stream. Air Force and Navy wings, and the Naval Academy: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Women: eligible for NDA, with the same age and education rules.
- Physical and medical standards are checked after the SSB. Eyesight and height rules differ by service; read the notification’s appendix.
Exam pattern and selection
| Stage | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I: Mathematics | 2½ hours, objective, Class 11–12 level | 300 |
| Paper II: General Ability Test | 2½ hours: English and General Knowledge (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, history, geography, current events) | 600 |
| SSB interview | About 5 days: screening, psychology tests, group tasks and personal interview | 900 |
| Medical examination | By service medical boards | Qualifying |
The written papers have negative marking for wrong answers. Final merit is on the written total plus SSB marks. Selected cadets train for three years at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla (Pune), earning a degree, then a year at their service academy before being commissioned as officers.
NDA and JEE together
The NDA Mathematics paper and the science part of the GAT overlap heavily with JEE Main preparation, so many students prepare for both. Add English and current affairs for the GAT, and prepare separately for the SSB, which tests personality, not marks.
Other defence entries after Class 12 and after graduation
| Entry | When | Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Army 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) | After Class 12 PCM (60% aggregate in PCM), unmarried men | Shortlisting on JEE Main rank, then SSB; engineering degree and commission |
| Indian Navy 10+2 B.Tech Cadet Entry | After Class 12 PCM, unmarried men and women | Shortlisting on JEE Main rank, then SSB; B.Tech at the Indian Naval Academy |
| Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam | After graduation | UPSC written exam, then SSB |
| Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) | After graduation (B.Tech for technical branches) | IAF written test, then AFSB interview |
More on the JEE-based entries and on DRDO, ISRO and BARC: government careers through JEE. All career paths: careers after JEE.
When is the NDA 2027 exam?
UPSC’s 2027 calendar lists NDA & NA (I) 2027 on 11 April 2027, with the notification on 2 December 2026, and NDA & NA (II) 2027 on 19 September 2027. Confirm on upsc.gov.in.
What is the age limit for NDA?
16½ to 19½ years on the course start date in the notification, for both men and women, with no category relaxation.
Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes. Women are eligible for NDA with the same age and educational requirements as men.
Is PCM compulsory for NDA?
Only for the Air Force and Navy wings and the Naval Academy. For the Army wing, Class 12 in any stream is enough.
What is the NDA exam pattern?
Two written papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600 marks), each 2½ hours with negative marking, followed by a 900-mark SSB interview.
Can I join the Army with JEE Main instead of NDA?
Yes, through the Army 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme, which shortlists candidates with 60% in PCM on their JEE Main rank for the SSB. The Navy’s 10+2 B.Tech entry also uses the JEE Main rank.