There are many students seeking their career in various competiton but they don't know about Defence Exams options. In this article we will explain how to join NDA? If you are looking for a bright and proud career then NDA is best option for boys and girls. As you know Our Indian armed forces is third largest force in the world. NDA is the most prestigeous exam in India.
This exam is conducted by Union Public Service commission twice in a year. If you all are curious to know how to join NDA then read this article carefully , you will definetly know all the facts about NDA Exam.
What is NDA (National Defence Academy) ?
National Defence Academy is located in Pune (Khadagwasla), This institute is an iconic symbol for global excellence in the sphere of military education. Over the years it has emarged asa unique Tri-services military academy. The motto and vision of this institute to produced best officers for our country. National defence academy is recoganized by Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi for the award of B.A/B.Sc/B.sc (Computer Science ) for Army Cadet and B.Tech degree for Navy and Airforce Cadets.
Application Form Dates -
As you already know this exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commision (UPSC) , twice in a Year. In this table we will discuss when upsc released theapplication form and what is the last date to apply for upcoming NDA Exam 2025.
| PAPER | AVAILABILITY OF FORMS | EXAM DATE |
| NDA (I) 2025 | 21-11-2024 - 10-01-2025 | 13-04-2025 |
| NDA (II) 2025 | 15-05-2025 - 04-06-2025 | 14-09-2025 |
Eligibility & Age Criteria for NDA ?
In this table you can easily understand the age and eligibility criteria for NDA.
| EXAM NAME | AGE | ELIGIBILITY |
| NDA (I) 2025 | 16.5 -19.5 | 10+2 Appearing or Passed with any Stream |
| NDA (II) 2025 | 16.5-19.5 | \n' +
'\t10+2 Appearing or Passed with any Stream |
Note-
for Army 10+2 (Apperaing or Passed) with any Stream.
for Airforce ,Navy & Naval Academy 10+2 (Appearing & Passed) with Science Stream.
EXAMINATION DETAILS -
NDA Exam is conducted in both language Hindi and English , there are many rumors that NDA Exam is held only in English Language but this is wrong, Papers are bilingual.
| PAPER | NO. OF QUESTIONS | DURATION | MARKS |
| MATHEMATICS | 120 | 150 Min. | 300 |
| GENERAL ABILITY TEST | 150 | 150 Min. | 600 |
| TOTAL | 270 | 300 Min. | 900 |
Note- 1/3 rd Negative Marking in Each Question.
PHYSICAL STANDARD FOR NDA EXAM -
To join NDA Physical fitness is plays a vital role. In this table all physical standards are give
| Height (in cms) | Weight (in Kgs ) | ||
| 16-17 Years | 17-18 Years | 18-19 Years | |
| 152 | 42.5 | 44.0 | 45.0 |
| 155 | 43.5 | 45.3 | 47.0 |
| 157 | 45.0 | 47.0 | 48.0 |
| 160 | 46.0 | 48.0 | 49.0 |
| 162 | 48.0 | 50.0 | 51.0 |
| 165 | 50.0 | 52.0 | 53.0 |
| 167 | 51.0 | 53.0 | 54.0 |
| 170 | 52.5 | 55.0 | 56.0 |
| 173 | 54.5 | 57.0 | 58.0 |
| 175 | 56.0 | 59.0 | 60.0 |
| 178 | 58.0 | 61.0 | 62.0 |
| 180 | 60.0 | 63.0 | 64.5 |
| 183 | 62.5 | 65.0 | 66.5 |
Note:
For Gorkhas and the candidates belonging to hills of North-Eastern parts of India, Garhwal, and Kumaon, the minimum height requirement is 5 cm less than the figure mentioned above.
According to the NDA eligibility 2023, there is a relaxation of 2 cm for the candidates belonging to Lakshadweep.
NDA Vision Standards-
A selected candidate for NDA represents our country and bears plenty of duties and responsibilities. For an applicant, it is crucially important to stand fit medical requirements. One of the major important NDA eligibility requirements is a medical test for vision standards. NDA medical test requirements for vision are:
The distance vision (corrected) should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye.
Myopia of more than 2.5 D is not allowed.
Hypermetropia more than 3.5 D including astigmatism is not allowed.
Candidates applying forIndian Air Force must not wear spectacles.Below are the visual standards for the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force as per the official NDA eligibility criteria.
| NDA Eligibility on Vision Standards | ||
| Specification | Naval | Airforce |
| Uncorrected without glass | 6/6 | 6/6, 6/9 |
| Corrected with glass | 6/6 | 6/6 (only for Hypermetropia) |
| Limits of Myopia | -0.75 | Nil |
| Limits of Hypermetropia | +1.5 | +2.00 D Sph |
| Limits of Colour Perception | I | Nil |
| Binocular Vision | III | Nil |
| Manifest Myopia | N.A. | Nil Re |
| Tinoscopic Myopia | N.A. | 0.5 |
| Colour Vision | N.A. | CP-I (MLT) |
| Astigmatism | N.A. | +0.75 Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max) |
| Near Vision | N.A. | N-5 each eye |
How to Join NDA- Selection Process
The selection process for joining the National Defence Academy (NDA) is rigorous and highly competitive. The selection process consists of two stages - written examination and a Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. Here's a detailed explanation of the selection process.
1-Written Examination: The written examination comprises two papers - Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The Mathematics paper is of 300 marks, and the GAT paper is of 600 marks. The GAT paper includes questions from English, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs. The duration of each paper is two and a half hours. The written examination is conducted twice a year, in April and November, by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the SSB interview.
2-Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview: The SSB Interview is a five-day process that evaluates a candidate's aptitude, personality, and suitability for a career in the defence forces. The SSB Interview is conducted in two stages - Stage I and Stage II. Stage I of the SSB Interview comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT). Candidates who qualify in Stage I are eligible to appear for Stage II. Stage II of the SSB Interview includes Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, Psychological tests, and Interview. Candidates who qualify in Stage II are recommended for admission to the NDA.It is essential to note that the selection process is highly competitive, and only a small percentage of candidates who appear for the written examination are recommended for admission to the NDA. Therefore, candidates must prepare thoroughly and stay disciplined throughout the selection process to increase their chances of success.
How to Join NDA - Preparation Tips
Joining the National Defense Academy (NDA) is a dream of many young aspirants who want to serve their country by joining the Indian Armed Forces. NDA is a tri-service academy that provides training to candidates for joining the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The NDA examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The selection process consists of a written test, followed by an interview conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB). The exam pattern includes two papers - Mathematics and General Ability Test.
Here are some preparation tips thatcan help you crack the NDA examination:
- Understand the Exam Pattern: The first step to cracking any exam is to understand its pattern and syllabus. Understand the exam pattern, the topics covered, and the marking scheme before you start preparing for the examination.
- Make a Study Plan: Once you understand the exam pattern and syllabus, make a study plan that suits your schedule. Divide your time between Mathematics and General Ability Test, and set realistic goals to cover the entire syllabus.
- Practise Previous Year Question Papers: Solving previous year question papers is an excellent wayto prepare for the NDA examination. It gives you an idea of the type of questions asked, the difficulty level, and helps you manage your time during the exam.
- Improve Your General Knowledge: General Knowledge is an essential component of the General Ability Test. You can improve your general knowledge by reading newspapers, watching news channels, and reading books on various topics.
- Improve Your Mathematics Skills: Mathematics is a crucial component of the NDA examination. It is essential to have a strongfoundation in Mathematics. Practice Mathematics regularly, and try to solve complex problems to improve your problem-solving skills.
- Stay Fit: Being physically fit is also an essential component of the NDA selection process. Start exercising regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and prepare for the physical tests conducted during the SSB interview.
- Develop Leadership and Communication Skills: The SSB interview assesses your leadership and communication skills. It is essential to develop these skills by participating in extracurricular activities, public speaking, and group discussions.
Prepare online with NDA Mock test to crack the NDA Exam!
Cracking the NDA examination requires hard work, dedication, and a systematic approach. By following these preparation tips, you can increase your chances of success and achieve your dream of joining the Indian Armed Forces.
Check out elaborated NDA Preparation Tips.
How to Join NDA - Exam Dates
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defense Academy (NDA) examination twice a year and this year the first attempt is being held on 16th April 2023. Candidates are suggested to check the dates for the NDA examination announced by the UPSC on its official website. Here are the steps to check the NDA exam dates:
- Visit the official website of the UPSC
- Click on the 'Examination' tab on the homepage
- Select 'Calendar' from the drop-down menu
- Click on the 'Annual Calendar 2025' link shown in the image below
- Look for the NDA examination dates in the calendar
The NDA examination is conducted in two stages - a written test and an interview conducted by the Service Selection Board (SSB). The written test consists of two papers - Mathematics and General Ability Test. The interview process includes a physical fitness test, psychological tests, group discussion, and personal interview.
The NDA exam dates are usually announced six months before the exam date. It is essential to keep a close eye on the official website of the UPSC for any updates regarding the exam dates. Candidates can also subscribe to email alerts or SMS notifications from the UPSC to stay updated about the NDA examination dates.
