NDA Selection Process 2026: Check Written Exam and SSB Interview Details

NDA 2026 Selection Process comprises two major stages: a written examination followed by the SSB Interview. Candidates who qualify the written test are shortlisted for the SSB process, which includes personality assessment, physical tests, and a thorough medical examination. Only those who clear all stages successfully are considered for final selection into the National Defence Academy.

• NDA 2025 is a 900-mark test further divided into two sections - Mathematics and General Ability Test.
• The duration of the exam is 180 minutes comprising objective-type questions.
• It is advised to follow NDA study materials for concisely learning all important concepts.​

NDA 2026 SSB Interview

Candidates who will secure the cutoff marks of the written exam will be invited for the SSB interview round. Candidates in SSB Interview are assessed on Officers' Officers Potentiality.

• SSB Interview round comprises two separate tests – Psychological Aptitude Test and Intelligence Test.
• The qualifying candidates have to be put to the stage for tests on the first day of reporting at selection centres.
• Only those candidates who qualify at Stage 1 will be called for the remaining tests.

NDA 2026 SSB Interview Schedule

Here is a table on day-wise events of SSB Interview:

Note: Besides, candidates with the first choice for the Air Force, and all the SSB qualified candidates with the first choice as Air Force, should separately qualify the PABT (Pilot Aptitude Test) and Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS), if they fulfill the eligibility for Air Force.

NDA 2026 Final Selection

• To be accepted for Army/ Navy/ Naval Academy and Air Force under NDA recruitment, candidates need to secure NDA cutoff marks separately in the written exam and SSB Interview.
• For Air Force, candidates should separately qualify for the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).
• Final selection for respective academies will be done as per vacancies subjected to their NDA eligibility, medical fitness, and merit-cum-preference of candidates.

Required Documents for NDA 2026 Selection Process

All the documents should be carried in original as well as photostat copies. Failure to carry any of the necessary documents could lead to the disqualification of the candidate.

• Original 10+2 or Class 12th passing certificate or equivalent in support of educational qualification.
• Certificate of Eligibility for a certain category of students.
• Category or Cast certificate applicable to SC, ST, OBC, etc.
• Identity and Address Proof (Aadhar Card/ Voter ID/ Passport/ Nivaas Pramaan Patra)

What After NDA 2026 Final Selection?

After passing the training, NDA training begins on the very first day of the academic year. The selected candidates for the three services, viz, Army, Navy, and Air Force are given Preliminary training both academic and physical for a period of 3 years at the National Defence Academy which is an Inter-Service Institution.

Air Force Cadets are given flying training for 1½ years. However, at the end of one year of training, they are given provisional Commission in the rank of Flying Officer. After successful completion of further training of six months, they are granted permanent commissioned officers post.

During the training period, candidates will be initially paid a stipend of Rs. 56,100/- per month (at pay matrix of level 10). After the training, the candidate will be commissioned as a Lieutenant with a pay scale of Rs. 56,100/- to Rs. 1, 77, 500/- along with additional allowances.