Dreaming of wearing the prestigious Olive Green uniform, the White Ensign, or Air Force Blue? The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the premier tri-services academy that trains future officers for the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
Every year, millions of young defence aspirants appear for the NDA exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year (NDA I and NDA II).
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the NDA examination—from eligibility criteria and syllabus to physical standards, salary, and proven preparation strategies.
NDA Exam Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year (NDA I & NDA II) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper – OMR Sheet) |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam $\rightarrow$ SSB Interview $\rightarrow$ Medical Test $\rightarrow$ Final Merit List |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
NDA Eligibility Criteria
Before starting your preparation, make sure you satisfy all eligibility conditions set by the UPSC.
1. Age Limit & Marital Status
- Age Bracket: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years at the time of joining the academy.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
2. Educational Qualification
- For Indian Army Wing: Passed $10+2$ (Class 12th) or equivalent from a recognized board (Any stream: Science, Commerce, or Arts).
- For Air Force & Naval Wings (including 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme): Passed $10+2$ with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as compulsory subjects.
Note: Students currently studying in Class 12th are also eligible to apply provisionally.
NDA Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The written examination consists of two objective papers: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT).
| Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Duration | Max Marks |
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 120 | 2.5 Hours | 300 |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 2.5 Hours | 600 |
| Total | Written Exam | 270 | 5 Hours | 900 |
Marking & Negative Marking Scheme:
- Mathematics: +2.5 marks for correct answer | -0.83 marks negative marking.
- GAT: +4 marks for correct answer | -1.33 marks negative marking.
Complete NDA Written Exam Syllabus
1. Mathematics Syllabus (300 Marks)
- Algebra & Matrices/Determinants
- Trigonometry & Analytical Geometry (2D and 3D)
- Differential Calculus & Integral Calculus
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics & Probability
2. General Ability Test (GAT) Syllabus (600 Marks)
The GAT paper is divided into two sections:
- Part A: English (200 Marks): Grammar & Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Synonyms & Antonyms, Sentence Rearrangement.
- Part B: General Knowledge (400 Marks):
- Physics: Mechanics, Magnetism, Optics, Sound, Electricity.
- Chemistry: Physical & Chemical Changes, Elements, Compounds, Acids, Bases.
- General Science: Basics of Biology, Human Physiology, Diseases.
- History & Freedom Movement: Modern Indian History, Freedom Struggle.
- Geography: Physical Geography, Indian Geography, Maps, Climate.
- Current Affairs: National & International Events, Defence News.
NDA Selection Process: 4 Crucial Steps
[Written Exam (900 Marks)]
⬇
[SSB Interview (900 Marks)]
⬇
[Medical Examination]
⬇
[Final Merit List]
- Written Examination: Conducted by UPSC across major Indian cities.
- SSB Interview (Stage 1 & Stage 2): A 5-day evaluation process assessing personality, psychological traits, group dynamics, and officer-like qualities (OLQs).
- Medical Board Examination: Comprehensive medical screening conducted by Military Hospitals.
- Final Merit List: Recommended candidates are ranked based on their combined scores in the Written Exam and SSB Interview.
NDA Physical & Medical Standards
Physical fitness is as crucial as academic readiness. Here are the basic requirements:
Height & Weight Requirements
- Male Candidates: Minimum height is 157 cm (162.5 cm for Flying Branch in Air Force).
- Female Candidates: Minimum height is 152 cm.
- Relaxation in height is applicable for candidates belonging to Gorkhas, North-Eastern regions, and Garhwal/Kumaon.
Visual Standards
- Army/Navy: Uncorrected vision should be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other.
- Air Force (Flying Branch): Uncorrected vision must be 6/6 in both eyes. Color vision must be CP-I.
NDA Officer Salary, Cadre Perks & Allowances
Joining NDA opens the door to a prestigious career with competitive pay and comprehensive military benefits.
Stipend During Training
- Cadets at NDA and tri-services academies receive a fixed monthly stipend of ₹56,100 per month (Pay Level 10) during their training period.
Post-Commissioning Pay Scale (Lieutenant / Equivalent)
| Rank | Pay Level | Pay Scale (INR per month) |
| Lieutenant / Sub Lieutenant / Flying Officer | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Captain / Lieutenant / Flight Lieutenant | Level 10B | ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 |
| Major / Lt Commander / Squadron Leader | Level 11 | ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 |
| Lt Colonel / Commander / Wing Commander | Level 12A | ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400 |
Additional Perks & Allowances:
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 / month
- Flying Allowance, High Altitude Allowance, Field Area Allowance (where applicable)
- Canteen (CSD) privileges, free medical coverage for self & family, government accommodation, and lifelong pension benefits.
How to Crack NDA in 1st Attempt: Pro Preparation Strategy
- Master NCERTs First: Build your foundation in History, Geography, Physics, and Chemistry using Class 9th to 12th NCERT textbooks.
- Focus Heavily on Mathematics: Math is the qualifying barrier. Practice Class 11th and 12th RD Sharma or RS Aggarwal standard questions daily.
- Solve Past 10 Years’ Question Papers: UPSC frequently repeats concepts. Solving previous year papers (PYQs) builds speed and accuracy.
- Read English Newspapers Daily: Improve vocabulary, comprehension, and stay updated on global news for both GAT and SSB.
- Start Physical Fitness Early: Maintain daily outdoor runs, push-ups, and pull-ups. Fitness cannot be built overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is there any attempt limit for the NDA exam?
Ans: No, there is no fixed limit on the number of attempts. You can apply as long as you meet the age eligibility requirement ($16.5 \text{ to } 19.5 \text{ years}$).
Q2. Can Arts and Commerce students apply for NDA?
Ans: Yes! Arts and Commerce stream students can apply for the Indian Army Wing. However, for the Air Force and Naval Wings, Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 are mandatory.
Q3. Can female candidates apply for the NDA exam?
Ans: Yes, following the Supreme Court’s order, eligible unmarried female candidates can apply for all three wings of the NDA.
