National Defence Academy (NDA Exam)

The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year, for candidates seeking admission to the prestigious National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune. NDA is the premier institution for training young cadets for the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force). Below are the details about the NDA exam:

1. Eligibility Criteria

a. Nationality

• Indian citizens, or
• Subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, or
• Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of settling permanently in India, or
• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.

b. Age Limit

• Only candidates between the ages of 16.5 to 19.5 years are eligible to appear for the NDA exam. The candidate must not be born earlier than 2nd January 2006 and not later than 1st July 2007 for NDA I, and for NDA II, the candidate should be born between 2nd July 2006 and 1st January 2007.

c. Educational Qualifications

• Army Wing: The candidate must have passed 12th class (10+2) from a recognized board or its equivalent. No specific stream is required for the Army.
• Air Force and Navy Wings: Candidates must have passed 12th class (10+2) with Physics and Mathematics as subjects from a recognized board.

d. Gender

• Only male candidates can apply for NDA as of now. The NDA has not yet opened admissions to female candidates, though there are discussions about it in the future.

e. Marital Status

• Unmarried candidates only.

f. Physical Standards

• Candidates must meet the medical standards as specified by the NDA. They should have good physical and mental health with no significant medical or physical disabilities.

2. Exam Pattern

Written Examination

The NDA exam consists of two parts:

• Mathematics: (300 marks)
  • Time duration: 2.5 hours
  • Questions are of 12th standard level, focusing on topics like Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Geometry, and Statistics.
• General Ability Test (GAT): (600 marks)
  • Time duration: 2.5 hours
  • Divided into two sections:
    1. English: (200 marks) – Testing knowledge of English, including vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension.
    2. General Knowledge: (400 marks) – This includes topics like:
    • Physics
    • Chemistry
    • General Science
    • History
    • Geography
    • Current events (national and international)

Total Marks: 900

Interview (SSB Interview)

• After qualifying the written exam, shortlisted candidates are called for the SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview. This interview tests a candidate’s personality, intelligence, leadership qualities, and physical fitness.
• The interview is held over five days and includes activities like psychological tests, group discussions, physical tests, and personal interviews.

Final Selection

• The final selection is based on the written exam marks and SSB interview marks. The total marks combine the written exam and the SSB interview marks (900 + 900 = 1800 marks).

3. How to Apply for NDA

• Candidates can apply online through the official UPSC website (https://www.upsc.gov.in).
• Applications are generally invited twice a year: in January (for NDA I) and June (for NDA II).
• Application involves filling out personal details, education qualifications, and paying the application fee.

Application Fee:

• General and OBC candidates: Rs. 100/-
• SC/ST and Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs: No fee

4. NDA Exam Dates (General)

• NDA I is usually conducted in April.
• NDA II is usually conducted in September.

Candidates should check the official UPSC calendar for the exact dates.

5. Syllabus for NDA Exam

Mathematics

• Algebra
• Matrices and Determinants
• Trigonometry
• Analytical Geometry of two and three dimensions
• Differential Calculus
• Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
• Vector Algebra
• Statistics and Probability

General Ability Test (GAT)

• English: Vocabulary, grammar, sentence construction, and comprehension.
• General Knowledge:
  • Physics: Mechanics, work, energy, heat, and thermodynamics.
  • Chemistry: Elements, compounds, acids, bases, and metals.
  • General Science: Biology, human anatomy, and environment.
  • History: Modern, medieval, and ancient history of India and world.
  • Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography.
  • Current Events: National and international events, sports, awards, and important personalities.

6. NDA Academy and Training

After selection, cadets undergo training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune, for 3 years. Upon successful completion, they are sent to their respective service academies (Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy) for specialized training.

7. Salary and Benefits

• Candidates who pass the NDA exam and complete their training are commissioned into the Indian Armed Forces as officers.
• The pay scale for NDA cadets starts as a Lieutenant with a salary around Rs. 56,100 to Rs. 1,77,500 per month.
• They also enjoy various allowances, medical facilities, housing, and other perks.