NDA (National Defence Academy)

 

 

About NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a premier joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together before proceeding to their respective service academies. The NDA entrance exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year—NDA I in April and NDA II in September. This prestigious exam is a gateway for young aspirants to pursue a career in the Indian Armed Forces as officers.

Mode of Examination NDA:

The NDA exam is conducted in an offline mode (pen-and-paper-based) format. It comprises two main sections:

• Mathematics: Objective-type questions
• General Ability Test (GAT): Objective-type questions covering English, General Knowledge, and Science

Both sections are conducted in a single day, followed by the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview for candidates who qualify in the written examination.

Duration of Test:

The NDA exam is conducted over a duration of 5 hours divided into two parts:

🕒 Mathematics: 2 hours 30 minutes (300 Marks)
🕒 General Ability Test (GAT): 2 hours 30 minutes (600 Marks)

Total marks for the written examination are 900, followed by 900 marks for the SSB interview, making a total of 1800 marks.

Documents Required for NDA Registration:

To complete the NDA 2025 registration, candidates must upload the following documents:

✅ Recent Passport-Sized Photograph (20–300 KB, JPG format)
✅ Signature (20–300 KB, JPG format)
✅ Educational Qualification Certificates (Class 10th and 12th mark sheets)
✅ Valid ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport)
✅ Caste Certificate (if applicable)

Eligibility to Appear in NDA Exam:

🔹 Age Limit:

• Candidates should be between 16.5 to 19.5 years of age as of January 1st or July 1st of the examination year.

🔹 Gender:

• Both male and female candidates are eligible.

🔹 Marital Status:

• Candidates must be unmarried and remain unmarried during the training period.

🔹 Educational Qualification:

• For Army Wing: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board.
• For Air Force and Naval Wings: Candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.

🔹 Nationality:

• Must be an Indian citizen, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962.

Qualifications and Qualifying Examination:

Candidates must appear for the written examination followed by the SSB Interview. Successful candidates are subjected to a medical examination as per the standards set by the armed forces.

How to Apply for NDA Exam:

The NDA application process is online through the official UPSC website.

1️⃣ Visit the UPSC Website: upsc.gov.in
2️⃣ Fill out the Online Application: Register and provide personal, educational, and contact details.
3️⃣ Upload Required Documents: Upload scanned copies of the photograph, signature, and ID proof.
4️⃣ Pay the Application Fee: Payment can be made via credit/debit card, net banking, or e-challan.
5️⃣ Submit and Download Confirmation: Print the confirmation page for future reference.

Pattern of the NDA Exam:

The NDA exam consists of two papers:

📌 Mathematics:

• Total Questions: 120
• Total Marks: 300
• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Marking Scheme: +2.5 marks for each correct answer, -0.83 for each incorrect answer

📌 General Ability Test (GAT):

• Total Questions: 150
• Total Marks: 600
• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Sections:
  • English: 200 Marks
  • General Knowledge: 400 Marks (includes Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Events)
• Marking Scheme: +4 marks for each correct answer, -1.33 for each incorrect answer

📌 SSB Interview:

• Conducted in two stages over five days, assessing personality, intelligence, and physical fitness.

NDA Application Form Fees 2025:

The application fees for NDA 2025 are as follows:

✅ General/OBC Candidates: ₹100
✅ SC/ST/NCOs/ORs/Sons of JCOs: Exempted from fee

Detailed Syllabus for NDA Exam:

📖 Mathematics:

• Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Vector Algebra, Statistics, and Probability

📖 General Ability Test (GAT):

• English: Vocabulary, Grammar, Comprehension, Cohesion in extended texts
• General Knowledge:
  • Physics: Physical properties, motion, thermodynamics, optics
  • Chemistry: States of matter, atomic structure, chemical reactions
  • General Science: Biology basics, nutrition, diseases
  • History: Indian independence, world history
  • Geography: Earth, climate, resources
  • Current Events: National and international importance

Prominent Academies After NDA:

Cadets who clear NDA move to specialized academies for further training:

🏅 Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
🏅 Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
🏅 Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad

These academies transform young cadets into professional officers for the Indian Armed Forces.

Subject-Wise Analysis of NDA Exam:

📌 Mathematics: Focus on problem-solving, speed, and accuracy.
📌 English: Strong command over language and comprehension skills.
📌 General Knowledge: Wide-ranging knowledge of science, history, and current affairs.

Role of Mock Tests in Preparation for NDA Exam:

Mock tests help in:
✔ Improving Time Management: Practicing under timed conditions.
✔ Identifying Weak Areas: Concentrating on subjects needing more attention.
✔ Increasing Accuracy: Reducing negative marking by refining answer techniques.

Important Links:

📌 Syllabus: UPSC NDA Syllabus
📌 Apply Online: NDA Application Form
📌 Official Notification: NDA Notification