The National Defence Academy is an iconic institution and hallmark of global excellence in the sphere of military
education. Over the years it has emerged as a unique military academy, attracting the best of youth from our nation
and also from friendly foreign countries and transforming them into officers and gentlemen.
Training at the NDA will continue to provide academic and technological training of the highest quality in order to
equip cadets with appropriate qualifications as a foundation for their service careers. Future wars will be driven
by technology. To ensure that the Cadet passing out from NDA has the mind of a visionary and the quest of a researcher,
the training focuses on the knowledge domain.
It essential to understand why the soldier (in the broader sense) is pivotal for the wellbeing of a nation-state.
It is said “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him”
Today in a globalized and interdependent world, Nation-building has become even more relevant. Nation states
are political units in an international system and they represent the citizens aspiration to be grouped in a
single political unit that would in turn act as an instrument to achieve, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
So the process of Nation Building by any nation aims at the unification of the people within the state so that
it remains politically stable and viable in the long run.
Preparing for NDA is not difficult. You have to outline the syllabus and manage the schedule and design the preparation according to it.
After seeing the bulk of NDA syllabus, most candidates get disheartened. But it's not that
huge as most of the basic concepts are from the subjects studied in school and college.
To crack the examination, one should study smart. For this, the aspirant should divide the subjects into manageable chunks.
NDA written exam is comprised of two tests. Duration of each test is two and a half hours and both are conducted on the same day, consecutively. Examination is set by the UPSC.
| Test/ Paper | I | II |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Mathematics | General Ability Test |
| Duration | 2.5 Hours | 2.5 Hours |
| No of questions | 120 | 150 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 | 600 |
| Total = 900 |
NDA written entrance examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year. The exam is held in the months of April and September. Notification for the exam appears in the month of Dec/Jan for the April exam and in the months of May/June for the September exam. Candidates must apply to sit for the examination, online on the UPSC website after notification is released by UPSC.
| ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | Age | Between 16 ½ to 19 ½ yrs as of first day of the month in which course is due to commence. | Qualification | 12th Class of (10+2) System of Education. Maths and Physics are compulsory for Air force and Navy. Commerce and Arts students can apply for army. | Sex | Male candidates only. Women cannot apply for NDA. | Marital Status | Un Married | Likely SSB Date | September to October and Janaury to April | Date Commencement of Training | Janaury and Juyl | Training Academy | NDA , Khadakwasla, Pune | Duration of Training | 3 Yrs at NDA and 1 Yrs at IMA(For Army cadets)/ 3 Yrs at NDA and 1 Yrs at Naval Academy( for Naval cadets)/ 3 Yrs at NDA and 1 & ½ Yrs at AFA Hyderabad (For AF cadets) |
|---|
The Service Selection Board (SSB), set up by the Ministry of Defence, undertakes a combined interview to evaluate prospective candidates for recruitment in the Army, Navy and Air Force. The benchmarks on which the candidates are assessed include intelligence, personality, psychology, compatibility and potential. Hence, mental preparation holds prominence over physical preparation, although physical fitness will be an added advantage.
The five-day personality and intelligence test schedule is as under:
Many candidates think that with bookish and hear-say knowledge, they can clear
the SSB without any help. But, it is recommended that a candidate undergo proper coaching to prepare him/her for upcoming SSB interview.
Having an optimistic approach in the SSB interview is the most significant factor, which is usually not taken
heed of by SSB aspirants sometimes. The basic thing you need to understand here is that whenever you are shown
any picture during PPDT or asked some personal questions during the personal interview session, the examiners
are trying to study characteristics of your personality.
Inculcating OLQ like Leadership, Decision making, Self-confidence, Determination, Power of Expression, Effective Intelligence, Reasoning Ability, Courage, Social & Organizational Ability, Influential, Spontaneous, Stamina, Cooperation
