The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a premier military training institution in India that prepares young individuals for a career in the Indian Armed Forces. Established in 1954, NDA is located in Khadakwasla, near Pune, Maharashtra. It is a joint services academy where cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force undergo training together before proceeding to their respective service academies for specialized training.

Purpose

The National Defence Academy (NDA) fulfills various vital functions, all of which are aimed at training young people for leadership roles in the Indian Armed Forces. The NDA serves the following key purposes:

                                                      I.Integrated Training for the Armed Forces –

The NDA is a tri-service military academy that gives applicants seeking to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force integrated training. Cadets from all three services train together, encouraging teamwork and brotherhood.

                                                   II.Leadership Development –

The academy focuses on improving cadets' leadership skills. Cadets learn to lead with discipline, courage, and strategic thinking through a rigorous training curriculum.

                                               III.Comprehensive Education –

The NDA educates its cadets with a well-rounded education that includes academic topics like as mathematics, physics, and humanities. This educational foundation is intended to provide cadets with the knowledge they will need as military officers.

                                                IV.Military Training –

Military training is an important part of the NDA's curriculum. Cadets are trained in a variety of military skills, such as drills, weapon handling, field exercises, and tactics.

                                                   V.Physical Fitness –

The academy places a high value on physical fitness. Cadets participate in sports, games, and physical activities to maintain their physical fitness, which is an important feature of military duty.

                                                VI.Character Building –

The NDA aims to instill a sense of discipline, integrity, and ethics in its cadets. The training is designed to build character and instill a strong sense of duty and commitment to the nation.

                                            VII.Preparation for specialized service academics –

After completing their first training at the NDA, cadets are assigned to their military academies for additional, more specialized instruction. This includes the Army's Indian Military Academy (IMA), the Navy's Naval Academy, and the Air Force's Air Force Academy (AFA).

                                        VIII.Preparation for officer role –

The NDA's training prepares cadets for officer roles in the armed forces, where they will be responsible for leading and managing teams, making strategic decisions, and upholding the values of the armed forces.

                                                IX.Camaraderie and Joint Manship –

Cadets at the academy are encouraged to have a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Training together builds a close camaraderie among future officers from many branches of the armed forces.

                                                   X.National Defence Leadership –

The NDA contributes to the development of national leadership by creating officers who will play critical positions in the country's defense and security.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance examination are set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Candidates must meet certain requirements related to age, educational qualifications, and nationality. Here are the key eligibility criteria for NDA:

Nationality

                                                       i.            Indian Citizen – The applying candidate should be a citizen of India.

                                                     ii.            Subject of Bhutan or Nepal – Candidates who are subject of Bhutan or Nepal.

                                                  iii.            Tibetan Refugees - Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before January 1, 1962, to settle permanently in India are also eligible.

                                                   iv.            Person of Indian Origin (PIO) - Individuals of Indian heritage who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam to permanently reside in India are eligible.

Age limit

                                                       i.            For NDA

Ø Born not earlier than July 2, 2004, and not later than January 1, 2008.

Ø The age limit may vary for different academies within the NDA, and candidates should refer to the official notification for specific details.

Gender –

Only male candidates can apply for NDA.

Marital Status –

Candidates must be unmarried.

Physical Fitness –

Medical Standards –

                                          I.            Medical Standards –

Candidates must meet the prescribed medical standards for admission to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2023.

Qualification

Educational Qualification

                                                                               i.            For the Army wing of NDA:

Ø Candidates must have graduated from a recognized high school or university with a 12th-grade diploma or equivalent.

                                                                             ii.            For the NDA's Air Force and Naval Wings, as well as the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy:

Ø Candidates must have graduated from a recognized board or institution with a 12th-grade or equivalent in Physics and Mathematics.

Note: Candidates in their 12th grade are also able to apply, as long as they meet the above educational requirements when they enter the academy.

Please note that the age limit may vary for different wings (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and different academies within NDA. It's essential to refer to the official notification issued by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the specific NDA examination you are interested in, as the age criteria may be subject to change in subsequent examinations.

Candidates are advised to check the official notification for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the age limit and other eligibility criteria for the NDA examination they intend to appear for.

Syllabus

The National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance examination syllabus is broken into two parts: mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) administers the NDA examination, and the syllabus is designed to assess the candidate's knowledge, competence, and aptitude for a career in the Indian Armed Forces.

1.    Mathematics

The mathematics paper in NDA includes topics from the 10+2 level. The syllabus covers the following areas:

A.  Algebra

Ø The concept of a set, operations on sets, and Venn diagrams are all covered.

Ø De Morgan legislation, Cartesian product, relationship, and equivalency relationship.

Ø Real numbers on a line, complex numbers, and their properties are all represented on a line.

Ø Combinations and permutations.

B.  Matrices and Determinants

Ø Matrix types and operations on matrices.

Ø A matrix's determinant, the fundamental features of determinants.

C.  Trigonometry

Ø Angle measurements in degrees and radians.

Ø Identity trigonometric.

Ø The laws of sine and cosine.

Ø Simple trigonometric function applications.

D.  Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions

Ø Cartesian coordinate system with a rectangular shape.

Ø The formula for calculating distance.

Ø A line and a plane's equation.

Ø The distance between two points on a line.

E.  Different Calculus:

Ø Domain, range, and graph of a real-valued function.

Ø A function's derivative at a given position.

Ø Sum, product, quotient, and chain rule derivatives.

Ø Derivatives' geometric and rate interpretations.

F.   Integral Calculus and Different Equations

Ø Integration as inverse of differentiation.

Ø Definite integrals and their properties.

Ø Formation of ordinary differential equations.

G. Vector Algebra

Ø Vectors in two and three dimensions.

Ø Scalar and vector products.

Ø Applications to work done by a force and moment of a force.

H. Statistics and Probability

Ø Classification of data, frequency distribution, cumulative frequency distribution.

Ø Measures of central tendency and dispersion.

Ø Random experiments and events, sample space.

Ø Probability of an event, probability distribution of a random variable.

2.    General Ability

The General Ability Test consists of two parts: English and General Knowledge.

A.  English

a.     Grammar and Usage

Ø Parts of speech, usage of articles, prepositions, conjunctions, and tenses.

Ø Sequence of tenses, direct and indirect speech, and active and passive voice.

Ø Correction of sentences.

b.    Vocabulary

Ø Synonyms and antonyms.

Ø Words with corresponding meanings.

Ø Singular and plural.

Ø One-word substitution.

c.     Comprehension

Ø A passage with questions based on its understanding.

B.  General Knowledge

a.     Physics

Ø Physical properties and states of matter.

Ø Mass, weight, volume, density, and specific gravity.

b.     Chemistry:

Ø Physical and chemical changes.

Ø Elements, mixtures, and compounds.

c.      General Science:

Ø Knowledge of the general scientific and technological developments.

d.    History, Freedom Movement, etc.:

Ø A broad understanding of the subject.

e.     Geography:

Ø Earth's shape and size, latitudes and longitudes, and concept of time.

f.      Current Events:

Ø Matters of everyday observation and experience in scientific aspects.

Exam Pattern

Ø The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) administers the written test.

Ø It is a multiple-choice test with objective questions.

Ø For wrong answers, there is a minus sign.

Ø The written examination has a total of 900 points.

Selection Criteria

The selection process for the National Defence Academy (NDA) involves a two-step procedure: a written examination and an interview process. The selection criteria for NDA are as follows:

1.   Written Examination

Subjects and Structure:

The NDA written examination consists of two papers:

A.  Mathematics (300 Marks):

Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Statistics, and Probability are some of the topics covered in this course.

B.  General Ability Test (600 Marks)

Physics, Chemistry, General Science, General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Geography, History, and the Freedom Movement are among the subjects covered.

1.   Interview Process

Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview:

o   Candidates who pass the written exam are invited to the SSB interview.

o   The Services Selection Board conducts the SSB interview.

o   The interview procedure comprises different psychological and physical examinations to determine the candidate's suitability for a career in the armed forces.

SSB Interview Components:

                                                     I.            Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Tests:

o   Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT)

o   Intelligence Tests

                                                 II.            Psychological Testing:

o   Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), World Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self-Description.

                                             III.            Interview Process

o   A personal Interview with an interviewing officer

o   Group testing officer tasks: Group discussions, group planning exercises, outdoor group tasks, and progressive group tasks.

                                              IV.            Conference

The final selection conference involves a thorough review of the candidate's performance during the entire SSB process.

1.    Final Merit

o   The final merit list is prepared based on the candidate's performance in the written examination and the SSB interview

o   Candidates who successfully clear both stages are eligible for final selection and subsequent training.

2.    Medical Examination

o   Candidates who qualify for the final merit list undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the prescribed physical and medical standards for admission to the National Defence Academy.

3.    Training

o   Successful candidates undergo a 3-year training program at the National Defence Academy before proceeding to their respective service academies for specialized training.

4.    Frequency

o   The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and the frequency of the NDA examination is semi-annual. The two NDA examination sessions are referred to as NDA (I) and NDA (II). Here are the key points regarding the frequency of the NDA examination:

                                                     I.            NDA (I):

o   The NDA (I) examination is usually held in the first half of the year, typically in April.

o   The notification for NDA (I) is generally released by UPSC several months before the examination date.

                                                 II.            NDA (II):

o   The NDA (II) examination is typically conducted in the second half of the year, usually in September.

o   The notification for NDA (II) is released in the months leading up to the examination.

The exact dates for the NDA examinations may vary from year to year, and candidates are advised to refer to the official UPSC website or notifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the schedule and frequency of the NDA examinations.

Frequency

The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The UPSC releases notifications for the NDA examination in April and October, and the exams are generally held in April/May and September/October. The exact dates may vary from year to year, and candidates are advised to check the official UPSC website or notifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Key points regarding the frequency of the NDA examination:

1.     NDA (I):

·         Notification: Released in April.

·         Exam: Conducted in April/May.

2.     NDA (II):

·         Notification: Released in October.

·         Exam: Conducted in September/October.

The NDA examination is a two-stage process, involving a written examination followed by an interview process conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the SSB interview. Successful candidates in both stages are then eligible for admission to the NDA for training.

It's important for aspirants to regularly check the official UPSC website and notifications for any updates or changes in the examination schedule. The frequency and schedule may be subject to variations based on UPSC's decisions and annual planning.