UPSC Releases Full Schedule for NDA 1 2027: Key Dates and Details

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued its Annual Calendar for 2027, outlining the schedule for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2027, also referred to as NDA 1 2027. This examination is pivotal for selecting candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, and the Indian Naval Academy (INA) Course.

The calendar specifies fixed dates for notification, application, and the written examination. Although the detailed notification has not been released as of August 2026, it will include specifics such as exact vacancies, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and more. The dates listed are subject to change if required, as per the UPSC calendar.

Official Important Dates for NDA 1 2027

Event	Date
Notification Release	2 December 2026
Online Application Start	2 December 2026
Last Date for Submission of Applications	22 December 2026
Admit Card Release (Expected)	First week of April 2027
Written Examination	11 April 2027 (Sunday)
Written Result (Expected)	Last week of April / early May 2027
SSB Interviews	Likely from July 2027 onwards

These dates are directly sourced from the UPSC Annual Calendar 2027, which was uploaded on 20 May 2026.

For reference, NDA 2 2027 is planned with a notification on 12 May 2027, with the last application date on 1 June 2027, and the examination on 19 September 2027.

Notification Details

The notification for NDA 1 2027 will be available on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) on 2 December 2026. This comprehensive PDF will provide details on:

• Provisional vacancies for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy.
• Full eligibility criteria.
• Application process and fees.
• Examination centers.
• Syllabus and examination scheme.
• Physical and medical standards.
• Guidelines for SSB interviews and final selection.

Candidates are advised to download and review the official notification carefully once it becomes available. While coaching websites may offer summaries, the UPSC PDF is the definitive source of information.

Eligibility Criteria (Expected – Based on Established Pattern)

The eligibility criteria for NDA 1 2027 are anticipated to follow previous patterns, with final confirmation in the December 2026 notification.

1. Nationality

• Indian citizen, or
• Subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A Tibetan refugee who entered India before January 1, 1962, intending permanent settlement, or
• Person of Indian origin migrating from specified countries with the aim to settle permanently in India (certain categories require Government of India eligibility certificate, excluding Gorkhas of Nepal).

2. Age Limit / Date of Birth
Eligibility is expected for unmarried male and female candidates born between 2 July 2008 and 1 July 2011.

This conforms to the standard 16½ to 19½ years age range, based on the commencement date of the course around January 1, 2028.

• The Matriculation or equivalent certificate is the sole accepted proof of date of birth.
• No age relaxation is available for any category.
• Candidates must remain unmarried until training is completed.

This age range is consistent with previous notifications' patterns (e.g., NDA 1 2026: 2 July 2007 – 1 July 2010; NDA 2 2026: 1 January 2008 – 1 January 2011).

For accurate age calculation, use this Age Calculator.

3. Educational Qualification

• Army Wing of NDA: 12th Class pass under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or University.
• Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at INA: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or equivalent.

Candidates appearing for the 12th Class examination are also eligible, conditional upon presenting the original pass certificate by a specified date, usually around June of the subsequent year. Class 11 students are not eligible.

4. Marital Status
Only unmarried candidates are eligible. Marriage during training results in dismissal.

5. Physical and Medical Standards
Candidates must meet the prescribed physical standards set by the Services Selection Board, covering aspects such as height, weight, and eyesight. Detailed standards are included in the notification appendices, with specific relaxations available for candidates from certain regions. A medical examination follows the SSB.

Applications are open to both male and female candidates, with selection conducted through separate merit lists.

Application Process (Expected)

• Applications will be accepted exclusively online via the UPSC website.
• A valid One-Time Registration (OTR) on the UPSC portal is required.
• The application fee is generally ₹100 for general/OBC male candidates, while female candidates and SC/ST candidates are exempt.
• Applicants must upload photographs, signatures, and photo ID details as specified.
• A correction window is typically provided shortly after the last application date.

Aspirants are advised to prepare documents well in advance, including Class 10 certificate for DOB, Class 12 marksheet/admit card, and photo ID.

Exam Pattern and Selection Process

The selection process consists of two stages:

Stage 1 – Written Examination (Objective Type)

• Mathematics (Paper I): 300 marks, 2½ hours
• General Ability Test (GAT – Paper II): 600 marks, 2½ hours
• English: 200 marks
• General Knowledge: 400 marks

There is a negative marking of ⅓rd for incorrect answers. The exam is conducted offline (pen-and-paper) at various centres across India.

Stage 2 – SSB Interview
Successful candidates in the written examination are invited to the Services Selection Board interview, which spans approximately five days. This includes Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests, Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT), Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, Personal Interview, and a Conference.

The final merit list is based on the combined scores of the written exam and SSB interview, contingent on medical fitness and availability of vacancies.

Vacancies

The exact number of vacancies will be announced in December 2026. In recent cycles, such as NDA 2 2026, the provisional vacancies amounted to 394, including a limited number of seats for female candidates across services. These numbers vary based on training capacity and service needs.

What Aspirants Should Do Now (August 2026)

With the examination date set for 11 April 2027, serious candidates, particularly those in Class 11 or early Class 12, have ample time — a full eight months post-notification and nearly 20 months from now — for structured preparation.

Focus areas should include:

• Thoroughly covering Class 11–12 Mathematics syllabus (NCERT and previous years' papers).
• Strengthening English grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.
• Systematically studying General Knowledge (History, Geography, Polity, Current Affairs, Science, Defence-related topics).
• Beginning physical fitness training early (running, push-ups, sit-ups, etc.).
• Practicing past UPSC NDA papers under timed conditions.
• Enrolling in NDA online classes for comprehensive preparation.

It is crucial for candidates to regularly check the official UPSC website for the notification PDF and any updates to the calendar.

Official Sources

• The UPSC Annual Calendar 2027 can be accessed on upsc.gov.in under Examinations → Exam Calendar.
• All future updates, notifications, admit cards, and results will be posted exclusively on the official UPSC website.

Note: The dates and eligibility details provided are based on the official UPSC Calendar 2027 and the consistent pattern of recent notifications. Candidates must depend solely on the official NDA 1 2027 notification upon its release on 2 December 2026 for definitive information.

The examination remains a prestigious entry path into the Indian Armed Forces for aspiring candidates. Early, consistent preparation aligned with the established timeline will provide a significant advantage.