National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination is an entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission twice a year for admissions into the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy. The NDA Exam serves as a gateway for candidates seeking a career in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
History
The NDA Exam was first conducted in the year 1954 after the NDA was established to train cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force together.Eligibility
To be eligible for the NDA Exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:Citizenship: Candidates must be Indian citizens.Age Limit: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age.Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed their 10+2 education from a recognized board or university.Examination Process
The NDA Exam is conducted in two stages: a written examination and an interview by the Services Selection Board.Written Examination
The written examination consists of two papers: Mathematics and the General Ability Test. Both papers are objective type and are conducted on the same day. The Mathematics paper evaluates the candidates' mathematical aptitude, while the GAT paper assesses their English language proficiency, general knowledge, and reasoning abilities.Services Selection Board Interview
Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board interview. The SSB interview consists of various stages, including intelligence and personality tests, group discussions, psychological tests, and personal interviews.Administration
The NDA Exam is administered by the Union Public Service Commission, which is a constitutional body responsible for recruiting personnel for various government services and posts. The UPSC ensures the fair and transparent conduct of the examination process, including the release of notifications, application acceptance, examination schedules, result declaration, and the final selection of candidates.Seat Share
The NDA/NA Examination, conducted twice annually by the UPSC, is the primary gateway to becoming an officer in the Indian Armed Forces, immediately after Class 12. The two NDA/NA examinations conducted in a year are referred to as: -- NDA-I
- NDA-II
Each exam corresponds to a single course at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, or the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. Each exam typically ranges between 370 and 405 vacancies, depending on the manpower requirements projected by the Ministry of Defence. Collectively, this results in approximately 800 officer cadets entering the armed forces each year.