NDA 2027 Form Date, Photo Size & Signature (NDA 1 and 2)
NDA 1 2027 form 2–22 Dec 2026, exam 11 Apr 2027; NDA 2 form May 2027, exam 19 Sep 2027 per UPSC's calendar. Photo and signature rules.
These are based on the previous cycle and public reports. The official notification can change anything here.
Expected timeline
2 to 22 December 2026 (per UPSC calendar, may change)
NDA 1 2027 form
UPSC's 2027 calendar, as reported by several outlets, lists the notification on 2 December 2026 and the last date as 22 December 2026.
Sunday 11 April 2027 (per UPSC calendar)
NDA 1 2027 exam
Listed in UPSC's 2027 calendar.
12 May to 1 June 2027 (per UPSC calendar, may change)
NDA 2 2027 form
Listed in UPSC's 2027 calendar.
Sunday 19 September 2027 (per UPSC calendar)
NDA 2 2027 exam
Listed in UPSC's 2027 calendar.
Photo and signature spec
| File | Dimensions | File size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 350 × 350 px | 20–200 KB | JPG |
| Signature | 350 × 500 px | 20–100 KB | JPG |
Other documents: Based on UPSC's 2026 online application rules reported for Civil Services: photo JPG 20–200 KB on white, signature JPG 20–100 KB (three signatures one below the other), live photo matched at submission. Confirm in the NDA notice, as rules may differ by exam.
UPSC's calendar lists the NDA 1 2027 form from 2 to 22 December 2026, with the exam on 11 April 2027. NDA 2 2027 follows with a form from 12 May to 1 June 2027 and an exam on 19 September 2027. Prepare a white-background photo (20–200 KB), a signature image (20–100 KB), and expect a live photo check when you submit.
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy exam (NDA & NA) is UPSC's entry for Class 12 students into the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA and the Indian Naval Academy course. The written test is followed by an SSB interview and a medical exam.
What you need to upload
NDA uses UPSC's online application. The specs below are UPSC's 2026 rules as reported for the Civil Services exam. Treat them as a guide and read the NDA notice, because UPSC can set different rules for each exam.
| Item | Format | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | JPG | 20–200 KB | Plain white background, face at least 75%, both ears visible, not signed |
| Signature | JPG | 20–100 KB | Black ink on white paper; 2026 CSE rules asked for three signatures one below the other |
| Live photo | Captured in the form | — | Webcam or phone via QR code; must match the uploaded photo |
| Photo ID details | As per notice | — | Aadhaar, school ID or another ID listed in the notice |
| Class 10 certificate | Keep ready | — | Date of birth proof, checked later |
How to prepare each file
Photo. Take a recent colour photo against a plain white wall, with your face centred and no cap or dark glasses. Crop the image so your face fills most of the frame, then size it with the UPSC photo resizer.
Signature. Sign in black ink on unruled white paper. If the NDA notice asks for the three-signature format, sign three times, one below the other. Size it with the UPSC signature resizer, and use compress image to 100 KB if it is too large.
Live photo. Sit in good light, look straight at the camera and look like your uploaded photo.
Certificates. Class 10 and Class 12 certificates are checked at the SSB and joining stage. Keep PDF scans ready. If they are large, compress PDF to 500 KB makes them easy to upload or email.
Timeline notes
- NDA 1 2027: form 2–22 December 2026; exam 11 April 2027.
- NDA 2 2027: form 12 May – 1 June 2027; exam 19 September 2027.
- Results: usually a few weeks after each exam, followed by SSB interviews.
These dates are from UPSC's calendar as reported by coaching and news sites. UPSC notes that calendar dates can change, so the notice on upsc.gov.in is final.
Planning NDA 1 and NDA 2 together
Many students apply for both NDA 1 and NDA 2 in the same year. Keep the same photo, signature and ID details for both forms so your records stay consistent through the SSB stage.
Common reasons uploads get rejected
- A photo in school uniform or with a coloured background.
- A signature on ruled paper, in blue ink, or in the wrong format.
- A live photo that does not match the uploaded photo.
- Date of birth on the form not matching the Class 10 certificate. NDA age limits are strict, so this matters.
- Files just over the KB limit.
Apply only through the online application link on upsc.gov.in, and ignore any site that asks for a fee outside it.
Questions
When is the NDA 1 2027 form?
UPSC's 2027 calendar lists 2 December 2026 to 22 December 2026, with the exam on 11 April 2027. UPSC says calendar dates can change, so check the notice on upsc.gov.in.
When is NDA 2 2027?
Per the calendar, the form runs from 12 May to 1 June 2027 and the exam is on 19 September 2027.
What is the NDA photo size?
UPSC's 2026 online rules asked for a JPG photo of 20–200 KB with a plain white background and the face covering at least three-quarters of it, plus a live photo at submission. Check the NDA notice for any exam-specific rule.
Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes. Unmarried women candidates have been eligible for NDA since 2021. Check the notice for the vacancies and physical standards for each service.
Sources
- Official: upsc.gov.in
- shop.ssbcrack.com/blogs/blog/upsc-releases-full-schedule-for-nda-1-2027-key-date
- anantamias.com/nda-exam-date-2027/
- pw.live/news/upsc-exam-calendar-2027-pdf-released
- news.careers360.com/upsc-exam-calendar-2027-out-upsc-gov-in-cse-ifs-prelims-on-m
- visionias.in/blog/upsc-news/upsc-new-photo-signature-rules-2026-dos-and-donts