The National Defence Academy Examination (NDA) is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for selecting candidates for admission to the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune. The NDA is the Joint Services Academy of the Indian Armed Forces, imparting military training to future officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Who can take the NDA Exam?
- Unmarried male candidates who have cleared Class 12 or are appearing in the Class 12 examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education or any other equivalent examining body.
- The age of the candidates must be between 16 years 6 months and 19 years 6 months at the time of the commencement of the second part of the NDA Examination.
What is the Exam Pattern?
The NDA Exam consists of two parts:
- Written Examination:
- Conducted in offline mode.
- Comprises two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT), each of 300 marks.
- The Mathematics paper consists of objective type questions on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration and Statistics.
- The GAT paper is divided into four sections: English, General Knowledge, History and Geography, and Physics and Chemistry.
- Personality Test:
- Conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB) for shortlisted candidates.
- Assesses the candidate’s officer-like qualities, including leadership, communication skills, teamwork, and intelligence.
How to Prepare for the NDA Exam?
- Start early: Start your preparation well in advance, ideally at least a year before the exam.
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern: Thoroughly understand the syllabus and exam pattern for both the written examination and the SSB interview.
- Choose the right study material: Choose good quality study material, including NCERT textbooks, reference books, and practice tests.
- Join a coaching institute: Consider joining a coaching institute that can provide you with guidance and support in your preparation.
- Practice regularly: Solve practice tests and previous year question papers regularly to improve your speed and accuracy.
- Focus on physical fitness: Maintain a good level of physical fitness, as this is an important part of the SSB interview.
Benefits of Joining the NDA:
- Prestigious career: The NDA offers a prestigious career in the Indian Armed Forces.
- Job security: Officers in the Armed Forces have high job security and good career prospects.
- Good salary and benefits: Officers in the Armed Forces receive a good salary and benefits package, including housing, healthcare, and educational allowances.
- Adventure and travel: Officers in the Armed Forces get to experience adventure and travel to different parts of the country and the world.
- Serving the nation: Joining the NDA provides an opportunity to serve the nation and contribute to its security.
If you are passionate about serving the nation and have the qualities of a leader, then the NDA is a great option for you. Start your preparation today and make your dream of joining the Indian Armed Forces a reality!
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- UPSC website: https://upsc.gov.in/
- NDA website: https://nda.nic.in/