How to Join National Defence Academy (NDA)

NDA is the greatest institute that produces some of the most respectful military officers who have served the nation with great honor and dignity after becoming such a robust and determined military officer.

This prestigious academy, in addition to its rigorous military training, also focuses on the over all personality development of cadets that transforms them into disciplined, skilled, and effective leaders.

This article will discuss in detail everything about the NDA, from their eligibility criteria to the recruitment process and syllabus, pattern of exams, selection procedure, number of NDA academies in India, and many more career options after passing out from the academy.

Further in this article, we will be discussing the salary structure, life after NDA, and what it means to qualify for such a highly coveted institution.

 

What is the Full Form of NDA?

The full form of NDA is National Defence Academy.

NDA is a joint services academy located in , Pune, Khadakwasla where cadets from three force formations of the Indian Armed Forces-the Army, Navy, and Air Force undergo their training together before going to the respective service academies for further training.

It is a tri-service academy in the world and holds very great historical significance.

It marks one of the important phases of those who aspire to serve the nation in its various capacities in the Defence sector.

The platform represents not only a training ground for future military officers but also a cradle to groom national leaders who will take very crucial decisions during peace and war periods.

 

NDA Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

The most basic and imperative aspect of getting into National Defence Academy is that you meet the eligibility criteria for NDA.

In a highly competitive process, only a few candidates can actually get into the National Defence Academy when the eligibility criteria for NDA are strictly followed by candidates.

 

1. Nationality

– The candidate must be an Indian citizen.

– Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are also eligible.

It may not be surprising, therefore, that, in recent years, an application for registration under section 7A as an overseas Indian has become a step in Indian sing the politics of overseas Indians.

So, for example, – Tibetan refugees who have settled permanently in India before January 1, 1962 are covered;

-Indian origin migrants belonging to those who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and other East African nations are included, too, since they must be Indian nationals, though.

 

2. Age Limit

Age: A candidate must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age. The authentic age limits are different for every other cycle of the NDA exam. Age-related information is also available in the official notification issued.

• Candidate appears for the NDA I exam if he or she is born between: July 2 and January 1

Candidate will appear for the NDA II exam if he or she is born between: January 2 and July 1.

Note: Age should be between these years at the time of joining the course of NDA.

 

3. Gender and Marital Status

All male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the NDA exam.

Only unmarried candidates are accepted. A candidate who gets married before completing training at the NDA will be deemed disqualified.

 

4. Educational Qualification

• For the Army Wing of the NDA, only those candidates should be shortlisted who have passed the 10+2 or equivalent examination of a recognized Board.

For the Air Force and Naval Wings of the NDA, only candidates having a pass degree in 10+2 or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics are eligible.

Candidates appearing for their 12^th board exams are also eligible to apply. However, they have to produce the pass certificate during the SSB interview process.

5. Physical Standards

 

The candidates have to be in the best of their physical selves, as prescribed by the National Defence Academy. These include the following:

–   Height: The minimum acceptable height is 157 cm for male candidates and 152 cm for female candidates. Candidates belonging to particular regions like Gorkhas or northeastern states are allowed a 2-3 cm reduction in height.

–   Weight: The weight depends on age and height.

– Vision: Candidates should have good vision. The standards are:

In the case of Army and Navy: 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye.

In the case of Air Force: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other eye without any correction.

-Availability of candidates should not be suffering from any diseases or disabilities that may hinder their working.

 

How Many NDA Academies are There in India?

There is only one National Defence Academy (NDA) in India, which is located at Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra.

This is the premier military academy of India, where cadets from all three wings- Army, Navy, and Air Force are given training under one roof.

They are shifted to their corresponding specialized academies following successful completion of their training at NDA:

For army cadets, it is: Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun

For navy cadets, it is: Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.

– Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal for air force cadets.

 

NDA Recruitment Process: Step-by-Step

NDA Recruitment Process is a multi-step process to sift through the best possible candidates for military training and to have a future in the Defence forces.

Check out all the detailed steps given below of the recruitment process:

 

Step 1: NDA Notification and NDA Online Form

The process of recruitment starts with NDA notification, which the UPSC posts twice a year.

once in January for NDA I and once in June for NDA II. Application forms for the exam can be submitted in an NDA online form on the UPSC website.

The application form needs to be filled by providing personal details, educational qualifications, and other such information.

An applicant also needs to upload scanned images of photograph and signature along with the identity proof.

Care should be taken while filling up the form so that a discrepancy does not lead to disqualification.

 

Step 2: NDA Exam Pattern

The NDA exam is a two-written paper series:

 

1. Mathematics:

– Maths Paper contains 120 questions and carries a total of 300 marks.

It includes Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Vector Algebra, Matrices, Probability, etc.

Time: 2.5 hours

 

2. General Ability Test (GAT):

There are two sections in the GAT paper

1. English: This carries 200 marks and tests grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, and overall proficiency in English.
2. General Knowledge: This carries 400 marks and questions are framed fromPhysics, Chemistry, History,General Science, and Current Affairs.

– The time allotted: 2.5 hours.

The total marks in the written examination are 900 marks.

 

Step 3 of NDA Selection Procedure

After passing the written examination, candidates are invited for the SSB interview. It is a series of all-round five-day tests where candidates are tested on their leadership skills, personality characteristics, communication abilities, body fitness, and decision-making skills.

The SSB interview is divided into the following phases:

Psychological Tests: These are prescribed to gauge the mental alertness, attitude, and problem-solving abilities of the candidates.

– Group Exercises: These tests the leadership skills, team work, and other cooperative skills from a group.

– Personal Interview: It will be an interview where all his/her communication skills, confidence, and personality will be accessed.

– Conference: All members of the board sum up a candidate’s performance and make a final suggestion to the chosen candidate for hiring.

 

Step 4: Medical Check-Up

Candidates who pass the SSB interview are also mandated to undertake a comprehensive medical examination.

The purpose of such an examination is to assess whether these candidates are medicinally suitable for military training. A medical examination will involve tests aimed at ascertaining eye and ear sight as well as general physical fitness.

 

Step 5: Merit List

The final stage in the selection process is to prepare a merit list.

UPSC gives a ranked list of candidates from the results of the written examination and SSB interview. Of these, only those ranked high enough get to join the National Defence Academy.

 

NDA Syllabus: What to Expect?

The NDA syllabus is all-inclusive and accounts for the study of many courses so that the student has a broad and sound knowledge base. Here’s the syllabus in summary:

 

1. Mathematics:

Algebra: Set theory, complex numbers, quadratic equations, and progressions.

Trigonometry: Trigonometric identities, sine, cosine, and tangent functions.

Calculus: Differentiation, integration, and application of calculus.

Vector Algebra: Vectors, dot and cross products.

• Matrices and Determinants: Matrix properties, types of matrices, determinants.
• Probability and Statistics: Basic rules of probability, mean, median, and mode

 

 

2. General Ability Test (GAT) :

– English: Grammar rules, synonyms and antonyms, sentence correction and reading comprehension.

– General Knowledge

Physics: Laws of motion, electricity and magnetism, optics.

Chemistry: Elements, compounds, chemical reactions, acids and bases.

Biology:  Human body, plants, and animals.

History:  Indian and world history, freedom struggle.

Geography:  Earth, physical features, climate, population.

Current Affairs:  National and international events, government policies.

 

NDA Entrance Examination: Details

The NDA Entrance Examination is conducted twice in a year, once during April and again during September. Actually, the SSB interview after the written exam covers the core of selection procedure.

Here’s how to prepare for the NDA entrance exam:

 

1. All topics of the NDA Syllabus Be thorough with all the topics that come under Mathematics and General Ability Test.

Both the sections carry equal weightage and hence must be of equal importance.

2 .Practice previous year’s question papers. Previous year’s question papers would give an idea of the common trend and the level of difficulty one can expect.

3. Practice under timed conditions through mock tests to improve one’s speed and accuracy.
4. Physical Preparation: In an interview setting, one has to be qualified for NDA. Qualifying will entail good physical fitness, which is very important, just like maintaining a regular routine of running, push-ups, and other physical exercises.

 

What is Qualifying for NDA?

Qualifying the written examination and SSB interview is essential to get through NDA.

Though the NDA does not declare cut-off marks from the written exam, but usually, one would have to score around 350 to 360 marks out of 900 to be shortlisted at the SSB interview.

The SSB interview will measure the candidate for various qualities like the potential of being a leader, his intelligence, communication skills, and fitness level.

The position of a candidate in the merit list is much settled by his performance during the interview. For this purpose, the candidates are required to deliver good performances in both the written examination and the interview simultaneously to qualify for it.

 

NDA Exam Salary

During training at NDA, cadets are paid a stipend of approximately INR 56,100 per month. This stipend enables them to sustain their basic expenses while going through the strenuous training program.

When they get commissioned as officers in the Indian Armed Forces, the salaries increase in accordance with the rank and structure of the armed forces. For example:

– Lieutenant (Indian Army), Sub-Lieutenant (Indian Navy), or Flying Officer (Indian Air Force): INR 56,100 – INR 1,77,500 per month, without allowances.

– Apart from the basic pay, there are many allowances like field allowance, high-altitude allowance, flying allowance, etc. for officers as per their nature of duty.

 

NOW, WHAT AFTER NDA ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

The NDA entrance exam opens a vast panoply of career opportunities that lie in the Indian Armed Forces. Once the course at NDA is finished and further training at service academies is over, cadets are commissioned into the ranks of officers. What does a career look like in each of these three wings?

 

1. Indian Army:

– Become a Lieutenants who could rise to be a General.

– To serve and command troops, strategy and operation planning, and various operations at times of peace and war.

 

Indian Navy:

– The Officers begin as Sub-Lieutenants and rise to become an Admiral.

– Naval career opportunities include commanding ships and submarines, as well as participating in naval aviation and strategic maritime operations.

 

Indian Air Force:

– Commissioned as a Flying Officer, and may attain the rank of Air Chief Marshal

– A career in the Air Force includes flying fighter aircraft, helicopters, and transport aircraft involved in various air Defence and technical operations.

Officers can also diversify by choosing specialization courses, which may range from distinct fields to complex and advance subjects:

Parachute Jumping. It is for officers meant for airborne troops.

Flying: Advanced studies for Air Force officers.

Submariner Training: Specialized trainings for Navy officers.

Leadership and Strategy Courses: The officers are prepared to take up command positions at higher levels.

The officers are also given the exposure of going to college in India or abroad, preparing them further in their respective expertise and enhancing their prospects of career advancement .

NDA Jobs: What Awaits?

After joining the Indian Armed Forces from NDA, one can have huge job satisfaction alongside opportunities for personal growth and the ability to serve the nation.

Once commissioned, an officer can take up a wide variety of roles according to specialization-from combat roles to logistical management, technical services, and strategic planning.

After passing out from NDA, here are some specific job titles mentioned below-

Lieutenant (Indian Army)

Sub-Lieutenant (Indian Navy)

Flying Officer (Indian Air Force)

 

Officers can move up in ranks as they continue through their career. With responsibility, they climb the ladder to hold important positions to become:

– Brigadier/General (Army)

– Commodore/Admiral (Navy)

– Group Captain/Air Marshal (Air Force)

 

In addition, officers in the Indian Armed Forces have job security with a highly remunerative scale combined with many allowances and benefits such as shelter, medical benefits, and retirement pension. The Indian Armed Forces also provide opportunities for foreign travel, participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions, and service with international military organizations.

 

Conclusion

The National Defence Academy is one of the top institutions that comprise India’s best military training, and to join this great institution is the greatest victory an aspirant could hope for.

First of all, recruitment to NDA is not easy and tough in every aspect because only the best can be selected for a career in the Indian Armed Forces.

From the written examination to the SSB interview and, of course, the medical examinations, each step speaks to the high level of preparation and dedication that needs to go into attaining success.

To join NDA is an opportunity to start the adventure that makes the career a very fulfilling and, at the same time, assumes the huge responsibility of protecting the nation.

Prestigious lifer with unlimited opportunities for growth and leadership, they are military officers.

Whether you aspire for a career of flying fighter aircraft, commanding a naval flotilla, or leading troops on the battlefield, the National Defence Academy is the first step towards that challenge.

With hard work, determination, and perseverance, you can cut out a rewarding and honorable career in the Indian Armed Forces.

This entire selection process will take you on a journey full of adventure and responsibility, making you contribute to the safety, security, and growth of India.

If your passion is this great cause and if you are eligible and willing to devote to it, then NDA brings to you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a real leader and protector of the nation.