What is NDA & NA exam ?

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, conducted by UPSC twice a year, is an all India Entrance exam for students aspiring to enter into the elite Indian Army, Navy & Airforce through Joint defence training Academy.

Why NDA?
  • Serve the nation as Commissioned offices and rise through the ranks swiftly. The current Chief of Defence staff, Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff are alumni of the prestigious NDA.

  • Start the career as a high ranked official with a huge salary and perks/allowances.

  • The students shall also be conferred with degrees such as Bachelor of Arts/Science or Computer Science by JNU and a BTECH for Naval cadets from Indian Naval Academy during their tenure. Dual benefit- Degree + training with Indian Army/Navy/Airforce.

  • Students obtain the degree without any educational expense as it is entirely taken care of by the Indian government.

  • After training the candidates will be given the rank of Lieutenant in Army, Sub Lieutenant in Navy and Flying Officer in Air force at a very young age.

Personal traits required
  • Observational skills
  • Clarity in the thinking process
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Team building ability
  • Problem Solving ability
  • Decision making skills
Eligibility
  • Age limit: 16.5 to 19.5
  • Marital status: Unmarried
  • Education: Pass marks in 12th standard(10 +2) pattern. STUDENTS APPEARING FOR 12th STD EXAMINATION ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
  • Airforce and Navy: Physics, chemistry and Maths in 12th std.
  • Army: Open to all students
  • For more details on eligibility, kindly refer to the NDA notification released by UPSC
Selection Process:
Round 1: Written round

 The written round tests the students in the subjects of   Mathematics, English, Science, History, Geography and current affairs.

Round 2: SSB (Service Selection Board) - Test and Interview

  It is a two-stage selection process- Stage I and Stage II. Candidates clearing stage I are permitted for Stage II.

Stage I Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception & Description Test.
Stage II Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Test and the Conference.
Structure And Pattern Of The Written Round
Subject No. of questions Total Marks
Paper I Mathematics 100 300
Paper II General Ability Test 200 600
Total 900

Marks awarded for correct answer: 3 marks 
Negative marks for wrong answers: -1 marks

General Ability Test
Subjects No. of Questions(approx) Negative Marking
Part 1 English 65 -67 1 mark
Part 2 Physics 32 -34
Chemistry 19-21
General Science 12 -14
History 25 -27
Geography 25 -27
Current Events 12 -14
Career Growth Through NDA
Rank Pay(in Rs.)
Lieutenant 56,100 - 1,77, 500
Captain 61,300 - 1,93,900
Major 69,400 - 2,07,200
Lieutenant Colonel 1,21,200 - 2,12,400
Colonel 1,30,600 - 2,15,900
Brigadier 1,39,600 - 2,17,600
Major General 1,44,200 - 2,18,200
Lieutenant General HAG Scale 1,82,200 - 2,24,100
Lieutenant General HAG +Scale 2,05,400 - 2,24,400
VCOAS/Army Cdr/Lieutenant Gen (NFSG) 2,50,000 (Fixed)
COAS 2,50,000 (Fixed)
Women are also eligible to apply for the first time for NDA exam
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