• Only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than 01st January, 2007 and not later than 1st January, 2010 are eligible.
• The date of birth recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or equivalent will be accepted. No subsequent change will be considered.
• Candidates must undertake not to marry until they complete their full training.

• For Army Wing of National Defence Academy: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
• For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
• Candidates appearing in the 12th Class (10+2 pattern) or equivalent examination can also apply. Such candidates must submit proof of passing the 12th class or equivalent examination by 10th June, 2026.
• Candidates appearing in the 11th class exam are not eligible.

Note: Vacancies are provisional and may change. Selection for men and women categories is done separately based on notified vacancies.

• Candidates are required to apply online using the website: https://upsconline.nic.in.
• A new Online Application Portal is introduced with four modules: Account creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form, and Examination Specific module.
• All applicants must fill up the application and upload their documents in the newly introduced portal afresh. The old One Time Registration (OTR) module is no longer applicable.
• Candidates should have details of one photo ID (Aadhaar Card/ Voter Card/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Driving License/ School Photo ID/ Any other photo ID Card issued by State/Central Government). This ID will be used for all future references.
• Failure to provide required information/documents will lead to cancellation of candidature.
• Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission. No correction/alteration/modification in any field(s) of the application form is allowed after its submission and closure of the application window.
• Detailed instructions are available on the home page of the portal.

• Written Examination Subjects:

  Subject	Code	Duration	Maximum Marks
  Mathematics	01	2½ Hours	300
  General Ability Test	02	2½ Hours	600
  Total (Written)			900

• SSB Test/Interview: 900 Marks
• All papers will consist of Objective Type Questions only.
• Question Papers (Test Booklets) of Mathematics and Part “B” of General Ability Test will be set bilingually in Hindi as well as English.
• Penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers: One third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
• No calculator or mathematical/logarithmic table is permitted.
• Syllabus Details:
• PAPER-I: MATHEMATICS (Maximum Marks-300)
• PAPER-II: GENERAL ABILITY TEST (Maximum Marks—600)

• The SSB procedure consists of two stage selection process - Stage I and Stage II. Only those candidates who clear Stage I are permitted to appear for Stage II.
• Stage I: Comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Shortlisting is based on a combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT.
• Stage II: Comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days.
• Personality is assessed by Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO), and Psychologist. Marks are allotted holistically.
• Candidates for Army/Navy wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of Indian Naval Academy are assessed on Officer Potentiality.
• Candidates for Air Force also undergo Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). CPSS is given only once.
• Candidates who qualify Stage II are required to submit Original Matriculation pass certificate and Original 10+2 pass certificate.
• Candidates appear for SSB interview at their own risk.

Candidates must be physically and mentally fit according to the prescribed physical standards. It is advised to get medically examined before applying to avoid disappointment.

• General Medical Fitness: Must be in good physical and mental health, free from any disease/syndrome/disability likely to interfere with efficient performance of military duties in any terrain, climate, season, remote areas, or austere conditions.
• No evidence of weak constitution, imperfect development, congenital deformities/diseases/syndromes or malformation.
• No swelling/s, sinus/es, fistula/e, hyper/hypo pigmentation, hernia, significant disfigurement.
• No impairment of vision (including color perception), hearing, speech.
• No disease of nose, palate, tonsils, gums, heart, blood vessels, lungs, digestive system, endocrine system, genito-urinary system, or active/latent venereal disease.
• No history or evidence of mental disease, epilepsy, incontinence of urine or enuresis.
• No disease/deformity/syndrome of musculoskeletal system and joints.
• Psychological examinations are part of SSB; abnormal traits noticed during medical examination will lead to rejection.
• Common Medical Conditions Leading to Rejection:
• Musculo-skeletal deformities (e.g., scoliosis, knock knees, bow legs, amputated toes/fingers, shortened limbs).
• Vision and eye defects (Myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, squint, ptosis, corneal lesions, retinal lesions). LASIK/equivalent surgery is permitted for some entries after 20 years of age and 12 months post-op, but not for Pilot/Observer/Submarine/Diving/MARCO cadres. Radial keratotomy is permanently unfit.
• Hearing, ears, nose and throat issues (Sub-standard hearing, perforated eardrum, chronic otitis media, deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, stammering).
• Dental conditions (Less than 14 dental points, severe pyorrhea, significant jaw discrepancies, loose teeth, malocclusion affecting mastication).
• Chest deformities, significant gynaecomastia.
• Abdominal and genito-urinary system issues (Hernia, undescended testis, varicocele, organomegaly, renal/ureteric stones, cysts, piles, history of extensive abdominal surgery).
• Nervous system (Tremors, speech impediment, imbalance, history of fits/recurrent headache/migraine).
• Skin conditions (Vitiligo, haemangiomas, multiple warts/corns, psoriasis, chronic/recurrent skin infections, STIs).
• Any history suggestive of endocrine disorders (e.g., Diabetes Mellitus).
• Haemoglobin abnormalities (Polycythemia, Monocytosis, Eosinophilia, hereditary haemolytic anaemias).
• Height and Weight Standards:

Weight should be proportionate to height as per BMI. Minimum acceptable weight is specified; maximum acceptable weight is age-category dependent. Exceptions for bodybuilders/wrestlers require specific criteria (BMI < 25, Waist Hip ratio < 0.9 for male / 0.8 for female, Waist Circumference < 90 cm for male / 80 cm for female, normal biochemical parameters).

Minimum height for male candidates is 157 cm (152 cm for Gorkhas and candidates from North-Eastern regions/Garhwal/Kumaon). Minimum height for female candidates is 152 cm (147 cm for Gorkhas and candidates from North-Eastern regions/Garhwal/Kumaon). For Flying Branch, minimum height is 163 cm (male/female).

• Selected candidates for Army, Navy, and Air Force undergo preliminary training (academic and physical) for 3 years at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
• All cadets on passing out from NDA will be awarded degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi: B.Sc/B.Sc (Computer)/B.A for Army/Air Force, and B.Tech Degree for Naval Cadets.
• Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) cadets undergo 4 years B.Tech course at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, awarded by JNU.
• Post-NDA training: Army Cadets to Indian Military Academy (IMA), Naval Cadets to Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force cadets to Air Force Academy (AFA) or Air Force Technical College (AFTC).
• Promotional Avenues: Officers are promoted through various ranks (Lieutenant to General/Admiral/Air Chief Marshal) based on reckonable commissioned service and selection.
• Fixed Stipend for Cadet Training: ₹56,100/- p.m. (Starting pay in Level 10).
• Pay Scale for Officers: Ranges from Level 10 (Lieutenant) to Level 18 (COAS).
• Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 p.m. fixed for Lt to Brig.
• Various allowances (Field Area, Flying, Special Forces, Dress, Transport, Children Education, Hostel Subsidy) are admissible.
• Monetary benefits are available in case of disablement or death during training.
• Army Group Insurance Fund provides insurance cover for cadets.

• Candidates are required to apply online using the website: Click Here.
• A new Online Application Portal is introduced with four modules: Account creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form, and Examination Specific module.
• All applicants must fill up the application and upload their documents in the newly introduced portal afresh. The old One Time Registration (OTR) module is no longer applicable.
• Candidates should have details of one photo ID (Aadhaar Card/ Voter Card/ PAN Card/ Passport/ Driving License/ School Photo ID/ Any other photo ID Card issued by State/Central Government). This ID will be used for all future references.
• Failure to provide required information/documents will lead to cancellation of candidature.
• Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission. No correction/alteration/modification in any field(s) of the application form is allowed after its submission and closure of the application window.
• Detailed instructions are available on the home page of the portal.