Welcome to Target Defence Academy. Here, we have complete details of the NDA Exam conducted by UPSC for the recruitment of officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The NDA exam is held twice a year, usually in April and September.

NDA Full Form – “National Defence Academy”

All About NDA Exam

Overview

Dear Aspirants, we have a complete guide for the candidates looking for a career in the Indian Armed Forces as an Officer. It’s an essential pathway for students who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces after completing their 12th grade.

Important Links for the NDA Exam

Who can apply for the NDA Exam?

To apply for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria in terms of age, education, gender, and marital status. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Eligibility Criteria:

• Age: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age on the first day of the month in which the exam is conducted.
• Educational Qualification:
  • For Army Wing: Candidates must have completed the 12th class (or equivalent) in any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts).
  • For Navy and Air Force Wings: Candidates must have completed the 12th class (or equivalent) with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
• Gender: Both male and female candidates can apply, but physical standards must be met.
• Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates can apply.

Selection Process

Written Exam (Stage 1):

• Paper 1 – Mathematics (300 marks): Objective-type questions that test candidates’ skills in areas like Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, Calculus, and Probability.
• Paper 2 – General Ability Test (GAT) (600 marks): Objective-type questions that test:
  • English: Understanding of the English language, vocabulary, and grammar.
  • General Knowledge: Includes subjects like Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Geography, History, Civics, and Current Affairs.

SSB Interview (Stage 2):

• After qualifying the written exam, candidates undergo a five-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
• This is a personality and intelligence assessment that includes tasks like group discussions, individual tasks, psychological tests, and physical fitness tests.
• The interview also evaluates leadership, communication skills, teamwork, and decision-making abilities.

Marking Scheme:

• Mathematics: 300 marks
• General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks
• Total Written Exam Marks: 900 marks
• SSB Interview: 900 marks
• The final selection is based on the total marks in the written exam and SSB interview combined.

Summary:

• Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
• Age Limit: 16.5–19.5 years
• Exam Frequency: Twice a year (April and September)
• Training Duration: 3 years at NDA, after which candidates are inducted into the respective branches of the Indian Armed Forces.