National Defence Academy
| National Defence Academy Exam | |
|---|---|
| Acronym | NDA & NA |
| Domain | Military and Armed Forces |
| Level | undergraduate |
| Target Role | Admission to National Defence Academy (Army, Navy, Air Force) – leading to a BSc/B.Tech degree and officer training |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Frequency | biannual |
| Exam Mode | Written Exam:Offline(Pen and Paper) and SSB(Interview/ Personality Test) |
| Application Period | December, May |
| Exam Period | April, September |
| Locations | National (multiple centres across major cities in India) |
| Status |
active |
| Official Website | [[1] Visit Site] |
| Last Verified | 2025-10-02 by R. Thejhashree |
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy(NDA & NA) is a national level entrance test for class 12 qualified candidates who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces as Officers .
The exam is among the most prestigious defence entrance tests for 12th-passed students in India.
Description
The NDA exam is designed to select candidates for joint training at the National Defence Academy, which prepares cadets for commissioning into the Army, Navy, and Air Force after completion of a rigorous physical, academic, and leadership program.
The selection process has two main stages: a Written Exam ( covering Mathematics and General Ability Test) followed by five day Services Selection Board Interview (SSB). The five day SSB interview and subsequent training are commissioned directly as Junior Commissioned Officers.
Selection via the NDA exam leads to an undergraduate degree (BSc or B.Tech) awarded in partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, along with officer training.
Fields and Specializations
Main Fields
- Army (Infantry, Signals, Artillery, etc.)
- Navy (Executive, Technical branches)
- Air Force (Flying, Ground Duties)
Specializations Available
- Science Stream (BSc/Engineering)
- Humanities Stream (BA)
- Armed Forces Leadership and Management
Eligibility Requirements
Minimum Qualification
Passed Senior Secondary (Class 12) examination with Physics and Mathematics for Air Force/Navy; any stream for Army.
Age Limit
16.5 to 19.5 years
Detailed Eligibility
- Must be an unmarried male or female candidate and must remain unmarried until the completion of their training.
- Indian citizen or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan (some additional nationality/eligibility for specific categories)
- Passed or appearing class 12 (10+2) examination
- For Air Force and Naval wings: must have studied Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level
- For Army wing: any stream at 10+2 acceptable
- Candidates awaiting results are eligible
- Relaxations for reserved categories as per UPSC norms
- The candidate must fall within the specific birth date range published in the official UPSC website for each exam.
- No age relaxation is given to any category.
- Must meet physical/medical standards as per NDA requirements
- Candidates must meet the prescribed the minimum standard height/weight chart, which varies by age and service.
- For Airforce Flying branch, specific uncorrected and corrected vision standards are mandatory.
- Candidates undergo a thorough medical examination by a Medical Board.
Important Dates
Application Timeline
- Application Opens: December (for NDA-I), May (for NDA-II)
- Application Deadline: Usually 3-4 weeks after opening
Exam Schedule
- Exam Period: April (NDA-I) and September (NDA-II)
- Result Declaration: About 45–60 days post-exam
Notification Pattern
Official notifications are released on the UPSC website around 3 months before the application period for each exam cycle.
Exam Information
- Duration: 2.5 hours per paper (two papers)
- Question Types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Subjects: Mathematics, General Ability Test (English, General Knowledge – Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events)
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -1.33 for incorrect (Mathematics); sectionwise negative marking (GAT)
- Languages: English & Hindi
- Mode: Offline (pen and paper)
Syllabus Overview
Mathematics
- Algebra, Matrices, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Vector Algebra, Statistics & Probability
General Ability Test
- English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension
- General Knowledge: Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events
Science and Humanities
- Basic science concepts, world affairs, Indian polity, economics
Official Resources
- Official Website: UPSC Main Website
- Latest Notification: [2] (See NDA Notice for latest year)
- Application Portal: [3]
Verification Information
- Last Verified: 2025-10-02 by Cheerfulblueberries
- Status: active
- Source: UPSC official website, NDA brochure
Keywords and Search Terms
NDA entrance, Armed Forces admission, military exam India, UPSC NDA, Defence academy test, NDA recruitment
Related Exams
- Combined Defence Services Exam – Selection for entry to Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy after graduation
- Indian Naval Academy Entrance – Direct entry for B.Tech degree in Indian Navy post-class 12
- Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT): Conducted by the Indian Air Force to select graduates for officer roles in the flying and Ground Duty branches.
