What is the NDA Exam?
NDA stands for National Defence Academy. The NDA & Naval Academy Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year. It serves as the gateway for young aspirants aiming for a prestigious career in the Indian Armed Forces.
This exam provides direct entry into:
Indian Army
Indian Navy
Indian Air Force
10+2 Cadet Entry (INA)
Selection Process At A Glance
1
Written Exam
Mathematics & GAT (900 Marks)
2
SSB Interview
Intelligence & Personality (900 Marks)
3
Medical Exam
Fitness Assessment
4
Final Merit List
Academy Joining Call
NDA Eligibility Criteria
1. Nationality
A candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India (subject to Government eligibility certificate rules).
2. Age Limit & Marital Status
Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
Important Date of Birth Note:
NDA age eligibility is specified by an exact Date of Birth (DOB) range in each official UPSC notification (typically 16.5 to 19.5 years). Candidates should always verify their DOB against the specific exam notification.
3. Educational Qualification
| Defence Wing | Required Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Indian Army Wing | Passed Class 12th (10+2) pattern or equivalent examination from a recognized State Board or University. |
| Indian Navy Wing | Passed Class 12th (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). |
| Indian Air Force Wing | Passed Class 12th (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). |
| 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme (INA) | Passed Class 12th under 10+2 pattern with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). |
NDA Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
The written examination consists of two objective-type papers followed by the SSB Interview.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 120 Qs | 300 Marks | 2.5 Hours | -0.83 Mark |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 Qs | 600 Marks | 2.5 Hours | -1.33 Mark |
| Written Exam Total | 270 Qs | 900 Marks | 5.0 Hours | -- | |
| SSB Interview / Personality Test | 900 Marks | 5 Days Process | -- | ||
| GRAND TOTAL MARKS | 1800 Marks | Final Selection Stage | |||
Detailed NDA Exam Syllabus
Paper 1: Mathematics 300 Marks
- Algebra: Sets, Venn diagrams, Complex numbers, AP/GP/HP, Quadratic equations, Permutations & Combinations, Binomial theorem, Logarithms.
- Matrices & Determinants: Operations, Adjoint & Inverse, Cramer’s Rule, Matrix Method.
- Trigonometry: Ratios, Identities, Inverse functions, Heights & Distances, Properties of triangles.
- Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D): Straight lines, Circles, Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola, Direction Cosines, Spheres.
- Differential Calculus: Limits, Continuity, Derivatives, Tangents & Normals, Maxima & Minima.
- Integral Calculus & Differential Equations: Definite & Indefinite integrals, Area under curves, First-order equations.
- Vector Algebra: Vector products (Dot & Cross), Work done, Moment of force.
- Statistics & Probability: Mean, Median, Variance, Bayes' Theorem, Random variables, Binomial distribution.
Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) 600 Marks
The GAT Paper is divided into two distinct parts:
Part A: English (200 Marks / 50 Qs)
- Spotting Errors & Sentence Improvement
- Reading Comprehension
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Idioms & Phrases
- Para Jumbles (Ordering of Words)
- Fill in the Blanks / Cloze Test
Part B: General Knowledge (400 Marks / 100 Qs)
- Physics & Chemistry (Basic Concepts)
- General Science / Biology
- History, Freedom Movement & Indian Polity
- Geography (World & India)
- Current Affairs & Recent Events