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Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (NDA‑NA‑I) Examination 2026, which is scheduled to be held on 12 April 2026. This admit card is mandatory for all candidates who have successfully submitted their application and will be used to appear in the written examination for 400+ expected vacancies in the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA for the 156th Course and the 118th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). The UPSC NDA 1 admit card download link will be activated on the official website as per the usual 10‑day‑before‑exam practice, likely around 2 April 2026.
UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026: Key highlights
- UPSC NDA 1 exam date is fixed as 12 April 2026 for the written test.
- The nda admit card download is expected to start from 2 April 2026 on upsc.gov.in.
- The admit card will be available only in online mode; no hard copy is sent by post.
- Candidates need to download the UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card link from the e‑Admit Card section of UPSC using registration number or roll number.
- The exam consists of two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (GAT, 600 marks), together making 900 marks for the written stage.
- Candidates must carry a printed NDA admit card along with a valid photo‑ID proof on the exam day.
- Separate NDA SSB Interview admit cards are issued after the written exam result, through service‑wise portals.
- The UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card page will contain vital details such as exam date, time, centre address, photograph, signature and instructions.
UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026: Main details at a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam conducted by | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (NDA‑NA‑I) Examination 2026 |
| Posts covered | Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA (156th course) + INAC (118th course) |
| Written exam date | 12 April 2026 |
| Expected NDA 1 admit card release date | Around 2 April 2026 |
| Mode of admit card | Online only; no postal dispatch |
| Official website | https://www.upsc.gov.in and https://upsconline.nic.in |
| Contents in admit card | Name, roll number, registration ID, exam date, timing, centre address, photo, signature, instructions |
UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card release date
UPSC generally issues the Upsc nda 1 2026 admit card date about 10 days prior to the written examination. For NDA‑NA‑I 2026, the exam is fixed on 12 April 2026, so the UPSC NDA 1 admit card release date is expected to be 2 April 2026. Candidates should keep checking the “e‑Admit Card” section on the UPSC home page or the direct link titled “e‑Admit Cards: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026” to download the Upsc nda 1 2026 admit card download link as soon as it becomes active.
UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card download link
The UPSC NDA 1 admit card download will be offered through the official UPSC portal and not via third‑party sites. The Upsc nda 1 2026 admit card download link will be activated under the e‑Admit Card banner on the UPSC homepage. Once live, the direct URL will look like a section‑specific UPSC link hosted on upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in, and candidates will reach it by clicking the “e‑Admit Cards: NDA‑NA‑I, 2026” notification or the corresponding direct button.
How to download UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 (step‑by‑step)
Candidates must follow these steps carefully to carry out the UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card download smoothly and avoid last‑minute issues.
- Visit the official UPSC website at https://upsconline.nic.in or https://www.upsc.gov.in.
- On the homepage, click the “e‑Admit Cards: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026” link placed under the “What’s New” or “e‑Admit Card” section.
- A new login‑type page will open; read the instructions for printing and downloading the NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 carefully.
- After reading the instructions, click the “Yes” or “Agree” button to proceed.
- Select one option from the given choices: “By Registration Number” or “By Roll Number”.
- Enter the registration number or roll number as per the option chosen, along with your date of birth and the captcha code displayed on screen.
- Click the “Submit” button; the system will then display the UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 on the screen.
- Check all details on the admit card such as name, roll number, exam date, centre, exam timing and reporting time.
- Download the admit card in PDF format and take at least two clear colour printouts to carry on the exam day.
- Keep the downloaded copy saved on your device or cloud storage for future reference or re‑printing if needed.
What details are printed on UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026?
The UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card contains the following critical information that every candidate must verify before the exam day.
- Candidate’s full name as registered.
- Roll number and registration ID generated after successful NDA application.
- Name and code of the exam centre including the full postal address.
- Exam date (12 April 2026) and exam timing with AM/PM session details.
- Reporting time and any special instructions for the particular session.
- Photograph and signature of the candidate that UPSC has on record.
- Instructions to candidates regarding prohibited items, required documents, and exam‑day conduct.
Documents required along with UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026
On the exam day, the UPSC NDA 1 admit card download is not sufficient by itself; candidates must carry supporting documents as well.
- A printed copy of the UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card (hall ticket).
- One valid photo‑identity proof such as:
- Aadhaar card
- Voter ID card
- PAN card
- Passport
- Driving licence
- School‑issued photo ID card
- Any other government‑issued photo ID card (central or state)
Note: The photo on the identity proof must match the photograph printed on the UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026; otherwise, the candidate may be denied entry into the exam hall.
NDA 1 exam pattern and syllabus (linked to admit card usage)
The UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card is specifically for the written examination consisting of two objective‑type papers.
NDA 1 written exam pattern (2026)
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper‑I | Mathematics | 2.5 hours | 300 |
| Paper‑II | General Ability Test (GAT) | 2.5 hours | 600 |
| Total | 5 hours | 900 |
NDA syllabus overview (for context)
- Mathematics syllabus includes Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential and Integral Calculus, Vector Algebra, Statistics and Probability.
- General Ability Test (GAT) syllabus covers English (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, correctness of sentences) and General Knowledge (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events).
Understanding the nda syllabus helps candidates align their preparation with the pattern printed against their exam‑day details on the UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026.
Exam centres for UPSC NDA 1 2026
While the exact centre is mentioned on the UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card, UPSC usually conducts NDA‑NA exams in major cities across India. Some common NDA exam centres for 2026‑cycle include:
- Agartala, Agra, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Aligarh, Almora (Uttarakhand), Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuttack, Dehradun, Delhi, Dispur, Faridabad, Gangtok, Gaya, Guwahati/Gorakhpur, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Noida, Pune, Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Visakhapatnam and many others.
Candidates must check the exam centre address and travel route once the UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card is downloaded to avoid confusion on the exam day.
Important dates for UPSC NDA 1 2026 (including admit card)
| Event | Expected Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| NDA 1 2026 Notification (already announced) | 10 December 2025 |
| NDA 1 2026 application period | 10–30 December 2025 |
| UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 release (tentative) | 2 April 2026 |
| UPSC NDA 1 2026 written exam date | 12 April 2026 |
| NDA 2 2026 notification | 20 May 2026 |
| NDA 2 2026 application window | 20 May 2026 – 9 June 2026 |
| NDA 2 2026 written exam | 13 September 2026 |
This table underlines that the UPSC NDA admit card release date falls roughly 10 days before the NDA 1 2026 exam date, which is consistent with past UPSC practice.
Exam day guidelines after UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 download
After completing the UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card download, candidates must follow standard exam‑day instructions.
- Reach the exam centre at least 60–65 minutes before the scheduled exam‑commencement time.
- Carry the printed NDA admit card along with a valid photo‑ID proof; no candidate will be allowed inside without these two documents.
- Do not carry mobile phones, calculators, smart watches, earphones, chits, or any other electronic or prohibited items into the examination hall.
- Bring at least one black gel or ballpoint pen for filling the OMR sheet and writing answers.
- Note the exam timing and session mentioned on the admit card and confirm that you are in the correct hall and shift.
NDA admit card stages: Written exam and SSB Interview
The UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 is for the written exam stage only.
- After the written exam result, qualified candidates receive communication for the SSB Interview stage.
- The NDA SSB Interview admit card is issued by the respective service authorities (Army, Navy and Air Force) through their official portals; candidates must log in to download it separately.
- The SSB Interview tests psychological aptitude, intelligence, personality and leadership qualities over a multi‑day process.
Thus, the UPSC NDA 1 admit card 2026 is the first of two key admit cards that candidates will deal with in the NDA selection cycle.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026
When will UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 be released?
UPSC usually releases the UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 about 10 days before the written exam. Since NDA‑NA‑I 2026 is scheduled on 12 April 2026, the admit card is expected to be available from 2 April 2026 on the official UPSC portal.
Where can I download the UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card?
The UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card download can be done only from the official UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in, under the “e‑Admit Cards: NDA‑NA‑I, 2026” section. No other site provides the official Upsc nda 1 2026 admit card link.
Is the admit card sent by post or email?
No; the UPSC NDA 1 2026 admit card is issued only in online mode. Candidates must download, print and carry the hall ticket; UPSC does not send a hard copy by post or email.
What if there is a mistake on my UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026?
If any detail such as name, date of birth, roll number or exam centre is incorrect on the admit card, candidates must immediately contact UPSC through the official grievance or contact options and follow the prescribed correction procedure. Do not ignore discrepancies, as they may cause issues at the exam centre or during later stages.
Do I need an admit card for the NDA SSB Interview as well?
Yes; after clearing the written exam, you must download a separate NDA SSB Interview admit card from the respective service‑wise portals (Army, Navy or Air Force). The UPSC NDA 1 Admit Card 2026 is valid only for the written