The National Defence Academy was established in 1949 as a prestigious Military Academy, attracting exceptional young men not just from all regions of the country but also from allied nations. Over the course of seventy years, the National Defence Academy has experienced significant growth in both grace and grandeur. The institution has produced exceptional individuals who have displayed their abilities and exemplified the spirit of cooperation and unity among different branches of the military, thereby confirming the beliefs and aspirations of its founders.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the NDA exam biannually (twice a year) to choose candidates for admission to the academy. In 2023, more than 6 lakh candidates appeared for the NDA & NA exam (II) competing for 395 posts, and out of these, NDA & NA I had 628 successful candidates. In 2022, NDA II saw 8,509 pass the written test, with 538 succeeding in the SSB interview. In 2021, NDA II had 8,010 candidates pass the written exam, with 462 making it through the SSB interview.
You can refer to these ebooks for your preparation:
NDA/NA Paper 1 GAT + NDA Paper 2 Maths Combined E-Book 2023
NDA/NA Important Practice e-book
NDA-NA Chapterwise E-Book Set (Hindi)
NDA Free E-Book
NDA GK E-Book
Table of Contents:
Eligibility Conditions
NDA Exam Selection Process
Interview
NDA Exam Salary/ Stipend
NDA Training
Career Opportunities after NDA
How to Prepare for NDA Exam 2024
Program of NDA Examinations-2024
| Sr.No. | Name of Exam. | Date of Notification | Last date for receipt of Applications | Date of commencement of exams | Duration of Exam |
| 1 | N.D.A & N.A Exam.(I), 2024 | 20.12.2023 | 09.01.2024 | 21.04.2024(Sunday) | 1 Day |
| 2 | N.D.A & N.A Exam.(II), 2024 | 15.05.2024 | 04.06.2024 | 01.09.2024(Sunday) | 1 Day |
Eligibility Conditions
To be eligible for the NDA exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:- Nationality: A candidate must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or have a certificate of Indian citizenship.
- Marital Status: Unmarried Male/Female
- Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years
- Educational Qualification: Education qualification varies based on the respective wings:
- Army Wing: Minimum qualification is passing class 12th or equivalent from a recognized board.
- Air Force Wing: Minimum qualification is passing class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class can also apply for this examination.
- Navy Wing: Minimum qualification is passing class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class can also apply for this examination.
NDA Exam Selection Process
The NDA exam selection process consists of two stages: a written exam and an interview.- Written Exam
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks |
| Mathematics | 01 | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 02 | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| Total | 900 |
Mathematics
The Mathematics paper covers topics such as Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, trigonometry, Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions, Differential, Calculus and Differential Equations, Vector Algebra and statistics, and Probability.
General Ability Test (GAT)
The GAT is divided into two parts:
|
Parts |
Subject Topics |
Subjects/ Chapters |
|
Part 1 |
English |
This section tests candidates' knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. |
|
Part 2 |
General Knowledge |
The general knowledge section covers topics such as Physics, Chemistry, General Science, history, geography, and current affairs. |
*The papers on all the subjects will consist of objective-type questions only. The question papers (Test Booklets) of Mathematics and part “B” of the General Ability Test will be set bilingually in Hindi and English.
You can refer to these previous years' papers to understand the pattern of the NDA exams:
NDA NA Previous Year Paper
NDA Previous Year Paper
NDA Previous Year Question Paper
Interview
The SSB procedure consists of two stages Selection process - stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear stage I are permitted to appear for stage II. The details are as follows:
(a) Stage I comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception * Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on the combination of performance in the OIR Test and PP&DT.
(b) Stage II Comprises Interviews, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days.
| Interview | Max. Marks |
| SSB Test/Interview | 900 |
NDA Exam Salary/ Stipend
The salary of NDA cadets depends on their rank and service. After completing their training, cadets are commissioned as officers in their respective services.- Fixed Stipend for Cadet Training:- Stipend to male/female Cadets during the entire duration of training in Service academies i.e. during the training period at IMA - Rs 56,100/-p.m (Starting pay in Level 10)
NDA Preparation 2023, Check How To Prepare for NDA With Top Tricks and Right Strategy
For Videos:
NDA 2023 Complete Video Course
NDA Screening Test
NDA Training
The training at NDA is rigorous and comprehensive. It is designed to prepare cadets for the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of a career in the armed forces. The training details are as follows:- Structure & Duration: There are six terms that make up the three years of NDA training. Cadets go through tough physical training, academics, and programs that help them improve their character.
- Academic Curriculum: In order to give students a well-rounded education, the program includes math, physics, chemistry, social sciences, and military studies, among other things.
- Military Training: Cadets get specialized training in many military skills, such as how to use weapons, read maps, do drills and field exercises, and become better leaders.
- Personality Development: When it comes to personality development, the focus is on building leadership, control, teamwork, and time management skills.
Career Opportunities after NDA
NDA cadets become officers in the Army, Navy, or Air Force after finishing their training. They can move up in the ranks to top positions and specialize in areas like aviation, engineering, or medicine.How to Prepare for NDA Exam 2024
Here are some tips for preparing for the NDA exam 2024:- Start your preparation early
- Understand the exam syllabus and pattern
- Create a study schedule and stick to it
- Focus on your weaker areas
- Practice solving previous year's question papers
- Take mock tests regularly