National Defence Academy: Difference between revisions

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m Mrskrishna moved page National Defence Academy Exam to National Defence Academy: Misspelled title
I have modified the NDA description to include more accurate and up to date info and verified all the links and sources
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{{Exam_Infobox
{{Exam_Infobox
|name = National Defence Academy Exam
|name = National Defence Academy Exam
|acronym = NDA
|acronym = NDA & NA
|domain = Military and Armed Forces
|domain = Military and Armed Forces
|level = undergraduate
|level = undergraduate
Line 7: Line 7:
|conducting_body = Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
|conducting_body = Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
|frequency = biannual
|frequency = biannual
|exam_mode = written, followed by interview (SSB)
|exam_mode = Written Exam:Offline(Pen and Paper) and SSB(Interview/ Personality Test)
|application_months = January, May
|application_months = December, May
|exam_months = April, September
|exam_months = April, September
|locations = National (multiple centres across major cities in India)
|locations = National (multiple centres across major cities in India)
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|official_website = [https://upsc.gov.in]
|official_website = [https://upsc.gov.in]
|last_verified = 2025-10-02
|last_verified = 2025-10-02
|verified_by = lalithaar
|verified_by = R. Thejhashree
}}
}}


The '''National Defence Academy Exam''' ('''NDA''') is a nationwide entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for selection into the National Defence Academy, the premier institution for training officers for the Indian Armed Forces.
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.
The exam is among the most prestigious defence entrance tests for 12th-passed students in India.


== Description ==
== 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. 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.
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 ==
== Fields and Specializations ==
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=== Detailed Eligibility ===
=== Detailed Eligibility ===
* Must be an unmarried male or female candidate
* 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)
* Indian citizen or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan (some additional nationality/eligibility for specific categories)
* Passed or appearing class 12 (10+2) examination
* Passed or appearing class 12 (10+2) examination
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* For Army wing: any stream at 10+2 acceptable
* For Army wing: any stream at 10+2 acceptable
* Candidates awaiting results are eligible
* 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
* Must meet physical/medical standards as per NDA requirements
* Relaxations for reserved categories as per UPSC norms
* 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 ==
== Important Dates ==
=== Application Timeline ===
=== Application Timeline ===
* '''Application Opens:''' January (for NDA-I), May (for NDA-II)
* '''Application Opens:''' December (for NDA-I), May (for NDA-II)
* '''Application Deadline:''' Usually 3-4 weeks after opening
* '''Application Deadline:''' Usually 3-4 weeks after opening


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== Verification Information ==
== Verification Information ==
* '''Last Verified:''' 2025-10-02 by [[User:Mrskrishna|lalithaar]]
* '''Last Verified:''' 2025-10-02 by [[User:Cheerfulblueberries|Cheerfulblueberries]]
* '''Status:''' active
* '''Status:''' active
* '''Source:''' UPSC official website, NDA brochure
* '''Source:''' UPSC official website, NDA brochure
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* [[Combined Defence Services Exam]] – Selection for entry to Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy after graduation
* [[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
* [[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.


== External Links ==
== External Links ==

Revision as of 16:59, 2 October 2025

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