Defence Entrance Exams 2027
The UPSC NDA & NA exam is the path from Class 12 to an officer's career in the Army, Navy and Air Force, with two attempts every year. NDA I 2027 is on 11 April and NDA II on 19 September 2027.
Updated
Defence Exams Compared
| Exam | Exam date | Registration | Questions / Marks | Negative marking | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDANational | 11 Apr 2027 | 2 – 22 Dec 2026 | 270 / 900 (written) + 900 (SSB) | Yes, −⅓ of the marks for that question | Official |
“Expected” dates are projected from last year's official schedule; “Official” dates come from the conducting body's notice.
How Defence Admissions Work in 2027
UPSC runs the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy exam twice a year. For 2027, the NDA I notification comes out on 2 December 2026 with applications closing on 22 December, and the written exam is on 11 April 2027. NDA II follows on 19 September 2027. Students in Class 12 can apply for NDA I and still have NDA II as a second chance the same year.
Selection has three stages. The written exam has two papers — Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600 marks, covering English and GK) — with negative marking. Candidates who clear the cut-off go to a five-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview worth 900 marks, followed by a medical examination. The final merit list adds written and SSB marks, so the interview matters as much as the paper.
The Army wing is open to Class 12 students from any stream, while the Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy need Physics and Mathematics. Since 2021, unmarried women can apply and train alongside male cadets. Start physical fitness and SSB preparation alongside the written exam — many candidates who clear the paper lose out at SSB.
Which Defence Exams Should I Take?
Want to join as an officer after Class 12
NDA I (April) + NDA II (September). Apply for both.
PCM student interested in the Navy
NDA (Navy wing / Naval Academy) — and keep JEE Main as a backup.
Any-stream student
NDA (Army wing) is open to all streams.
Defence Exam Calendar & Clashes
Upcoming exam days by month, and the ones that collide with other exams.
Apr 2027
Sep 2027
Watch out for these clashes
- NDA nda i exam (11 Apr 2027) is within two days of JEE Main session 2 exam (1 – 10 Apr 2027) — Engineering.
- NDA nda i exam (11 Apr 2027) overlaps with MHT CET pcm group exam (11 – 20 Apr 2027) — Engineering.
- NDA nda i exam (11 Apr 2027) is within two days of MET phase 1 exam (12 – 13 Apr 2027) — Engineering.
Where an exam offers multiple slots, book one that leaves a gap. Testing windows longer than two weeks (such as CUET UG, NPAT and NATA) aren't listed because you get or choose a single slot within them. Dates marked expected may move when official notices are out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes. Since 2021, unmarried female candidates can apply for NDA and train alongside male cadets.
When are NDA 1 and NDA 2 in 2027?
As per the UPSC Calendar 2027, NDA I is on 11 April 2027 (apply from 2 to 22 December 2026) and NDA II is on 19 September 2027.