The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the results for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I) 2026, commonly known as NDA 1 . This announcement is a key milestone for over 8,800 candidates who have been shortlisted for the next phase of the selection process.
Here is a detailed, original breakdown of the result, outlining the key highlights, crucial dates, and the essential steps you must take if your roll number is on the list.
NDA 1 Result 2026 Declared
The NDA 1 2026 result has been published as a PDF roll list on the official UPSC website. Here are the essential details you need to know:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NDA & NA Examination (I) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Date | 12 April 2026 |
| Result Declaration Date | 8 May 2026 |
| Total Candidates Qualified | 8,826 |
| Total Vacancies | 394 |
| Next Stage | SSB Interview |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
The timeline for the NDA 1 2026 recruitment process is crucial for candidates to track their progress and meet deadlines.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NDA 1 Written Exam | 12 April 2026 |
| NDA 1 Answer Key Release | 16 April 2026 |
| Answer Key Objection Window | 18–22 April 2026 |
| Result Declaration Date | 8 May 2026 (tentative) |
| SSB Registration Deadline | Within 2 weeks of result declaration |
How to Download Your NDA 1 Result
The result has been released as a PDF file containing the roll numbers of all successful candidates. Follow these clear steps to check if you have qualified:
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Visit the Official Website: Go to the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
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Find the “What’s New” Section: On the homepage, locate the “What’s New” section, which lists the latest announcements.
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Click on the Result Link: Look for and click on the link for “National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026 – Written Result”.
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Download the PDF: A PDF file will open in a new window. Save this file to your device for future reference.
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Search for Your Roll Number: Open the PDF and use the search function (
Ctrl + Fon Windows orCommand + Fon Mac) to locate your roll number. If your number is highlighted, you have cleared the written examination.
What After the Result? (Mandatory SSB Registration)
If your roll number is on the merit list, your journey for the year 2026 is just beginning. The next immediate and mandatory step is to register for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
You must complete your registration on the Indian Army’s official recruitment website within two weeks from the result declaration date. The commission has clearly warned that failing to register within this period could lead to the cancellation of your candidature. Here is how to proceed:
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Registration Portal: Visit joinindianarmy.nic.in to fill out the registration form.
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Center and Date Allotment: After registration, you will be assigned an SSB center (commonly located in cities like Allahabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Kapurthala) and an interview date. This information will be sent to your registered email ID.
Expected Cut-Off Marks
While the official cut-off marks for the written exam are typically released after the final selection process, experts have made predictions based on the exam’s difficulty level and historical trends for the NDA 1 2026 exam. Candidates should note that they also have to score a mandatory minimum of 25% marks in each subject (Mathematics and GAT) to qualify.
| Category | Expected Written Cut-Off (Out of 900) | Final Selection Target (Written + SSB) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 350 – 365 marks | 700+ marks |
| OBC | Not officially specified (follows General cut-off) | 700+ marks |
| SC | Lower than General cutoff (varies annually) | Varies annually |
| ST | Lower than General cutoff (varies annually) | Varies annually |
Vacancy Details
The NDA 1 2026 examination has been conducted to fill vacancies for the 157th course of the National Defence Academy and the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). The total number of seats is distributed across the different service academies as follows:
| Service/Position | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Indian Army | 208 |
| Indian Navy | 42 |
| Indian Air Force | 120 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 24 |
| Total | 394 |
Detailed Selection Process
The final selection for the NDA is a multi-stage process that tests not just your academic knowledge but also your personality and physical fitness. The 8,826 candidates who cleared the written exam will now face the SSB, which is a 5-day assessment.
Stage 1: Written Examination (Qualifying Stage)
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Objective: To filter candidates based on their academic knowledge in Mathematics and General Ability.
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Result: On 8 May 2026, 8,826 candidates were declared qualified for the next stage.
Stage 2: SSB Interview (Personality Assessment)
This is a crucial 5-day evaluation process that determines an officer-like personality. It is divided into two stages:
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Screening (Day 1): Candidates take an Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test followed by a Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PP&DT). Those who pass this initial screening go on to the next stage; others are sent back on the same day.
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Detailed Testing (Days 2–5): This stage consists of Psychological Tests (Thematic Apperception Test, Word Association Test, Situation Reaction Test, and Self-Description), Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, and a Personal Interview.
Stage 3: Medical Examination
Candidates who clear the SSB interview will undergo a thorough medical examination at a military hospital to ensure they meet the required physical and medical standards for a career in the armed forces.
Stage 4: Final Merit List
The final selection is based on the combined performance in the written examination and the SSB interview. Candidates are ranked based on their total marks to fill the 394 available vacancies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many candidates qualified for the SSB interview in NDA 1 2026?
A total of 8,826 candidates have been shortlisted for the SSB interview based on their performance in the written examination.
Q2. When was the NDA 1 2026 written exam conducted?
The NDA 1 2026 written examination was successfully conducted on 12 April 2026.
Q3. What is the significance of the NDA 1 2026 result PDF?
The result PDF contains the roll numbers of candidates who have successfully cleared the written examination and are eligible to appear for the SSB interview.
Q4. What is the typical duration of the SSB interview?
The SSB interview is a 5-day assessment process designed to evaluate the personality, intelligence, and leadership qualities of a candidate.
Q5. What is the minimum educational qualification required for the NDA exam?
Candidates applying for the Army wing of NDA must have passed Class 12 (10+2 pattern) from a recognized board. Those applying for the Air Force and Naval wings must have passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Q6. What are the age limits for the NDA 1 2026 exam?
A candidate must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age on the first day of the course commencement. For the NDA 1 2026, candidates born between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2010 were generally eligible.
Q7. What is the marking scheme for the NDA written exam?
The written examination is divided into two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (GAT, 600 marks). All questions are of objective type, and there is a penalty of 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question for every incorrect answer.
Q8. What happens after a candidate clears the SSB interview?
After clearing the SSB interview, candidates undergo a medical examination. The final merit list is then prepared based on the combined scores of the written exam and the SSB interview.
Disclaimer:
This information has been compiled from the official UPSC notification and various verified sources. Candidates are strongly advised to refer to the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) for the most current and authoritative information regarding the exam and recruitment process.
