NDA Entry in Indian Army, Air Force & Navy

NDA (The National Defence Academy) entry is available for aspirant who want to join the Armed Forces after successful completion of 10+2. The NDA is a tri-service academy that trains cadets for the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force before they proceed to their respective service academies.

What is NDA entry?

NDA stands for the National Defence Academy – the tri-service academy at Khadakwasla, Pune. NDA entry is the route through which candidates who have completed 10+2 join the Indian Army, Navy or Air Force as officer cadets, via the UPSC NDA & NA examination. Students who have passed Class 12, or who are appearing for their Class 12 examination, are eligible to apply. Cadets from all three wings train together at Khadakwasla before moving to their respective service academies for pre-commission training.

The examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year – NDA 1 in the first half of the year and NDA 2 in the second. Selection involves two written papers, a five-day SSB interview and a medical examination. This page explains each stage in detail: eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, selection process, cut-off, training and salary.

NDA eligibility criteria

NDA eligibility is prescribed by UPSC and covers nationality, age, marital status, education and physical standards. Candidates must satisfy every criterion at the time of application.

Nationality

NDA eligibility is prescribed by UPSC and covers nationality, age, marital status, education and physical standards. Candidates must satisfy every criterion at the time of application.

Age

Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age as on the reference date specified in the notification. Each cycle prescribes an exact date-of-birth range.

Marital status

Only unmarried candidates are eligible, and candidates must remain unmarried until the completion of training. Both men and women are eligible; women have been admitted to all three wings since 2021.

Education

Army wing: a Class 12 pass in any stream from a recognised board. Navy and Air Force wings (and the 10+2 Naval Academy course): Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics. No minimum aggregate percentage is prescribed.

Fitness

Candidates must meet the physical and medical standards prescribed for the chosen service, including height, weight and vision requirements. These are assessed by a medical board after the SSB interview.

Disclaimer: The eligibility conditions above are indicative. Candidates must verify the exact eligibility criteria, age limits and date-of-birth range in the latest official NDA notification published by UPSC at upsc.gov.in before applying.

NDA exam pattern

The NDA written examination consists of two objective-type papers, both conducted on the same day. Together, they carry a total of 900 marks, and negative marking applies to incorrect answers.

Paper I: Mathematics

Questions: 120
Maximum Marks: 300
Marks per Question: 2.5
Negative Marking: 0.83 marks for each incorrect answer
Duration: 2.5 hours

Paper II: General Ability Test (GAT)

Questions: 150
Maximum Marks: 600
Marks per Question: 4
Negative Marking: 1.33 marks for each incorrect answer
Duration: 2.5 hours

For every incorrect answer, one-third of the marks allotted to that question is deducted. Questions left unanswered carry no penalty. Accuracy is therefore important when attempting the NDA written examination.

NDA syllabus

The NDA syllabus is based broadly on the Class 11 and 12 curriculum. While the level does not exceed Class 12, the coverage is extensive, and candidates typically require several months of preparation to complete it.

Mathematics (300)

General Ability Test (300)

The General Ability Test combines two sections. English (200 marks) tests grammar, vocabulary and comprehension. General Knowledge (400 marks) covers Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Polity and Current Affairs.

NDA selection process

The NDA selection process consists of four stages. Candidates must clear each stage to proceed to the next.

1. Written examination (UPSC)

2. SSB interview (5 days)

3. Medical examination

Candidates recommended at the SSB undergo a detailed medical examination at a designated military hospital. Certain conditions may be reviewed, while others may result in rejection.

4. Final merit

UPSC prepares the final merit list by combining the written score (900 marks) and the SSB score (900 marks), out of a total of 1800. Candidates are allotted to the Army, Navy or Air Force wing based on merit, preference and available vacancies.

NDA Training

Training Duration: Cadets undergo 3 years of training at NDA, Pune, after which they proceed to their respective service academies for specialized training.
Service Academy Training: 1 year at IMA, Dehradun (for Army), 1 year at INA, Ezhimala (for Navy), and 1.5 years at AFA, Dundigal (for Air Force).
Commissioning: After completing training, cadets are commissioned as Lieutenants (Army), Sub Lieutenants (Navy), or Flying Officers (Air Force).

NDA FAQs

Can girls apply for NDA?

Yes. Women are eligible for all three wings and have been admitted since 2021. The eligibility, exam and selection process are identical.

What is the NDA full form?

NDA stands for National Defence Academy, located at Khadakwasla, Pune.

How many times can I attempt NDA?

NDA stands for National Defence Academy, located at Khadakwasla, Pune.

What happens if I clear the written exam but fail the SSB?

You do not proceed and there is no partial carry-forward. Both stages count equally toward the final merit list.

Join our SSB Coaching Program

Prepare for the SSB interview with our elite SSB panel which includes the ex-armed force officers who have served as GTO, Interviewing Officers and Psychologist in SSB Board.

Join Today!