What is the NDA?
India’s tri-service academy and the 10+2 officer-entry route explained clearly.
The National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune, is the joint-services academy where cadets of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force train together before moving to their respective service academies. It is an inter-service institution designed to develop military leadership, physical endurance, academic ability, discipline, and cooperation across the three Armed Forces.
The term “NDA exam” commonly refers to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), normally twice each year. The same notification covers admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and the separate 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy (INA).
Both eligible men and women may apply. Exact date-of-birth windows, vacancies, medical requirements, and course dates change with each notification, so the current UPSC notice always takes precedence over general guidance.
Conducting body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Frequency
Usually twice a year: NDA & NA I and II
Written exam
Mathematics (300) + GAT (600)
After written
SSB assessment (900) + medical examination
Who can apply?
- Unmarried male and female candidates who satisfy the nationality, age, and other conditions in the current UPSC notification.
- Army Wing: Class 12 pass in the 10+2 pattern or an equivalent examination.
- Navy, Air Force, and INA 10+2 entry: Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Candidates appearing in Class 12 may apply, subject to producing proof of passing by the deadline specified by UPSC.
- Every recommended candidate must satisfy the prescribed physical and medical standards. Written or SSB success alone does not guarantee admission.
Written examination at a glance
Paper I — Mathematics
300 marks · 2½ hours · objective questions
Paper II — General Ability Test
600 marks · 2½ hours · English (200) and General Knowledge (400)
Wrong answers attract a penalty of one-third of the marks assigned to that question. A blank answer has no penalty. Mathematics and the General Knowledge part of GAT are set bilingually in Hindi and English; the English section tests English itself.
The selection journey
Apply
Submit the UPSC online application and service preferences.
Written exam
Qualify Mathematics and GAT as required by UPSC.
SSB
Undergo intelligence and personality assessment in two stages.
Medical
Meet service-specific medical and physical standards.
Merit & allocation
Final allocation depends on merit, fitness, eligibility, vacancies, and preference.
The written examination and SSB each carry 900 marks. The final combined merit list is therefore based on 1,800 marks, subject to separate qualifying requirements and medical fitness. Air Force flying candidates must also satisfy the applicable pilot aptitude testing requirements.
Training and degree
Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets selected for NDA receive three years of academic, physical, and service training. Much of the initial training is common, building a shared foundation in leadership and joint-service understanding. Cadets who pass out are awarded degrees through Jawaharlal Nehru University according to their prescribed stream.
They then move to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, or Air Force Academy for service-specific pre-commission training. The INA 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme is distinct: selected cadets train directly at the Indian Naval Academy.
What NDA selection really means
NDA is not simply a college entrance exam or a conventional job test. Selection begins a demanding officer-training pathway. Cadets are expected to balance academics, drill, sports, physical conditioning, outdoor training, discipline, and responsibilities within a squadron system.
Clearing the written paper is only the first filter. Consistent communication, judgement, teamwork, initiative, trainability, integrity, fitness, and genuine motivation for military service matter throughout SSB and academy life.
Use official sources
Always verify dates, age limits, vacancies, fees, and medical standards in the current notification. Start with the UPSC website and the official service recruitment portals.