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Considered the first tri-service academy in the world, the National Defence Academy (NDA) of Indian Armed Forces is the training center for Indian navy, army and air force. The NDA is located in Khadakwasla near Pune.
To join the NDA, applicants has to start by clearing the UPSC NDA exam, followed by interview sessions conducted by Services Selection Board (SSB) that aims to test general aptitude, psychological testing, team skills, physical and social skills along with medical tests.
Approximately 4,50,000 appear for the first round of NDA exam. Though only 5000-6000 (approx) qualify for the interview round.
The NDA exam is conducted twice a year – April and September.
Eligibility criteria of NDA exam
The minimum age to apply for NDA exam is 16-years 6 months, up to a maximum age of 19-years 6months.
Only unmarried male candidates can apply for UPSC NDA exam. Also, NDA applicants can only marry after completing their respective training sessions.
Citizenship of applicants of NDA exam must be :
(i) a citizen of India
(ii) a subject of Bhutan
(iii) a subject of Nepal
(iv) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st July, 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India
(v) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
For those belonging between ii and v, will require a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Educational qualification for NDA exam
Class – XII pass from any state board or a university.
(in 10+2 academic system)
Educational qualification for air force, Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy
Class – XII pass from any state board or a university. (in 10+2 academic system)
Candidates appearing for XIIth standard admission can apply for the above positions in NDA.
However, students of XIth standard cannot apply for NDA exam.
If previously debarred by the Ministry of Defence, India at any occasion – such applicants are not permitted to take up the NDA exam.
Failed students in INSB/PABT cannot apply for Indian airforce.
Physical criteria for NDA exam
National Defence Academy and Naval Academy examination sets the following physical health criteria for NDA applicants:
Before final medical test in military hospitals, candidates have to should treat all minor and common disorders like ear wax, deviated nasal septum, piles, overweight/underweight, undersized chest, gynaecomastia, tonsillitis, varicocele.
Only candidates declared fit by medical board are offered admission to NDA.
Permanent body tattoos are accepted only on inner face of forearm. However applicants from tribal communities with tattoo marks on the face or body as per their existing custom and traditions will be permitted. Comdt Selection Center takes final decision for candidates and their tattoos.
Physical height criteria: 157 cms(162.5 cms. for Air Force)
For Gorkhas and applicants from North Eastern India the physical height can be 5 cm less.
For candidates from Lakshwadeep, height can be 2 cm less.
Exam centers of NDA exam
Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bareilly, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Dehradun, Delhi, Dharwad, Dispur, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Jorhat, Kochi, Kohima, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji (Goa), Patna, Port Blair, Raipur, Ranchi, Sambalpur, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Trivandrum, Tirupati, Udaipur, Vishakhapatnam
Official Website to apply for NDA exam
For queries candidates can contact UPSC’s facilitation counter near gate ‘C’ of its campus in person.
Telephone service: 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 on working days between 10.00 hrs and 17.00 hr
Documents required to apply for NDA exam
Selection and exam procedure for applicants of NDA exam
The UPSC publishes list of qualified candidates after the written exam, at their discretion.
Qualified candidates appear for interview (Intelligence and Personality Test) before SSB.
For air force candidates, PABT/INSB is mandatory.
To apply for Army/navy students have to qualify in
(i) Written examination
(ii) Officer potentiality test (as fixed by the Commission)
To apply for Air force students have to qualify in
(i) Written examination
(ii) Officer potentiality test
(iii) Pilot Aptitude Test (as fixed by the Commission)
Two stage selection procedure of NDA exam
All candidates has to undertake one test on first day of reporting at Selection Centers/Air Force Selection Boards. Those qualify the first stage, can go for the next series of tests.
On qualifying Stage II, candidates need to submit one photocopy of original matriculation pass certificate or equivalent in support of date of birth, (ii) original 10+2 pass certificate or equivalent documents.
For Stage I and remaining tests, candidates cannot claim compensation in case of accident or injury. Its at their own risk and guardians of each candidate has to sign a certificate prior to the beginning of test rounds.
In the NDA written exam, the paper wise time and marks division is:
| Subject | Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | 300 | 2 hours 30 Minutes |
| General Ability Test | 600 | 2 hours 30 Minutes |
In the NDA General Ability Test, the paper wise time and marks division is:
| Part | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | English | 200 |
| Part B | General Knowledge | 400 |
NDA Maths syllabus:
NDA General Knowledge syllabus:
Noteworthy Points:
NDA Exam 2017 dates:
Date of Notification: 18th January 2017
Online Applications: 18th January 2017 – 10th February 2017
Last Date for Receipt of Applications:10th February 2017
Date of NDA examination: 23rd April 2017
NDA Exam Results will be declared in: July-Aug 2017 (tentative)
SSB Interview for the candidates qualified in Written Exam will be held between September and December.
Tips to crack NDA exam
a) When appearing for NDA exam, students aim to solve many trial papers, study notes and so on. But the basic that they miss, is to follow the NCERT books thoroughly. NCERT books help to prepare better and is a good source when preparing for NDA exam.
b) NDA written exam includes negative marking. For each wrong answer. 0.25 marks is deducted from grand total. So carefully mark your answers on the OMR sheet, so that you get the best score.
c) As the use of calculator is not permitted in NDA exam, hence its recommended to learn maths short cuts for ease on the NDA exam day.
d) Current affair from television, newspaper, radio and internet should be given ample focus while preparing for NDA exam.
e) Before hitting the exam hall, make sure you have solved NDA question papers and is used to the time management required to solve the entire paper.
Books for NDA exam
Pathfinder for NDA & NA Entrance Examination National Defence Academy/Naval Academy Conducted by UPSC
This official book from UPSC is a must buy from the initial stage of NDA exam. It helps to understand the NDA exam question paper pattern and is clubbed with sample papers and notes.
Chapterwise-Sectionwise Solved Papers NDA & NA (Mathematics/English/General Ability) with Explanatory Solutions Paperback
Very vibrant to look at, this book has all the sections of NDA exam divided according to chapters for easy understanding of students. The book is an ideal guide and question-answers vividly explained for students to understand.
Pathfinder for NDA & NA Entrance Examination National Defence Academy/Naval Academy Conducted by UPSC by Arihant Experts
This NDA guide book by Arihant experts is an ideal pick for NDA aspirants. Study the book carefully to bag good score and placement in NDA exam.
Study Package for NDA Entrance Examination Paperback
Aimed for NDA students, this book offers a plethora of question-answer in each of the NDA subject to develop problem solving skills among students and help them understand each topic easily.
10 Practice Sets NDA & NA Entrance Exam
Its hard to get NDA practice papers online. As substitute simply order this book and you will get in one go, a lot of practice questions that you can try before hitting the exam center. Solutions to the problem are offered at the end of the book for your convenience.
Published on 2017-01-04 15:48:27 by Deepti Bhayana. Last Modified on 2017-01-04 15:48:27
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