HomeGovernment ExamsDefence ExamsNDA & NAPreparation Guide & Schedule
Comprehensive Coverage

How We Prepare You For NDA & NA 2026

Xamsathi's Officer Elite Pass is engineered for students who want to clear the written + SSB stages in their first attempt.

Advanced Maths

UPSC Grade chapter tests for Calculus, Trigonometry, and Algebra with step-by-step logic.

GAT Simulation

150-question 600-mark full simulators covering Physics, English, and National Events.

SSB OIR Modules

Prepare for Day 1 Screening with Officers Intelligence Rating (OIR) practice sets.

Daily Current Affairs

Defence focused daily news, awards, and sports updates tailored for GAT section.

105+ Total Tests Hindi & English AI SSB Profile

UPSC NDA & NA 2026 Complete Guide

Official details, patterns, and preparation strategy for serious aspirants.

🏔️ Gateway to Officer Rank
NDA & NA exam is conducted by UPSC for admission into the National Defence Academy (Army, Navy, Air Force) and Indian Naval Academy. It is conducted twice a year (NDA I & NDA II) for students aiming for direct officer commission at a young age.

NDA & NA 2026 Expected Dates

NDA I 2026
NotificationDec 2025
Exam DateApril 2026
NDA II 2026
NotificationMay 2026
Exam DateSept 2026

Official Website: upsc.gov.in

Eligibility Standards

Academic Qualifications
  • Army Wing: 12th Pass in any stream.
  • Navy & Air Force: 12th Pass with Physics & Maths.
  • Appearing: 12th appearing students can also apply.
Age & Status
  • Range: 16.5 to 19.5 years.
  • Unmarried: Mandatory for both Male & Female.
  • Nationality: Citizen of India / Nepal / Tibetan Refugee.

Physical Standards

Army Height
157 cm
Air Force Height
162.5 cm
Navy Height
157 cm
Weight
Proportionate to Height

Exam Pattern (Written Stage)

Paper 1: Maths

Total Marks300
Questions120
Time Duration150 Mins

Negative Marking: -0.83

Paper 2: GAT

Total Marks600
English200m
General Knowledge400m
Time Duration150 Mins

Negative Marking: -1.33

Written Total900m
SSB Interview900m
Final Selection Merit1800m

Detailed Chapter-Wise Syllabus

1. Mathematics (300 Marks)
Algebra
Quadratic EquationsMatricesDeterminantsComplex NumbersLogarithmsBinomial Theorem
Trigonometry
Trig RatiosIdentitiesHeights & DistancesInverse Trig
Calculus
LimitsDifferentiationIntegrationDiff Equations
Analytical Geometry
Straight LinesCircleParabolaEllipseHyperbola
Statistics & Prob
Mean/MedianVarianceStd DeviationProbability
2. English & Vocabulary (200 Marks)
Grammar UsageSpotting ErrorsSynonyms & AntonymsIdioms & PhrasesReading ComprehensionSentence ImprovementVocab Building
3. General Knowledge & Science (400 Marks)
Science Module
Physics (Optics, Energy)
Chemistry (Acids, Metals)
Biology (Diseases, Cells)
Social Science
History (Freedom Movement)
Geography (Soil, Climate)
Polity (Constitution)
Current Affairs Special

Focus on Defence news, latest missile tests, military exercises with foreign nations, Gallantry awards, and major International Events from the last 12 months.

Updated Monthly in Pro Pass

SSB Interview & Rank Benefits

The 5-Day SSB Process (900 Marks)

1

Day 1: Screening

OIR Test & PPDT (Picture Perception & Description Test).

2-4

Psychology & GTO Tests

WAT, TAT, Command Task, Group Planning, and personal interview.

5

The Conference

Final recommendation by the board of officers.

Starting Salary
₹56,100+
Lieutenant's Basic Pay
(Excluding Allowances)
During Training Stippend: ₹56,100/mo. Military benefits provided.

Preparation Blueprint 2026

1

Calculus & Trig Focus

NDA Maths depends 40% on Calculus. Master differentiation and integration first for a major score boost.

2

Previous 10 Year PYQs

UPSC NDA logic repeats. Solving the last 20 sets will give you the baseline required to clear the sectional cutoff.

3

English Vocab Daily

GAT English (200m) is the highest-scoring section. Learn 10 New Antonyms/Synonyms every day from our Elite Pass.

4

Mental & Physical Routine

SSB is personality based. Improve your confidence through group speaking and running for physical stamina.

"The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war."

Start Early for 2026
NDA vs CDS ComparisonNDACDS
Qualification12th PassGraduation
Age Limit16.5–19.519–24/25
Training Duration3 + 1 Years1.5 Years
Selection RatioVery CompetitiveHighly Selective