NDA / NA
National Defence Academy / Naval Academy

What is NDA?

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is India's prestigious joint-services academy that trains young men and women to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Located in Khadakwasla, Pune, it is the world's first tri-service academy, offering a unique blend of academic education, physical training, and leadership development.

• Established : 1954
• Motto : Service Before Self
• Key Features :
  • World-class training facilities, including sports complexes, labs, and the largest canteen globally.
  • Graduates serve as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
  • Recognized by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for degrees.

Why Choose NDA?

• Elite Training : Develops discipline, leadership, and physical fitness.
• Career Opportunities : Direct entry as officers in Army, Navy, or Air Force.
• Academic Excellence : Offers BA, BSc, and BTech degrees.
• Notable Alumni : Includes 3 Param Vir Chakra and 11 Ashoka Chakra recipients.

NDA Eligibility Criteria

To apply for NDA, candidates must meet the following requirements :

• Nationality :
  • Indian citizens, or subjects of Bhutan/Nepal, or Tibetan refugees settled in India before January 1, 1962, or persons of Indian origin from specified countries with permanent settlement intent.
• Age Limit :
  • 16.5 to 19.5 years
• Educational Qualification :
  • Army Wing :
    • Requirement : Passed or appearing in Class 12 (any stream : Science, Commerce, or Humanities).
    • What it is : The Army Wing trains cadets for leadership roles in the Indian Army, focusing on ground-based military operations, strategy, and combat readiness.
    • Activities Involved :
      • Training in infantry tactics, weapon handling (rifles, grenades, mortars), and field exercises.
      • Leadership development through drills, war games, and command tasks.
      • Academic studies in humanities or sciences (BA/BSc degrees).
      • Physical fitness regimes, including obstacle courses, cross-country running, and team sports.
    • Positions (Min to Max) :
      • Minimum : Lieutenant (entry-level officer rank after training at Indian Military Academy, IMA).
      • Maximum : General (highest peacetime rank, e.g., Chief of Army Staff) or Lieutenant General, Major General, etc., based on career progression, merit, and seniority.
  • Air Force Wing :
    • Requirement : Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
    • What it is : The Air Force Wing prepares cadets for roles as pilots, navigators, or technical officers in the Indian Air Force, focusing on aviation, air combat, and aerospace technology.
    • Activities Involved :
      • Flight training (simulators and aircraft like MiG, Sukhoi, or Tejas after NDA).
      • Technical education in aerodynamics, avionics, and aircraft maintenance.
      • Academic studies in science or engineering (BSc/BTech degrees).
      • Physical and mental conditioning for high-altitude operations and G-force endurance.
    • Positions (Min to Max) :
      • Minimum : Flying Officer (entry-level officer rank after training at Air Force Academy, AFA).
      • Maximum : Air Chief Marshal (highest peacetime rank, e.g., Chief of Air Staff) or Air Marshal, Air Vice Marshal, etc., based on career progression.
  • Navy Wing :
    • Requirement : Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
    • What it is : The Navy Wing trains cadets for roles as naval officers, managing warships, submarines, or naval aviation, with a focus on maritime operations and strategy. This includes cadets selected for the Naval Academy (NA) entry, a distinct stream within the NDA exam for specialized naval training leading to a BTech degree.
    • Activities Involved :
      • Training in navigation, seamanship, and maritime warfare (torpedoes, missiles).
      • Technical education in marine engineering, electronics, or weapon systems.
      • Academic studies in science or engineering (BSc/BTech degrees).
      • Swimming, diving, and endurance training for sea-based operations.
    • Positions (Min to Max) :
      • Minimum : Sub-Lieutenant (entry-level officer rank after training at Indian Naval Academy, INA, for NA cadets or other naval roles).
      • Maximum : Admiral (highest peacetime rank, e.g., Chief of Naval Staff) or Vice Admiral, Rear Admiral, etc., based on career progression.
    • Note on Naval Academy (NA) : The NA entry is part of the NDA exam but targets candidates specifically for the Indian Navy with a focus on technical roles. After three years at NDA, NA cadets undergo an additional year at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, for specialized training and a BTech degree.
• Marital Status : Unmarried (male and female candidates).
• Physical Standards :
  • Minimum height : 157 cm (162.5 cm for Air Force).
  • Well-developed chest (minimum expansion : 81 cm).
  • Good physical and mental health, free from disabilities affecting military duties.
• Other :
  • Must not have resigned from prior training on disciplinary grounds or failed PABT/CPSS tests.

Note : Female candidates have been eligible since 2021, following a Supreme Court ruling.

NDA Admission Process

The admission to NDA is a rigorous two-step process conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) :

Step 1 : NDA Written Exam

• Conducted : Twice a year (NDA I : April, NDA II : September).
• Registration : Apply online at upsc.gov.in (December for NDA I, May for NDA II).
• Papers :
  • Mathematics (300 marks) :
    • Topics : Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Geometry, Statistics.
    • Structure : 120 questions, 2.5 marks each, -0.83 for wrong answers.
    • Duration : 2.5 hours.
  • General Ability Test (GAT) (600 marks) :
    • Sections : English (200 marks), General Knowledge (400 marks : Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Current Events).
    • Structure : 150 questions, 4 marks each, -1.33 for wrong answers.
    • Duration : 2.5 hours.
• Total Marks : 900.
• Mode : Pen-and-paper.
• Languages : English and Hindi.

Step 2 : SSB Interview

• Duration : 5 days.
• Conducted By : Services Selection Board (SSB).
• Stages :
  • Stage 1 :
    • Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests.
    • Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT).
  • Stage 2 (for Stage 1 qualifiers) :
    • Psychological Tests : Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT).
    • Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks : Group discussions, obstacle courses, command tasks.
    • Personal Interview.
• Total Marks : 900.
• Focus : Assesses aptitude, personality, leadership, and suitability for defence services.

Step 3 : Final Selection

• Merit List : Based on written exam + SSB interview scores.
• Medical Examination : Mandatory to ensure physical and mental fitness.
• Training :
  • 3 years at NDA (academic + military training).
  • 1 additional year at respective academies (IMA for Army, Naval Academy for Navy, Air Force Academy for Air Force).

Note : About 4,00,000 candidates apply annually, but only 300-350 are selected.

Courses Offered at NDA

NDA offers a full-time, residential undergraduate program with degrees awarded by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) :

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) :
  • Stream : Humanities/Liberal Arts.
  • Subjects : History, Economics, Political Science, Geography, English, Foreign Languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian).
  • Duration : 3 years.
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) :
  • Stream : Science.
  • Subjects : Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science.
  • Duration : 3 years.
• Bachelor of Technology (BTech) :
  • For Navy (including NA cadets) and Air Force cadets.
  • Specializations : Applied Electronics, Mechanical Engineering (discontinued in some batches).
  • Duration : 3 years at NDA + 1 year at Indian Naval Academy (Navy/NA) or Air Force Academy (Air Force).

Additional Training :

• Compulsory military training, physical fitness, and leadership development.
• Sports and extracurricular activities to build teamwork and resilience.

NDA Exam Key Highlights

Career Path After NDA

• Training Completion :
  • Cadets graduate as commissioned officers (Lieutenant or equivalent).
  • Starting salary : ~₹56,100 (Level 10, 7th Pay Commission) during training.
• Postings :
  • Army : Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, for 1 year of training.
  • Navy : Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, for 1 year of training for Navy Wing cadets, including those selected for Naval Academy (NA) entry, who focus on technical roles and BTech completion.
  • Air Force : Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad, for 1 year of training.
• Opportunities :
  • Serve in elite units, lead troops, or specialize in technical roles.
  • Higher education and promotions (e.g., Major, Colonel, General).
  • Global exposure through UN missions or joint exercises.

Tips for NDA Aspirants

• Preparation :
  • Focus on NCERT books for Maths, Science, and Social Studies (Class 10-12 level).
  • Practice previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
  • Improve English through reading newspapers and vocabulary exercises.
• Physical Fitness :
  • Regular exercise (running, push-ups, sit-ups) to meet physical standards.
  • Practice for obstacle courses and group tasks.
• SSB Interview :
  • Develop confidence, clarity in communication, and leadership qualities.
  • Stay honest and positive during psychological tests and interviews.
• Resources :
  • Official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) for notifications and syllabus.
  • Coaching institutes like Vishwabharati Defence Academy or online platforms for guidance.