The wait is over for thousands of defence aspirants across India. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the final result of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026 on Thursday, 5 November 2026, and 617 candidates have made it to the final merit list. These young men and women will now join the 157th Course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla and the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC).
The result, published on the Commission’s official website upsc.gov.in, marks the end of a selection process that began with the written examination on 12 April 2026 and continued through months of Services Selection Board (SSB) interviews.
617 candidates recommended, including 66 women
Of the 617 candidates recommended for admission, 551 are male and 66 are female, according to the merit list released by the Commission. The list covers all three wings of the NDA, the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as the Indian Naval Academy. Candidates have been placed in order of merit, based on their combined performance in the written examination and the SSB interviews.
At the top of the list, Ishaan Pachauri has secured the first position among male candidates, while Shreya N Gowda has topped the merit list among female candidates.
What the merit list does, and does not, decide
It is important for candidates and their families to understand exactly what this result means. The UPSC has made it clear that the medical examination results have not been taken into account while preparing this merit list. So a candidate whose name appears on the list still has to clear the medical fitness standards before admission is confirmed.
Similarly, every candidature remains provisional. Admission is subject to verification of documents such as educational qualifications and date of birth, and to the fulfilment of all the eligibility conditions laid down in the examination notice.
- Total candidates recommended: 617 (551 male, 66 female)
- Courses: NDA 157th Course and INAC 119th Course
- Written examination: 12 April 2026
- Selection stages: Written exam followed by SSB interviews
- Medical results: Not considered in this merit list
- Marks: To be uploaded on upsc.gov.in 15 days after the result declaration
How to check the NDA NA 1 final result 2026
Candidates who appeared for the examination can check whether their roll number features in the merit list by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
- Look for the result link under the “What’s New” section on the homepage, or go to the Examination section and open the NDA and NA (I) 2026 final result link.
- Download the result PDF, which contains the merit list in order of merit.
- Search for your roll number in the PDF. The list also carries the names of the recommended candidates.
Candidates should note that individual marks will not be available immediately. According to the Commission, the marks of candidates will be uploaded to the official website 15 days after the declaration of the final result. The merit list itself, however, is available to download right away.
What happens next for the selected candidates
For the 617 recommended candidates, the next few weeks will be busy. Medical examinations, document verification and joining formalities will follow in quick succession, with the courses scheduled to commence from 1 January 2027. Those who clear the medicals will report to the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune, or to the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, depending on their service allocation.
The NDA course is a three-year joint training programme where cadets from the Army, Navy and Air Force train together before moving on to their respective service academies. It is one of the most respected routes into the officer cadre of the Indian Armed Forces, which is why the final result draws such close attention every year.
For those who did not make the list this time, the Commission’s calendar offers another chance. The NDA and NA (II) 2026 examination process is already under way, and the next cycle of applications will open as per the UPSC annual calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How many candidates qualified in the UPSC NDA NA 1 final result 2026?
A total of 617 candidates have been recommended for admission, including 551 male and 66 female candidates.
Who topped the NDA 1 2026 merit list?
Ishaan Pachauri secured the first position among male candidates, and Shreya N Gowda topped the list among female candidates.
Where can I download the NDA NA 1 2026 final merit list PDF?
The merit list PDF is available on the official UPSC website, upsc.gov.in, under the result link for the NDA and NA (I) Examination, 2026.
Have medical results been considered in the final merit list?
No. The UPSC has clarified that the results of the medical examination have not been considered while preparing the merit list. Medical fitness will be assessed separately.
When will the marks of NDA 1 2026 candidates be released?
The Commission has said the marks will be uploaded to upsc.gov.in 15 days after the declaration of the final result.
The 617 names on this list represent the newest batch of future officers of the Indian Armed Forces. For their families, and for the lakhs of aspirants watching from the sidelines, the message of this result is simple: the road to the academy is long, but it is open to anyone willing to walk it.
