The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will close the registration process for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I), 2025, December 31. Candidates who wish to join the elite armed forces are advised to submit their applications through the official UPSC website before 6 PM today. This is the last chance for those who are eligible to get themselves registered for the examination.

The NDA and NA exams are the most in-demand entry routes for the young to join the country’s defence forces. The registrations had already commenced, and UPSC has always advised applicants to closely follow the eligibility criteria before they submit their application forms. The examination, which will fill 406 positions, is a very crucial step in selecting the best of the lot for training at the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy. In addition, the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination (I), 2025, conducted concurrently, will fill another 457 positions, thereby highlighting the importance of these examinations in shaping the country’s defence forces.

Candidates between the ages of 16 and 19, who have completed or are currently appearing for their Class XII examinations, are eligible to apply for NDA (I), 2025. Those meeting this requirement must register on the UPSC’s One-Time Registration (OTR) platform, a streamlined process introduced to enhance user experience and ensure efficient data management. For those who are already registered, the procedure is simplified as they can directly proceed to complete the application form. They are required to provide accurate personal, educational, and other relevant details, upload necessary documents according to the provided guidelines, and pay the application fee through available online payment methods.

Candidates should, therefore, thoroughly verify the application information to avoid potential issues, since mistakes and irregularities are sources of complication. UPSC, however has a correction window as part of this application that candidates can take advantage of; such a window opens from January 1st and will run to January 7th, 2025. It is this correction window where the candidate shall be in a position to make changes needed for his applications to be perfect.

UPSC has clearly pointed out that the admission to any stage of examination will be strictly provisional subject to fulfilling all the eligibility conditions, only upon the receipt of their applications. Document verification will take place only at the time of the Interview or Personality Test after a candidate has qualified. It would ensure only the most eligible and deserving candidates moving through this process of tough selection.

The NDA and NA exams are a gateway to elite training programs that prepare candidates for leadership roles in the Indian Armed Forces. The training capabilities of the academies play a pivotal role in shaping future officers, and as such, the number of positions available is determined based on their capacity. While 406 vacancies have been advertised under NDA and NA (I), 2025 and 457 under CDS (I), they are all provisional numbers liable to change if institutional needs arise for such changes.

With the end nearing for this process of registration, UPSC urges all applicants eligible to now not miss the final opportunity that exists to register their applications. A timely, and error-free, completion of the application form is not a matter of mere process, but one critical first step to the aspirational goal of being able to serve the country. Applicants should also download the confirmation page from the website of UPSC. This will prove as evidence to have submitted it in time.

The NDA and NA (I) Examination, 2025, is a dream for thousands of young aspirants across the country. Closing the registration process marks the beginning of a grueling journey of preparation, testing, and selection. For those who complete their registration today, the path ahead will demand determination, discipline, and dedication, reflecting the core values of the armed forces they aspire to join.