NDA Selection Process 2026: Written Exam (September 13), SSB, Medical & Merit List

The NDA Selection Process 2026 follows a step-by-step procedure: Written Examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination, Final Merit List, Service/Academy Allocation. Candidates first have to qualify the UPSC written examination to become eligible for the Services Selection Board (SSB) assessment. Those recommended by the SSB must then clear the specified medical standards before being considered for final selection. For NDA 2 2026, the written examination is scheduled to be conducted on September 13, 2026.

 

The NDA written examination carries 900 marks, comprising Mathematics and the General Ability Test, while the SSB Interview is also conducted for 900 marks. Thus, the final merit is prepared out of a total of 1,800 marks, based on candidates' performance in the written examination and SSB assessment, subject to fulfilling the required eligibility and medical standards. The medical examination is qualifying in nature. For candidates who qualify the NDA 2 written exam 2026, the SSB process is expected to take place around December 2026 to January 2027, as per the schedule issued by the Recruiting Directorate.

 

Table of Contents

1. NDA Selection Process 2026: Stages at a Glance
2. NDA Written Exam 2026
3. NDA Written Exam Result 2026: What Happens After the Exam?
4. NDA SSB Interview 2026
5. NDA SSB Stage 1
6. NDA SSB Stage 2
7. NDA CPSS 2026: Who Has to Take It?
8. NDA Medical Examination 2026
9. NDA Final Merit List 2026
10. How Is Final NDA Selection Decided?
11. NDA Selection Process 2026: Service Allocation
12. NDA Selection Process 2026: What Happens if You Clear the Written Exam?
13. NDA 2 2026 Selection Timeline
14. NDA Selection Process 2026: Written Exam vs SSB
15. NDA Selection Process 2026: What Can Disqualify a Candidate at a Later Stage?
16. NDA Selection Process 2026: What Should Candidates Focus on Now?
17. NDA Selection Process 2026 FAQs

 

NDA Selection Process 2026: Stages at a Glance

The NDA selection process has four main qualifying stages, namely, Written Examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination, and Final Merit, followed by service and academy allocation.

The process is sequential. A candidate does not move directly to SSB after submitting the application. The written examination is the first competitive stage, and only candidates meeting the prescribed written qualifying standard are called for the next stage.

 

NDA Written Exam 2026

The first competitive stage of the NDA selection process is the UPSC written examination. NDA 2 2026 will be conducted on September 13, 2026. The paper is conducted in offline mode and consists of two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).

The GAT carries twice as many marks as Mathematics, so candidates preparing for the written stage should not treat both papers as having equal weightage in terms of marks.

 

What is required to qualify the written exam?

UPSC fixes the minimum qualifying marks for the written examination. Candidates must meet the prescribed qualifying standard to be included in the list of candidates called for the SSB stage. The Commission has discretion in fixing the minimum qualifying marks.

 

Clearing the written cutoff, however, does not mean that the candidate has secured an NDA seat. It only makes the candidate eligible to proceed to the SSB selection stage.

 

NDA Written Exam Result 2026: What Happens After the Exam?

After the written examination, UPSC declares the result of candidates who qualify for the next stage.

 

Candidates shortlisted for SSB are required to follow the instructions issued by the respective Service Headquarters for their SSB centre and interview date. Candidates with Army as their first choice use the Army recruitment channel, while candidates opting for Navy/Naval Academy follow the Navy instructions. Candidates with Air Force as their first choice also have additional registration requirements for the relevant Air Force selection process.

 

For NDA 2 2026, the notification indicates that SSB interviews for written-qualified candidates are likely to be held in December 2026 and January 2027, subject to the schedule of the Recruiting Directorate.

 

Important for candidates after the written result

Once the written result is declared, candidates should not wait for the SSB date without checking the relevant service website.

The exact reporting date and centre are communicated through the applicable call-up instructions.

 

Do I need to pass both NDA papers?

 

Yes. Candidates must secure the prescribed minimum qualifying marks in both Mathematics and GAT to be considered for the next stage.

 

What happens if I score high overall but poorly in one paper?

 

A high overall score may not be sufficient if candidates fail to meet the minimum qualifying standard prescribed for either paper. Candidates should therefore aim to score above the minimum benchmark in both NDA papers as well as clear the overall cutoff.

 

What Happens After the Exam?

Once UPSC declares the result for the National Defence Academy exam 2026, candidates who qualify are shortlisted for the SSB Interview. They must then follow the registration and selection instructions issued by their respective Service Headquarters based on their first preference, Army, Navy/Naval Academy, or Air Force, to receive details regarding their SSB centre and interview schedule. For NDA 2 2026, the SSB interviews are expected to be conducted around December 2026 and January 2027, with the exact dates and schedule to be communicated separately to shortlisted candidates.

 

NDA SSB Interview 2026

The NDA SSB Interview 2026 is the second stage of the selection process and carries 900 marks, where candidates are assessed for their potential to become officers in the Armed Forces. The selection process broadly includes Stage I screening through OIR and PP&DT, followed by Stage II assessments such as Psychological Tests, GTO Tasks, Personal Interview and Conference.

 

Conducted over 5 days, the SSB evaluates candidates holistically for Officer Like Qualities (OLQs), including leadership, teamwork, communication, decision-making and psychological suitability, through assessments by the Interviewing Officer, GTO and Psychologist. Eligible Air Force candidates may also have to undergo the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS), where applicable.

 

NDA SSB Stage 1

The initial SSB screening includes:

Candidates who qualify the initial screening proceed to the subsequent SSB assessment.

 

NDA SSB Stage 2

The second stage involves a combination of psychological and group-based assessments.

The SSB stage is therefore substantially different from the UPSC written examination. A candidate who performs well academically but cannot demonstrate the required qualities during SSB cannot be selected solely on the basis of written marks.

 

NDA SSB Interview 2026: Day-Wise Schedule

The NDA SSB Interview 2026 follows a two-stage selection procedure conducted over approximately five days. Stage I consists of the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). While Stage II includes Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, the Personal Interview, and the Conference. The official SSB procedure for Stage II assessments can vary between candidates and SSB centres.

 

CPSS in NDA Selection Process: Who Needs to Take It?

The Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) is relevant to candidates opting for the Air Force Flying Branch.

 

According to the NDA notification, candidates who have opted for the Air Force and qualify the SSB may have to undergo CPSS if they are willing. Candidates are required to indicate their willingness before the medical examination.

A particularly important point is that clearing the written examination and SSB does not automatically guarantee Air Force Flying allocation. Candidates seeking the Flying Branch must also satisfy the applicable CPSS and medical requirements.

 

NDA Medical Examination 2026

Candidates recommended by the SSB have to undergo the NDA Medical Examination conducted by Armed Forces medical authorities to determine whether they meet the prescribed medical and physical standards for the respective service or entry. The assessment includes a general physical examination, evaluation of height and weight standards, medical tests and specialist examinations where required, following which a candidate is declared medically fit or unfit. Medical fitness is a qualifying requirement and does not carry marks or contribute to the 1,800-mark final merit score. Candidates declared medically unfit will be dealt with according to the review or appeal provisions applicable under the prescribed medical procedure.

 

The final merit process therefore cannot be understood as:

 

Written + SSB + Medical Marks

 

Instead, the relevant structure is:

 

Written Marks (900) + SSB Marks (900) = Merit Score of 1,800

 

Medical Fitness = Mandatory eligibility condition

 

The 2025 NDA 2 final result also illustrates this distinction: the PIB stated that the final merit list of 742 candidates was based on the written examination and subsequent SSB interviews, while medical examination results were not taken into account in preparing those lists.

 

NDA Final Merit List 2026

The final merit list is prepared after the written examination and SSB stages, subject to the candidate meeting the required medical and other eligibility conditions.

 

The two scored stages are:

A candidate's final position is therefore not determined by the written score alone.

 

For example, consider two candidates:

Even though Candidate B scores higher in the written examination, Candidate A has the higher combined score.

 

This is why clearing the written cutoff should be viewed as getting through the first gate, rather than as securing final selection.

 

Is there a separate cutoff for the NDA Written Exam and SSB?Yes. Candidates must clear the UPSC-written exam cutoff to qualify for the SSB Interview. UPSC also specifies minimum qualifying standards for the SSB stage, and candidates must meet the required standards in both stages to be considered for the final merit list.

 

How Is Final NDA Selection Decided?

Final selection is subject to:

1. Qualifying the written examination
2. Qualifying the SSB assessment
3. Obtaining the required combined merit position
4. Being medically fit
5. Meeting the eligibility requirements
6. Service/wing preference
7. Availability of vacancies

The notified vacancies are therefore important at the final allocation stage. NDA 2 2026 has 394 vacancies, including 370 NDA vacancies and 24 Naval Academy vacancies.

 

A candidate may have a qualifying score but still not receive a particular service if their final merit position, preference and available vacancies do not support that allocation.

 

NDA Selection Process 2026: Service Allocation

Service allocation is not based simply on the candidate's written marks.

 

The relevant factors include the candidate's merit position, service preferences, eligibility, medical fitness and vacancies.

 

For NDA 2 2026, the notified vacancy position is:

Therefore, a candidate targeting Air Force Flying should not interpret all 394 vacancies as available for that particular entry. The relevant notified intake is 92 Flying vacancies.

 

NDA Selection Process 2026: What Happens if You Clear the Written Exam?

This is the most important transition in the NDA selection process.

 

Step 1: Check the written result

Candidates need to verify whether their roll number appears in the list of candidates shortlisted for SSB.

 

Step 2: Check SSB instructions

The shortlisted candidates need to follow the instructions issued by the relevant Service Headquarters for their SSB centre and date.

 

Step 3: Report for SSB

The candidate reports to the allotted selection centre on the specified date.

 

Step 4: Complete SSB assessment

The candidate undergoes screening, psychological testing, GTO tasks, interview and conference as applicable.

 

Step 5: Medical examination

Candidates recommended by SSB undergo the prescribed medical examination.

 

Step 6: Final merit

UPSC prepares the final result based on the written and SSB performance, subject to the applicable conditions.

 

Step 7: Allocation and joining

Candidates included in the final selection are considered for admission to the applicable academy/course based on merit, preference, eligibility and available vacancies.

 

NDA 2 2026 Selection Timeline

For candidates appearing in the current examination cycle, the key dates are:

The written examination date and notification dates are listed by UPSC, while the NDA 2 2026 notification indicates that SSB interviews for written-qualified candidates are likely during December 2026 to January 2027, subject to the Recruiting Directorate's schedule.

 

NDA Selection Process 2026: Written Exam vs SSB

Candidates often prepare for the NDA selection process as though the written exam is the complete examination. It is not.

This difference should also influence preparation. A candidate preparing only for the written paper until the result is declared may have limited time to understand the SSB process after being shortlisted.

 

NDA Selection Process 2026: What Can Disqualify a Candidate at a Later Stage?

Clearing one stage does not remove the requirements of subsequent stages.

 

A candidate can fail to secure final selection because of:

• Not meeting the written qualifying standard
• Not being recommended by the SSB
• Failing to meet the required medical standards
• Not meeting the eligibility requirements
• Not qualifying the applicable CPSS requirement for Air Force Flying
• Not securing a sufficiently high final merit position
• Limited vacancies in the preferred entry
• Service preference and allocation constraints

The NDA notification also contains provisions concerning candidates who have previously been withdrawn or resigned from certain training establishments on disciplinary grounds. Candidates should therefore read the applicable eligibility and disqualification provisions rather than relying only on their written score.

 

NDA Selection Process 2026: What Should Candidates Focus on Now?

For NDA 2 2026, the written examination is scheduled for September 13, 2026. At this stage, the immediate objective is to qualify the written examination, but candidates should already understand what follows it.

 

A practical priority is:

 

Written Exam → Written Cutoff → SSB Preparation → SSB → Medical → Final Merit

 

The biggest mistake is treating the written cutoff as the final target. The written exam is the gateway to SSB; the final selection is based on performance across the scored stages and the applicable eligibility, medical and vacancy conditions.

 

NDA Selection Process 2026 FAQs

What is the NDA Selection Process 2026?

The NDA Selection Process 2026 consists of the UPSC Written Examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination and Final Merit/Service Allocation. The written exam and SSB carry 900 marks each, making the total merit score 1,800 marks.

How many stages are there in NDA selection?

The selection can be understood in four major stages: Written Examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination and Final Merit/Allocation. Air Force Flying candidates may additionally have to qualify the applicable CPSS requirement.

What happens after clearing the NDA written exam?

Candidates who obtain the prescribed qualifying marks are shortlisted for the SSB Interview. They must then follow the instructions of the relevant Service Headquarters regarding their SSB centre and interview date.

How many marks are considered for final NDA merit?

The written examination carries 900 marks and the SSB Interview carries 900 marks. Therefore, the combined merit score is 1,800 marks. Medical examination is a qualifying requirement and its marks are not added to this total.

Is medical examination included in NDA final marks?

No. Medical fitness is mandatory for final selection, but medical examination marks are not added to the 1,800 marks obtained from the written examination and SSB.

What is the NDA SSB Interview?

The SSB Interview is a multi-stage assessment conducted by the Services Selection Board. It includes intelligence/personality assessment and, depending on the stage, psychological tests, GTO tasks, personal interview and conference. The SSB carries 900 marks.

What are the stages of the NDA SSB?

The SSB assessment broadly includes OIR and PP&DT screening, followed by psychological tests, GTO tasks, personal interview and conference for candidates progressing to the subsequent stage.

Is the NDA SSB harder than the written exam?

The two stages test different abilities. The written exam primarily evaluates academic and general-knowledge preparation through Mathematics and GAT, whereas SSB assesses intelligence, personality and suitability through multiple assessments. Therefore, candidates should prepare for SSB separately rather than treating it as another written examination.

Is CPSS compulsory for all NDA candidates?

No. CPSS is relevant to candidates seeking the Air Force Flying Branch and is conducted as applicable after SSB. Candidates opting for Air Force may have to undergo CPSS if they qualify the SSB and are willing to be tested.

What happens if I fail CPSS?

A candidate who fails CPSS cannot be considered for Air Force Flying. As specified in the NDA notification, such a candidate may be considered for Air Force Ground Duties if eligible and willing.

When will NDA 2 2026 SSB be conducted?

The NDA 2 2026 notification states that SSB interviews for candidates who qualify the written examination are likely to be held during December 2026 to January 2027, or as scheduled by the Recruiting Directorate.

When is the NDA 2 2026 written exam?

The NDA 2 2026 written examination is scheduled for September 13, 2026. UPSC released the notification on May 20, 2026.

What is the total marks of NDA selection?

The written examination is worth 900 marks and the SSB Interview is worth 900 marks, giving a combined total of 1,800 marks for the scored stages of selection.

Does clearing the NDA written cutoff guarantee selection?

No. Clearing the written cutoff only makes a candidate eligible for the SSB stage. Final selection additionally depends on SSB performance, medical fitness, final merit, eligibility, service preference and available vacancies.

How are candidates allocated to Army, Navy and Air Force?

Service allocation depends on factors including merit, service preference, eligibility, medical fitness and available vacancies. Therefore, a candidate's written score alone does not guarantee allocation to a particular service.

How many vacancies are available in NDA 2 2026?

NDA 2 2026 has 394 notified vacancies: 370 for the National Defence Academy and 24 for the Naval Academy. The vacancy breakup includes Army, Navy, Air Force and Naval Academy entries.