If you have been searching “how to join NDA after 10th” or “NDA kaise bane”, here is the honest summary first. The National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune, trains cadets for the Army, Navy and Air Force. You enter it through a UPSC examination that you can take only once you are in Class 12 or have passed it. There is no direct entry after Class 10. What you can do after Class 10 is start preparing in the right stream, so that you are ready when the first chance arrives.
This guide explains both stages: what to do after Class 10, and the exact route after Class 12. Every exam fact below comes from the latest UPSC notice and calendar, and the links sit in the “Sources” sections.
The short answer
- After Class 10: you cannot apply to the NDA. The UPSC notice states that candidates appearing in the Class 11 examination are not eligible. Use these two years to choose a stream, build your Maths and English, and get physically fit.
- After Class 12 (or while in Class 12): you can apply. Candidates who are appearing in Class 12 can also apply, and must show proof of passing by the date given in the notice.
- Girls: unmarried women are eligible on the same terms, with separate vacancies. Read our guide on NDA for girls for the details.
What you can do after Class 10
The NDA examination needs a Class 12 pass, so your decision after Class 10 is about subject choice and where to study. Three points matter.
Choose your stream with the wing in mind. The Army wing of the NDA accepts any stream at Class 12. The Air Force and Naval wings, and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy, need Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at Class 12. If you are unsure which service you want, Science with Mathematics keeps every wing open.
Choose a school that supports your preparation. The Mathematics paper and the General Ability Test are based on school-level content, so a school with good Maths teaching helps. Some aspirants prefer a foundation programme that combines Class 11 and 12 schooling with NDA preparation. Our NDA foundation course is built on that idea, with schooling, hostel and mess in one place.
Start early habits. Daily newspaper reading, regular running and an English reading habit cost nothing and pay back later in the written exam and the SSB.
How to join the NDA after Class 12: step by step
- Check eligibility. You must be an unmarried male or female citizen of India (or one of the other categories the notice lists), within the age window, with the Class 12 qualification for the wing you want.
- Watch for the notification. UPSC holds two NDA and NA examinations a year. In its 2027 calendar, the first notification is dated 2 December 2026 with the last date to apply on 22 December 2026 and the examination on 11 April 2027. The second is dated 12 May 2027 with the examination on 19 September 2027. Dates can change, so follow the notice.
- Apply online. Apply at the UPSC online portal. The fee in the latest notice is ₹100, and SC and ST candidates, female candidates and the wards specified in the notice are exempt.
- Take the written examination. Mathematics carries 300 marks and the General Ability Test 600, each in a 2½ hour objective paper.
- Register for the SSB. Candidates who qualify the written exam must register on the Army recruiting website and are allotted a selection centre and date. The SSB carries 900 marks.
- Clear the medical examination. Candidates recommended by the SSB are examined by a Board of Service Medical Officers.
- Merit list and joining letter. Candidates are placed in a combined list by their written and SSB marks. The final allocation depends on merit, medical fitness, vacancies and your service preferences.
- Train. The NDA course lasts three years. Army cadets then go to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, naval cadets to the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala and Air Force cadets to the Air Force Academy at Hyderabad.
The age window
The notice gives a date-of-birth window, not an age range, because the age is counted from the start of the course. The two most recent notices are below.
| Examination | Born not earlier than | Born not later than | Course starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA and NA (I) 2026 | 1 July 2007 | 1 July 2010 | 1 January 2027 |
| NDA and NA (II) 2026 | 1 January 2008 | 1 January 2011 | 1 July 2027 |
Each window works out to roughly 16½ to 19½ years at the start of the course, and it moved forward by six months from one notice to the next. Future windows will be stated in the next notices, so check the one for the cycle you plan to take. You can enter your date of birth in our eligibility checker to see which routes are open.
Which wing can you choose?
| Wing or entry | Class 12 requirement in the notice |
|---|---|
| Army wing of the NDA | A Class 12 pass of the 10+2 pattern, any stream |
| Air Force wing of the NDA | A Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
| Naval wing of the NDA | A Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
| Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme | A Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
You list your service preferences in the application form, and you are considered only for the services you list. For the Air Force you must also qualify the Computerised Pilot Selection System for the flying branch, and a candidate who fails it can still be considered for ground duties if willing.
Cost, stipend and what the government pays
The UPSC notice states that the cost of training, including accommodation, books, uniforms, boarding and medical treatment, is borne by the government. Parents meet pocket and other private expenses, which the notice says are not likely to exceed ₹3,000 a month. The notice also lists a fixed stipend of ₹56,100 a month (the starting pay in Level 10) for cadets during training in the service academies, such as the IMA. A parent or guardian signs a bond before the cadet joins, so read Appendix IV of the notice before you apply.
Sources for the route, dates and age windows
Other doors if the NDA is not your route
The NDA is the main entry after Class 12, but it is not the only one.
- Earlier entry through military schools. The Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) admits students to Class 8 and describes itself as a feeder institution to the NDA. Sainik Schools admit students to Class 6 and Class 9 through the AISSEE. Read our guides on RIMC admission and Sainik School admission.
- After graduation. The Combined Defence Services examination and the AFCAT are the main officer entries. Our comparison of NDA, CDS and AFCAT will help you choose.
- Other entries after Class 12. The Indian Navy announces a separate 10+2 B.Tech Cadet Entry on its recruitment website. Check the official notice for age, marks and the selection route before you plan around them.
A two-year plan after Class 10
| Period | Focus |
|---|---|
| Class 11, first half | Strengthen Class 10 Maths. Start reading a newspaper daily and a few pages of English for pleasure. Begin running three days a week. |
| Class 11, second half | Cover the NDA Maths syllabus topic by topic alongside school work. Begin a General Knowledge notebook in Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography and current events. |
| Summer after Class 11 | Practise past UPSC papers by topic. Learn the SSB format and begin keeping a simple daily journal to build self-awareness. |
| Class 12, first half | Balance board exams with weekly timed mock tests. Get a medical check for common correctable issues. |
| Class 12, second half | Apply when the notice opens. Take full mock tests and start group-task practice for the SSB. |
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Questions parents ask us.
Can't find yours? Ask on WhatsApp; a counsellor usually replies within working hours.
Ask on WhatsAppCan I join the NDA after 10th?
Not directly. The NDA examination requires a Class 12 pass, and students appearing in Class 11 are not eligible. After Class 10 you can plan your stream and begin preparing.
Can I apply for the NDA while I am in Class 12?
Yes. Candidates appearing in Class 12 can apply, but they must submit proof of passing by the date in the notice. The notice states that no extension is given for late board results.
Is Science compulsory for the NDA?
Not for the Army wing, which accepts any stream. The Air Force and Naval wings and the Naval Academy 10+2 entry need Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Do girls get the same chance after Class 12?
Yes. The notice invites unmarried male and female candidates. Vacancies for women are notified separately, and merit lists for men and women are prepared separately.
How many times a year is the NDA exam held?
UPSC holds two NDA and NA examinations a year. The 2027 calendar lists one for April and one for September.
Do I need coaching to join the NDA?
It is not required, but structured guidance on the written exam and the SSB saves time for many candidates, especially those who study away from a defence-focused city.
Ready to plan your route? GS India Defence Academy runs classroom NDA coaching in Dehradun for Class 12 students and a residential NDA foundation course that combines Class 11 and 12 schooling with preparation. Call +91 70170 31757 or message us on WhatsApp for a counselling session.
