Country edition: India
Student Journey Blueprint

How to become a Defence Officer via NDA — your road, class by class

Class 8 to working life ·Last checked 25 Oct 2026

The one-line route: Unmarried and born inside the notice's window (1 Jan 2008 – 1 Jan 2011 for NDA (II) 2026) → Class 12 (Physics, Chemistry and Maths for Navy and Air Force) → UPSC NDA & NA written exam → SSB interview (+ pilot test for flying) → 3 years at NDA → service academy → commission as an officer. [1]

Pick your class and the road below starts where you stand.

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01 Your road, stage by stage

What to do from your class onward

  1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

    Maths and English decide the written paper

    • The written exam is Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600) — English 200 + General Knowledge 400 (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography and Current Events). No calculators. [1]
    • Start running and swimming now. Medical and physical standards are checked after SSB, and they are listed in Appendix III of every notice. [1]
  2. You are here Class 10

    Choose PCM if you want the Navy or Air Force

    • Army wing: Class 12 pass in any stream. Air Force and Naval wings, and the 10+2 Cadet Entry at the Indian Naval Academy: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. [1]
    • Your Class 10 certificate is the only proof of date of birth UPSC accepts — check that it is correct now. [1]
  3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

    Apply while you are in Class 12

    • Students appearing in Class 12 can apply; proof of passing was due by 10 June 2027 for NDA (II) 2026. Class 11 students cannot apply. [1]
    • You must stay unmarried until training ends. A cadet who marries during training is discharged and must refund the cost of training. [1]
    • UPSC holds the NDA & NA exam twice a year (I and II), so a Class 12 student usually gets more than one try inside the age window.
  4. You are here In college · Graduated

    Past the age window?

    • NDA is a school-level entry. After the birth-date window closes, graduate entries such as UPSC's Combined Defence Services exam are the route to a commission.

Your school board

The Mathematics paper and Part B (General Knowledge) of the GAT are set in both Hindi and English. [1]

CBSE, CISCE and state-board certificates count the same for every national exam on this page. Notes for particular state boards are under State rules below.

02 Exam anatomy

The exam, stage by stage

UPSC NDA & NA Examination (II) 2026 → SSB · Union Public Service Commission · Services Selection Boards

Vacancies
394 (370 men, 24 women) — 158th NDA course and 120th INAC, from 1 Jul 2027 [1]
Written exam
Mathematics 300 + General Ability Test 600; objective, OMR [1]
Fee
₹100 · SC / ST, women and eligible wards of JCOs / NCOs / ORs exempt [1]
2026 cycle
Notified 20 May · exam 13 Sep · written result 9 Oct 2026 [1] [2]
UPSC NDA & NA Examination (II) 2026 → SSB stages
StageWhat it isMarkingRule
Written (UPSC)Mathematics 300 + GAT 600 (English 200, General Knowledge 400)Wrong answer: −⅓ of that question's marksQualifying marks set by UPSC; men and women ranked separately
SSB Stage IOfficer Intelligence Rating tests + Picture Perception and Description Test—Only those who clear Stage I go on
SSB Stage IIInterview, group testing tasks, psychology tests and the conference, over 4 daysSSB carries 900 marksAssessed by the interviewing officer, GTO and psychologist
CPSS (flying only)Computerised Pilot Selection System for the Air Force flying branch—Taken once in life; fail it and flying is closed, ground duties stay open
Medical and final meritMedical board against Appendix III standards; merit = written + SSB—Separate merit lists for men and women, by vacancy

Stage table source [1]

  • First-time SSB candidates get AC III-tier rail fare (or bus fare) both ways. [1]
  • NDA cadets earn JNU degrees: B.Sc, B.Sc (Computer) or B.A. at NDA, or a B.Tech completed at the next academy. Naval Academy 10+2 cadets do a 4-year B.Tech. [1]
  • This is the 2026 (II) notice. UPSC posts the NDA & NA (I) 2027 notice on upsc.gov.in — check the age window, vacancies and dates there.
Open the full exam guide
03 State rules

Rules for all of India — and your state

  • There is no state quota: men and women are selected on separate all-India merit lists against the notified vacancies. [1]

State notes we have checked (4 states / UTs)

Gujarat3 notes
  • Gujarat scholarship at NDA: ₹6,000 a year for wards of serving or ex-servicemen (officers included) who are natives or domiciles of Gujarat. [1]
  • GSEB — Gujarat State Board: UPSC counts your GSEB HSC like any 10+2 pass; your SSC certificate is the only accepted proof of date of birth. [1]
  • CBSE — studying in Gujarat: Your CBSE Class X certificate is the only proof of date of birth UPSC accepts — no birth certificates, affidavits or horoscopes. [1]
Gujarat exam & career cockpit
Maharashtra2 notes
  • Maharashtra gives a one-time ₹1,00,000 to wards of Maharashtrian ex-service officers and men training as NDA cadets; parents apply through the Zilla Sainik Welfare Office. [1]
  • MSBSHSE — Maharashtra State Board: Your SSC certificate fixes your date of birth for UPSC. Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are exam centres; NDA itself is at Khadakwasla, Pune. [1]
Maharashtra exam & career cockpit
Uttar Pradesh2 notes
  • Uttar Pradesh Sainik Punarvas Nidhi pays a one-time ₹50,000 to UP-domiciled cadets who are wards of ex-servicemen or widows up to JCO rank. [1]
  • UPMSP — Uttar Pradesh Board: Your UP Board High School certificate fixes your date of birth for UPSC. Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Prayagraj and Varanasi are among the exam centres. [1]
Uttar Pradesh exam & career cockpit
West Bengal2 notes
  • West Bengal pays a lump sum of ₹5,000 / ₹3,750 / ₹2,500 and ₹1,800 / ₹1,350 / ₹900 a semester, by family income (up to ₹9,000 a month / ₹9,001–18,000 / above), to domiciled cadets without other government aid. [1]
  • WBBSE / WBCHSE — West Bengal boards: Your Madhyamik certificate fixes your date of birth for UPSC. Kolkata and Siliguri are exam centres. [1]
West Bengal exam & career cockpit

Not in this list? The national route above applies — we found nothing in this career's official rules that changes in your state.

04 Career multiverse

Where this path can take you next

NDA

The full guide to the NDA entry.

Explore →

CDS (after graduation)

UPSC's graduate entry to IMA, INA, AFA and OTA.

Explore →

Defence coaching

NDA and SSB coaching centres near you.

Explore →

Merchant Navy

A sea career in commercial shipping instead.

Explore →

Commercial pilot

Flying as a career outside the Air Force.

Explore →
05 Money help

Scholarships, stipends and fee help

Government schemes, professional-body scholarships and paid training on this path. Pick your class above and schemes you have already passed are hidden.

Fee help Open to you now From Class 11

No NDA exam fee

Union Public Service Commission

₹0 instead of ₹100 [1]

Who
SC and ST candidates, women, and wards of serving or ex JCOs / NCOs / ORs studying in a Military School or a Sainik School (with the principal's certificate, shown at SSB). OBC and EWS candidates pay the full fee.
How
Choose the category in the online form on upsconline.nic.in.
Free training Open to you now From Class 10

Government-paid training at NDA

Government of India

Training, accommodation, books, uniform, boarding and medical treatment are paid by the Government [1]

Who
Every NDA cadet. Parents meet pocket and private expenses — the notice expects these not to exceed ₹3,000 a month — and cadets deposit ₹41,495 on arrival (pocket allowance, insurance, first-semester costs), with clothing charged later.
How
Nothing to apply for once you are selected; the joining instructions list the deposit.
Scholarship Open to you now From Class 11

Government financial assistance at NDA

Government of India

₹2,500 a month for the period of training [1]

Who
Cadets whose parents' or guardian's income is below ₹45,000 a month. If two sons or wards train at the same time, both qualify.
How
The parent applies through the District Magistrate to the Commandant, NDA, right after final selection.
Stipend Open to you now From Class 11

Fixed stipend at the service academy

Ministry of Defence

₹56,100 a month (starting pay of Level 10) during training at IMA and the other service academies [1]

Who
Cadets who move on from NDA to IMA or the equivalent Navy and Air Force academies. On commissioning, pay is fixed in the first cell of Level 10 (Lieutenant: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500).
How
Nothing to apply for — paid during academy training.
Scholarship Open to you now From Class 8

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS)

Ministry of Education, through your state

₹1,000 a month, Class 9 to 12 [3]

Who
Class 8 students of government schools who passed Class 7 with 55% (50% SC/ST, as in Nagaland's notice) and clear the state's NMMSS test. Family income limit: see the scheme rules on the National Scholarship Portal.
How
Your state's SCERT announces the test in Class 8; renewals are on scholarships.gov.in.
06 Official sources & verification

Where these facts come from

Every number on this page comes from the official files below. Lines with no number are Margdarshan guidance. Rules change every year — open the current notice before you apply.

  1. UPSC — National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2026, Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II (20 May 2026) (opens in a new tab) 394 vacancies, birth-date window, unmarried rule, wing-wise Class 12 subjects, fee and exemptions, written scheme and −⅓ marking, SSB stages, CPSS, centres, travel allowance, training cost, ₹2,500 aid, state scholarships, JNU degrees, ₹56,100 academy stipend, Level 10 pay · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  2. UPSC — Press note: Written result of NDA & NA Examination (II) 2026 (9 Oct 2026) (opens in a new tab) written result date, SSB registration on joinindianarmy.nic.in · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
  3. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.