If you are searching “how many seats are there in NDA for female 2026,” the following is the exact answer: Since the vacancy notice for NDA 2026 is not yet out, UPSC has yet to state the seats for females in 2026 NDA. However, According to the publication’s official seat matrix for the last two notices, NDA 2 2024 NDA 1 2025: it indicates that a total of around 27 seats for women across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy in each notice.
The final numbers for 2026 will be published just when the UPSC states them in a notice. For instance, the total number of seats in NDA 2 2024 was 404, including the female breakup; the total number of seats in the NDA I 2025 notification was 406, with a very similar female breakup as that of NDA 2 2024 therefore the preexpected total number and female breakup constitution can be explained using that reference.
NDA female seats (recent pattern & 2026 status)
| Wing / Academy | NDA 2 2024 – Female seats | NDA 1 2025 – Female seats | NDA 2026 – Female seats (status) |
| Army (NDA) | 10 | 10 | TBA (trend: ~10) |
| Navy (NDA) | 6 | 6 | TBA (trend: ~6) |
| Air Force (NDA) – Flying | 2 | 2 | TBA |
| Air Force (NDA) – Ground Duty (Tech) | 2 | 2 | TBA |
| Air Force (NDA) – Ground Duty (Non-Tech) | 2 | 2 | TBA |
| Total Air Force (NDA) | 6 | 6 | TBA (trend: ~6) |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) | 5 | 5 | TBA (trend: ~5) |
| Female seats – Grand Total | 27 | 27 | TBA (based on trend: ~25–30) |
Sources: Official UPSC notifications for NDA 2 2024 and NDA 1 2025.
**TBA = To Be Announced by UPSC in the NDA 2026 notification.
Why 2026 female seats are not fixed yet
The official notification for each exam cycle will declare vacancies, including female, by UPSC. Such as NDA 2 2024 and NDA 1 2025 noticed featured female seats branch-wise, and also stated that vacancies are provisional and maybe revised based on training capacity at NDA, INA. The same process will apply to 2026.
What recent UPSC notices show (so you can estimate 2026 smartly)
NDA 2 2024 (Total 404 seats)
| Army | 208 (10 For Women) |
| Navy | 42 (6 For Women) |
| Air Force | 92 (Flying 2 women) + 18 (GD Tech 2 women) + 10 (GD Non-Tech 2 women) ⇒ 6 for women in AF |
| Naval Academy (10+2) | 34 (5 for women) |
| Female Total | 27 |
NDA 1 2025 (Total 406 seats)
| Army | 208 (10 For Women) |
| Navy | 42 (6 For Women) |
| Air Force | same 2+2+2 = 6 for women |
| Naval Academy (10+2) | 36 (5 for women) |
| Female Total | 27 |
But since the female seat pattern has been stable in two consecutive notifications , most aspirants can expect a similar range for 2026. However, only the 2026 notices officially by UPSC will be final.
When will the NDA 2026 female seats be announced?
UPSC typically releases the NDA 1 notification around December about , and NDA 2 in May/June corresponding to May e.g., NDA 2 2025 announcement on 28 May 2025 . And for NDA 2026, you can expect similar timing Dec 2025 and May 2026, and that is when the exact female seat count.
Important points female aspirants should know
- Earmarked, not a separate quota : There are specific “Female seats” in each wing for which the UPSC notification earmarks some seats within the overall vacancy. There is no 50% women quota – in fact, the Supreme Court also mentioned it cannot order such a quota at this stage. Selection is based on merit, medical standards, and capacity.
- First women batches & steady intake : The first women entries have started in 2022 – official data shows 19 women each batch the earliest courses which are NDA-148, NDA-149, NDA-150. Since then, the seat breakup per notification has settled around ~27 total.
- NDA + NA : Vacancy numbers can vary slightly every cycle* Recent cycles see 404 or 406 total seats – there is a small fluctuation in training capacity in NDA, Khadakwasla, Pune and at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. The female distribution has stayed consistent. NDA 2026 exam dates Indicative Many institutes expect NDA 1 2026 around April 2026 and NDA 2 2026 around September 2026 – to be confirmed by UPSC. Planning your steps until the official calendar/notice is out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. How many will be the exact NDA female seats in 2026?
- Not announced yet. Based on the NDA 2 2024 and NDA 1 2025 notifications, expect seats around 27 (army 10, navy 6, air force 6 and INA 5). Final numbers will be in the UPSC NDA 2026 notices after release.
Q2. Do the female seats include the Naval Academy (10+2) also?
- Yes. UPSC shows NDA separately. Both lists include clearly mentioned female seats.
Q3. Is there women-only reservation in NDA?
- No separate women quota. UPSC earmarks a certain number of seats for women within each wing as part of the total vacancy. Courts have also clarified they cannot order a 50% women quota in NDA at this time.
Q4. What is the time when I should check the final 2026 female seat count?
- By checking UPSC NDA 1 2026 notification and the NDA 2 2026 notification. These documents will officially confirm the female seats. For reference, see how NDA 2 2024 and NDA 1 2025 notices listed the exact female breakup.
Bottom line (for 2026)
- Official female seats: Undecided
- Maybe range: ~27 women’s seats per notification on average from the past two official cycles.
- Once again to check: UPSC NDA 2026 notifications once published (December 2025 for NDA 1; mid-2026 for NDA 2). Possible reason for slight variation: the capacity of training infrastructure and preferred service-wise planning
