The final merit list is out for one of the country's most watched defence examinations. The Union Public Service Commission has declared the UPSC NDA/NA (I) Final Result 2026 on 05-11-2026, recommending 617 candidates for the 157th course of the National Defence Academy and the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course. The list is drawn from the written examination held on 12-04-2026 and the Services Selection Board interviews that followed. If your roll number is on it, the next steps are medical fitness and document verification before the courses begin on 01-01-2027.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 394 |
| Candidates Recommended | 617 (551 male, 66 female) |
| Final Result Declared | 05-11-2026 |
| Courses | 157th NDA Course & 119th Indian Naval Academy Course |
| Course Commencement | 01-01-2027 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 10-12-2025 |
| Application Dates | 10-12-2025 to 30-12-2025 |
| Written Examination | 12-04-2026 |
| Written Result Declared | 08-05-2026 |
| SSB Interviews | After the written result |
| Final Result Declared | 05-11-2026 |
| Individual Marks Available | Around 20-11-2026 (15 days after the result) |
| Course Commencement | 01-01-2027 |
The 394 seats are spread across the three wings of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy. The merit list is longer than the seat count because joining also depends on the medical examination and each candidate's order of service preferences:
| Wing | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Army (NDA) | 208 |
| Navy (NDA) | 42 |
| Air Force (NDA) | 120 |
| Indian Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) | 24 |
| Total | 394 posts |
Only unmarried male and female candidates could apply. Army wing candidates needed a 12th pass from a recognised board; the Air Force and Naval Academy wings needed Physics and Mathematics in 10+2. Female candidates are eligible on the same terms as male candidates.
| Detail | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 16.5 years |
| Maximum Age | 19.5 years |
| Age Relaxation | No age relaxation is given for any category in NDA & NA examinations |
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹100 |
| SC / ST / Female | Nil |
| Sons of JCOs / NCOs / ORs | Nil |
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination twice a year to select cadets for the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla and for the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala under the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme.
| Link | Details |
|---|---|
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Final Result PDF (FR-NDANA-I-2026) | Available on upsc.gov.in under Final Results |
| Join Indian Army | joinindianarmy.nic.in |
| Join Indian Navy | joinindiannavy.gov.in |
The Union Public Service Commission declared the final result of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026 on 05-11-2026.
A total of 617 candidates — 551 male and 66 female — have been recommended in order of merit for the 157th NDA course and the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course.
There are 394 vacancies — Army 208, Navy 42, Air Force 120 and Indian Naval Academy 24.
Ishaan Pachauri topped the merit list among male candidates, and Shreya N Gowda topped among female candidates.
Individual marks of candidates will be available on the UPSC website after 15 days from the declaration of the final result, around 20-11-2026.
The last recommended candidate scored 577 out of 1,800 marks (male) and 649.18 out of 1,800 (female), on the basis of the written examination and SSB interview.
Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age. Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible.
On the official UPSC website upsc.gov.in, under What's New / Final Results — the link titled 'Final Result: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026'.