Defence Exams 2026-27 – Complete Guide by DigiDisha.com | NDA, CDS, AFCAT, Agniveer Dates, Eligibility & Courses
Last Updated: 7 October 2026 | Reviewed by: Team DigiDisha (Defence Mentors + Physical Trainers, Delhi-NCR)
Official Sources: upsc.gov.in (NDA/CDS) | afcat.cdac.in (AFCAT) | joinindianarmy.nic.in | joinindiannavy.gov.in | agnipathvayu.cdac.in
Short Answer (For Google / AI Search)
Defence Exams 2026-27 are recruitments for officer and soldier posts in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force – NDA (after 12th), CDS (after graduation), AFCAT (Air Force officer), and Agniveer (soldier entry, 10th/12th pass, age 17.5–21). NDA 2, CDS 2 and AFCAT 2 2026 written exams were held in Aug–Sept 2026; next cycle notifications (NDA 1 2027, CDS 1 2027, AFCAT 1 2027) are expected in Nov–Dec 2026, and Agniveer rallies run zone-wise round the year. Selection = Written + Physical/Medical + SSB (officer). DigiDisha.com provides affordable online written + physical-plan coaching in Hindi & English.
Overview: Defence Exams After 10th, 12th & Graduation – Honest Explanation
Let’s be honest. In UP, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan – the uniform is not just a job. Every morning, grounds in Ghaziabad, Meerut, Etawah, Rewari are full of boys and girls running at 5 AM for one dream: Bharat Mata ki uniform.
But defence preparation has two traps: (1) students who only run and fail the written, and (2) students who only study and fail the physical/medical. Selection needs both – Written + Physical + Medical, plus SSB interview for officer entries. And that is exactly what DigiDisha.com prepares you for – sahi disha for both ground and book.
There are two doors into the forces:
Door 1 – Officer Entry (Lieutenant and above):
- NDA – after 12th (age 16.5–19.5, boys + girls) – the most prestigious teenage entry
- CDS – after graduation – IMA, OTA (Chennai), Naval & Air Force Academy (OTA needs NO Maths – golden for Arts/Commerce students)
- AFCAT – Air Force officer – Flying Branch + Ground Duty, twice a year
Door 2 – Soldier Entry (Agniveer under Agnipath Scheme):
- Agniveer Army / Navy (SSR, MR) / Air Force (Vayu) – 10th/12th pass, age 17.5–21, 4-year service with ₹30,000–₹40,000/month salary + Seva Nidhi package (~₹11.71 lakh total including interest) + preference in CAPF/state police after service
Our Promise: No “bharti pakki for ₹2 lakh” fraud. No steroid advice for physical. No fake medical certificates. Real written coaching + real running/physical charts + honest medical guidance (height, weight, eyesight, flat foot, knock knee – checked in advance so you don’t waste a year). If defence is not for you medically, we’ll honestly guide you to SSC GD / UP Police instead.
Who Should Prepare for Defence Exams?
- Class 10th/12th-pass youth (17.5–21) targeting Agniveer – especially from rural/farmer families
- Class 11-12 students (PCM or any stream) dreaming of NDA – girls included (women allowed since 2022)
- Graduates wanting officer uniform via CDS/OTA/AFCAT – Arts/Commerce students welcome in OTA & Ground Duty
- Students already running daily who keep failing the written/maths paper – our speciality
Highlights Table: Defence Exams 2026-27 at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Bodies | UPSC (NDA, CDS) / Indian Air Force (AFCAT, Agniveer Vayu) / Army & Navy (Agniveer) |
| Official Websites | upsc.gov.in, afcat.cdac.in, joinindianarmy.nic.in, joinindiannavy.gov.in, agnipathvayu.cdac.in |
| Entries Covered | NDA, CDS (IMA/OTA/INA/AFA), AFCAT, Agniveer Army/Navy/Airforce |
| Qualification | 10th pass (Agniveer GD/MR) / 12th pass (NDA, Agniveer Tech/Vayu/SSR) / Graduate (CDS, AFCAT) |
| Age Limit | NDA 16.5–19.5 / CDS 19–25 (OTA up to 25) / AFCAT 20–24 (Flying) / Agniveer 17.5–21 |
| Application Mode | Online only on respective official portal |
| Application Fee | NDA/CDS ~₹100 (SC/ST/Women free) / AFCAT ~₹550 / Agniveer ~₹250 (+GST) approx. – check notification |
| Selection Process | Written (CBT/OMR) + Physical (PFT/Rally) + Medical + SSB Interview (officer only) |
| Salary | Agniveer ₹30,000–40,000/month + Seva Nidhi / Officer starts ~₹56,100 + MSP ₹15,500 + allowances |
| DigiDisha Mode | Online Live Written + Physical Training Plan + Medical-aware guidance + SSB basics |
Defence Exam Calendar – Current Status (7 Oct 2026) + What’s Next
| Exam | 2026 Status | Vacancies (2026 cycle) | What’s Next (2026-27) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA 2 2026 | Written held 13 Sept 2026, result ~Dec 2026 | 394 (370 male + 24 female) | NDA 1 2027 notification ~Dec 2026, exam ~April 2027 – START PREP NOW |
| CDS 2 2026 | Written held 13 Sept 2026, result ~Nov 2026 | 451 (IMA/INA/AFA/OTA) | CDS 1 2027 notification ~Dec 2026, exam ~April 2027 |
| AFCAT 2 2026 | Written held 8 Aug 2026, result ~Oct 2026 | 379 (Flying + Ground Duty) | AFCAT 1 2027 notification ~Nov–Dec 2026, exam ~Jan–Feb 2027 |
| Agniveer Vayu 02/2027 | Written held 22–23 Sept 2026 | As per IAF intake | Next intake notification ~Dec 2026–Jan 2027 |
| Agniveer Army | 2026 written June, rallies zone-wise ongoing | Zone-wise | Rallies running now – check joinindianarmy region-wise |
| Agniveer Navy SSR/MR | Rolling batches through 2026 | Batch-wise | Next batch notification expected late 2026 |
| INET (Navy Officer) | – | – | Notification likely Nov 2026 |
Golden Window Alert: Oct–Dec is the BEST time to join defence coaching. NDA/CDS/AFCAT next notifications come in Nov–Dec 2026 – students who start written + physical NOW top the merit. Those who wait for notification waste 2 months. Agniveer Army rallies are happening zone-wise RIGHT NOW – check your ARO region today.
Selection Process – How Defence Selection Actually Works (Step-by-Step)
Defence is not one exam – it’s a 4-gate race. Most students prepare for only 1-2 gates and fail. Here is the full truth:
Part A: Official Selection Stages (All Defence Entries)
Stage 1: Online Application (Written Entry Ticket)
Apply on the correct official portal in the window – UPSC (upsc.gov.in) for NDA/CDS, afcat.cdac.in for AFCAT, joinindianarmy.nic.in / joinindiannavy.gov.in / agnipathvayu.cdac.in for Agniveer. Keep Aadhaar, 10th/12th certificates, domicile, caste certificate, photo, signature ready. One form per person – double forms = rejection.
Stage 2: Written Exam – The Real Filter (60% Fail Here)
- NDA: Maths (300) + GAT – English, GK, Science, Reasoning (600) – negative marking
- CDS: English + GK + Maths (OTA: only English + GK, no Maths)
- AFCAT: Verbal, GK, Reasoning, Military Aptitude, Numerical (100 Qs, 3 marks each, -1 negative) + EKT for technical
- Agniveer: CEE – Maths, Reasoning, GK, Science, English (level: 10th/12th, bilingual Hindi-English)
Stage 3: Physical Fitness Test / Rally (Ground)
- Agniveer Army: 1.6 km run (5:30–5:45 Group I), pull-ups, 9-feet ditch, zig-zag balance
- Agniveer Vayu/Navy: 1.6 km run + push-ups/sit-ups/squats + adaptability tests
- NDA/CDS/AFCAT: No rally, but GTO tasks in SSB + strict medical fitness
- Start running + pull-up practice minimum 3 months before – crash training causes injury + medical failure
Stage 4: Medical Examination (Silent Rejection – 20% Fail)
Height-weight (male ~170cm Army / 162.5cm Navy / 152cm Air Force approx., category relaxations), eyesight (6/6 without glasses for Flying; limits for others), flat foot, knock knee, varicose veins, tattoos (only inner forearm permitted), ear wax, piles, BMI. Get a private pre-medical checkup with a defence-aware doctor BEFORE applying – we guide our students on the full checklist.
Stage 5: SSB / AFSB Interview (Officer Entries Only – 5 Days)
Screening (OIR + PPDT) → Psychology → GTO → Personal Interview → Conference. SSB tests personality, not bookish knowledge – needs 2-3 months of guided practice, not 5-day “package courses”.
Part B: How to Take Admission in DigiDisha Defence Courses (2 Minutes)
Step 1: Choose Your Entry Below – NDA / CDS / AFCAT / Agniveer Army / Navy / Air Force – as per age + qualification. Confused? WhatsApp your age + class + height – free entry-matching, no charge.
Step 2: Take 2-Day Free Demo – No payment first. Attend live Maths/Reasoning class + get free physical chart + attempt 1 mock.
Step 3: Enroll Online – Pay securely via UPI/Card on DigiDisha.com. Instant login + batch link + study material + physical plan within 1 hour, with GST receipt.
Step 4: Written + Ground Together – Morning self-ground routine with our chart + evening live classes + weekly mock + monthly mentor call + pre-medical checklist.
Trust Tip: Nobody can “fix” defence selection – no agent, no tout, no “source”. Anyone asking ₹50,000–₹5,00,000 for “bharti pakki / medical clear / rally setting” is a criminal – take his number and report to police + the recruiting office. Real selection = your written marks + your running + your medical fitness. That’s it.
Our Defence Courses at DigiDisha.com – Written + Physical, One Place
All courses include: Live classes + Recorded backup + Bilingual PDF notes + PYQ discussion + Weekly mocks + Physical training chart + Pre-medical checklist + Form-filling help.
1. NDA 1 2027 Target Batch – After 12th (Boys + Girls) – ADMISSION OPEN
Best for: Class 11-12 & 12th-pass students, age 16.5–19.5, any stream (PCM needed for Air Force/Navy wing)
Duration: 6 Months (Oct 2026 – April 2027 exam) + SSB basics free for written-qualified
Mode: Online Live Evening Batch (Hindi + English)
What you get:
- NDA Maths complete from Class 9 basics (most feared paper – our speciality) + GAT: English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Current Affairs
- 150+ topic tests + 30 full NDA-pattern mocks with negative-marking strategy
- SSB foundation: PPDT, OIR, psychology intro + spoken English confidence module
- Physical fitness chart (running, push-ups, stamina) + height-weight-eyesight pre-check guide
2. CDS / OTA 1 2027 Achiever Batch – After Graduation
Best for: Graduates 19–25; Arts/Commerce students target OTA (NO Maths paper – only English + GK)
Duration: 5 Months + SSB guidance
What you get:
- English (idioms, RC, grammar from zero) + GK/GS (defence-oriented current affairs) + Maths (IMA/INA/AFA only)
- OTA-special fast track: English + GK mastery in 4 months for working students
- SSB 5-day process explained + psychology/GTO/interview practice plan
- AFCAT-combined option: prepare CDS + AFCAT together (70% syllabus common)
3. AFCAT 1 2027 Warrior Batch – Air Force Officer
Best for: Graduates 20–24 (Flying) / 20–26 (Ground Duty); engineers for Technical + EKT
Duration: 4 Months crash + AFSB guidance
What you get:
- Verbal + Numerical + Reasoning + Military Aptitude + GK/Air Force knowledge + EKT (Mech/Elect/CS) for technical
- 100+ AFCAT mocks with speed strategy (100 Qs in 120 min – time management is everything)
- Flying-branch medical pre-check (eyesight 6/6, height, leg length) – honest early screening
4. Agniveer Army CEE + Rally Batch – 10th/12th Pass – ADMISSION OPEN
Best for: Age 17.5–21 – GD (10th), Technical/Clerk (12th), Tradesman (8th/10th)
Duration: 3 Months fast-track per rally cycle + running plan
Mode: Online Live Morning Batch (before school/ground time) + Recorded
What you get:
- CEE syllabus simplified: Maths, Reasoning, GK, Science in easy Hindi + English practice
- Rally-ready physical chart: 1.6 km from 8:00 → 5:30 min progressive plan, pull-ups 0 → 10 plan, ditch & balance technique videos
- Document file checklist: domicile, caste, character, unmarried, 10th certificate with DOB – rally gate document check guidance (many boys return from gate due to papers!)
- Bonus marks guide: NCC B/C certificate, ITI, sports – how to claim every extra mark honestly
5. Agniveer Navy (SSR/MR) + Air Force (Vayu) Batch
Best for: 12th Science (SSR/Vayu – 50%+ with Maths-Physics) / 10th pass (MR – Chef, Steward, Hygienist)
Duration: 3–4 Months + PFT plan
What you get:
- SSR/Vayu: Maths + Physics + English + Reasoning + GK at 12th level, bilingual
- MR: 10th-level Science + Maths + GK simplified
- PFT plan: 1.6 km + push-ups + sit-ups + squats charts + swimming basics guidance (Navy)
- Adaptability Test + medical pre-check (tattoos, ears, eyesight rules explained)
6. SSB / AFSB Interview Guidance + Physical-Only Plan
SSB Guidance: 5-day process decoded – Screening, Psychology (TAT/WAT/SRT), GTO tasks, Interview, Conference – with daily practice routine + current-affairs-for-SSB pack. For NDA/CDS/AFCAT written-qualified students.
Physical-Only Plan (₹499): 12-week running + strength charts for Agniveer/Police/SSC-GD – with diet chart for village/mess food + injury-prevention guide. Best for self-study students.
Fees Transparency: Batches kept affordable for soldier-family budgets – monthly plans + UPI EMI available. GST receipt for every payment. 7-day full refund if you don’t like classes – in writing. We never sell “guaranteed selection” – selection is earned on merit, we give the training.
Why Students Trust DigiDisha.com? (Our EEAT Story)
Defence is the most fraud-hit sector – fake rallies, touts, steroid sellers, fake NCC certificates. Your trust must be earned, not claimed.
1. Experience: Our mentors include defence-written specialists + physical trainers from Delhi-NCR/Meerut belt who have trained Agniveer/NDA aspirants in offline grounds before DigiDisha went online. 3,000+ students guided.
2. Expertise: Maths taught by NDA-pattern specialist, English from zero-level, GK with defence current affairs (exercises, missiles, chiefs, gallantry awards). Physical charts made with real PFT standards – progressive, injury-safe, no shortcuts.
3. Authoritativeness: Every date, vacancy count and eligibility rule linked to official notifications – UPSC, IAF, Army/Navy portals. Vacancy numbers and standards change every cycle – we mark the cycle clearly and tell you to verify.
4. Trustworthiness:
- No “guaranteed bharti” claim – merit + medical decide, not money
- No steroid/supplement selling, no fake certificate help – we actively warn against both (steroids fail medical + destroy health; fake papers = lifetime ban + FIR)
- Pre-medical honesty: if your eyesight/height/knock-knee blocks an entry, we tell you in week 1 and shift you to SSC GD / Police / other entries – not after 6 months of fees
- Real address (Ghaziabad, UP), phone, email, refund policy on Contact page
DigiDisha is a private coaching & guidance platform. We are NOT the Army/Navy/Air Force or government.
FAQs – Defence Exams 2026-27 (Direct Answers)
1. Which defence exam can I give after 10th pass?
Agniveer Army GD, Agniveer Navy MR (Chef/Steward/Hygienist) and Agniveer Tradesman – age 17.5–21. After 10th with Science you can also aim for Navy SSR/Air Force Vayu after completing 12th with Maths-Physics.
2. Which defence exam is best after 12th?
NDA is No.1 for officer dreams (16.5–19.5 yrs, boys + girls; PCM needed for Air Force/Navy wing). For early joining + earning, Agniveer Army/Navy/Airforce (12th pass, 17.5–21) is excellent. NDA 1 2027 notification expected ~Dec 2026.
3. Which defence exam after graduation?
CDS (IMA/OTA/Naval/Air Force) and AFCAT (Air Force officer) – both twice a year. OTA and AFCAT Ground Duty (Non-Tech) need NO Maths – perfect for Arts/Commerce graduates. Next notifications ~Nov–Dec 2026.
4. What is Agniveer salary in 2026?
₹30,000 (1st yr) → ₹33,000 → ₹36,500 → ₹40,000/month (4th yr), with part going to Seva Nidhi – total package ~₹11.71 lakh after 4 years + skill certificate + CAPF/state police reservation. Up to 25% can continue as permanent cadre on merit.
5. Is there pension in Agniveer?
No monthly pension after 4 years unless selected for permanent enrolment (up to 25% on merit). You get Seva Nidhi lump sum, insurance, allowances during service, and job reservations after. Anyone promising “Agniveer pension” is lying – know the truth before joining.