🇮🇳 NDA Exam: Complete Guide for Aspiring Defence Officers
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is one of the most prestigious competitive exams in India. Conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the exam offers a golden opportunity for young aspirants to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force as officers.
If you're dreaming of wearing the uniform and serving the nation, here’s everything you need to know about the NDA exam—from eligibility and exam pattern to syllabus and selection process.
Let us tell you that the admit cards of the candidates will be issued about 20 days before the UPSC NDA examination. It is mandatory to bring the admit card at the time of examination; without the admit card you will not be able to take the exam. To know about the important dates related to NDA 2021, you can see the table below.
🪖 NDA Vacancies (Approximate Distribution)
Wing No. of Posts Indian Army 200+ Indian Navy 40–50 Indian Air Force 100–120 Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) 40–50 Total Around 400–450
| Wing | No. of Posts |
|---|---|
| Indian Army | 200+ |
| Indian Navy | 40–50 |
| Indian Air Force | 100–120 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) | 40–50 |
| Total | Around 400–450 |
✅ NDA Eligibility Criteria
1. Nationality
You must be:
- A citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Bhutan/Nepal, OR
- A Tibetan refugee (who came to India before 1st January 1962), OR
- An Indian-origin person migrated from select countries with intent to permanently settle in India.
2. Gender & Marital Status
- Only unmarried male and female candidates can apply.
3. Age Limit
- Between 16.5 and 19.5 years.
- You must be born within the date range specified in the official notification.
4. Educational Qualification
- For Army Wing: Passed or appearing in 12th standard from any stream.
- For Air Force & Navy: 12th with Physics and Mathematics.
5. Physical Standards
- Must be physically and mentally fit as per NDA guidelines.
- Minimum height: 157 cm (relaxation for certain regions).
📝 How to Apply for NDA
- Visit the official UPSC portal: www.upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in
- Register yourself and fill out the NDA application form.
- Pay the application fee:
- ₹100 for General/OBC
- Free for SC/ST/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs
- Payment modes: Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or offline via SBI Bank.
🎫 NDA Admit Card
- Admit cards are released 2–3 weeks before the exam.
- You must download it from the official website.
- Entry into the exam hall is strictly not allowed without the admit card.
The result of the examination of NDA I and NDA II conducted by the Union Public Service Commission i.e. UPSC across the country gets declared in May and November. NDA Result will be declared on UPSC's official website upsconline.nic.in. All the candidates who pass the NDA examination will be called for SSB. Students will be given admission to the National Defense Academy and Naval Academy through the exam. This is an All India Level exam.
✍️ NDA Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 2.5 hours | 300 |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 2.5 hours | 600 |
| Total | 5 hours | 900 |
Key Points:
- Mode: Offline (Pen & Paper)
- Question Type: Multiple Choice
- Language: English & Hindi (except English section)
- Negative marking applies to wrong answers.
📚 NDA Syllabus Overview
🔢 Mathematics
- Algebra
- Matrices & Determinants
- Trigonometry
- Coordinate Geometry (2D & 3D)
- Calculus (Differential & Integral)
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics & Probability
🌍 General Ability Test (GAT)
Part A – English
- Grammar and Usage
- Vocabulary
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Structure
Part B – General Knowledge
Covers:
- Physics: Laws of motion, electricity, sound, heat, optics, etc.
- Chemistry: Elements, compounds, chemical reactions, acids & bases, etc.
- General Science: Human body, cells, nutrition, diseases, etc.
- History: Indian freedom movement, Constitution, revolutions, world history.
- Geography: Earth structure, climate, natural resources, maps.
- Current Affairs: Recent events, sports, important personalities, and more.
For Physics
- Physical properties and states of substances
- The collective Weight Density and specific gravity
- Archimedes' Principles
- Pressure, barometer
- Motion of goods
- Velocity and acceleration
- Newton's Laws of Motion
- Force and Momentum
- Parallel program of forces
- Body stability and balance
- Gravity
- The primary idea of work
- Electricity and energy
- Heat effect
- Measurement of temperature and heat
- State and latent heat change
- Heat transfer mode
- Sound waves and their properties
- Simple musical instruments
- Light's retinue publicity
- Reflection and refraction
- Spherical Mirrors and Lenses
- Human eye
- Natural and artificial magnets
- Property of a magnet
- The Earth as a magnet
- Static and current
- Conductors and non-conductors
- Ohm's law
- Simple electrical circuit
- Thermal, Light and Magnetic Effects of Current
- Measurement of electrical power
- Primary and Secondary Room
- Using x-rays
- General principles in the work of the following: simple pulley, simple pendulum, lever, siphon, balloon, pumps, hydrometer, thermos flask, pressure cooker, gramophone, telegraph, telephone, periscope, telescope, microscope, mariner compass
- Lightning conductors, safety fuses
For Chemistry
- Physical and chemical changes
- The elements
- Mix and compound
- Symbols, formulas and simple chemical equations
- Chemical Combination Method (Excluding Problems)
- Properties of air and water
- Preparation & Properties of hydrogen, oxygen, CO2 and nitrogen; oxidation and reduction.
- Acids, bases and salts are carbon-different forms
- Fertilisers - Natural and Artificial
- Materials used in the preparation of substances such as soap, glass, ink, paper, cement, paints, safety matches and gunpowder
- The primary idea about Atom structure
- Atomic equivalent and molecular weight
- Valency
For general science
- Difference between living and non-living
- The basis of life-cells, proplasms and tissues
- Growth and reproduction in plants and animals
- Primary knowledge of the human body & its vital organs
- Common Epidemics, their causes and prevention
- Source of energy for humans
- Food ingredient
- balanced diet
- Solar System - Inverted and Comet, Eclipse and Major Scientists' Achievements
For history, freedom movement, etc.
- A comprehensive survey of Indian history with an emphasis on culture and civilisation
- Independence movement in India
- Primary Study of the Indian Constitution and Administration
- Primary knowledge of the Five-Year Plans of India
- Panchayati Raj
- Cooperatives and Community Development
- Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State
- Basic teachings of Mahatma Gandhi
- Forces shaping the modern world: Renaissance
- Exploration & discovery- French Revolution, American Independence War, Industrial Revolution and Russian Revolution
- Impact of Science and Technology on Society
- Concept of one world
- United Nations, Panchsheel, Democracy, Socialism and Communism
- India's role in the present world
For Geography
- Earth, its size and shape
- Latitude and longitude
- Concept of time
- International Date Line
- Earth Moves and Their Impact
- Earth's origin rocks and their classification
- Meteorological and chemical, earthquakes and volcanoes
- Ocean currents and tidal atmospheres and their structure
- Temperature & atmospheric pressure, cyclones, planetary winds and ellipses
- Humidity, Condensation, and Rain
- Types of climate
- Major Natural Areas of the World
- Indo-regional geography-climate, and natural vegetation. Mineral and Energy Resources; Location and distribution of agricultural and industrial activities
- Important seaports & Important sea, land and airways of India
- India's main items of import and export
For Current Events
- Information on important events in India in recent years
- Current important world events
- Important individuals - both Indian and international- who are associated with cultural activities and sports.
🎯 NDA Selection Process
The selection happens in two stages:
1. Written Exam (by UPSC)
- Must clear the NDA written exam with required cutoff marks.
2. SSB Interview (by Defence Services)
- Intelligence & Personality Test
- Group Activities & Psychological Tests
- Personal Interview
- Physical & Medical Examination
📜 Final Merit List
- Based on marks in the written test and SSB interview.
- Selected candidates are admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA) or Naval Academy (NA) for training.
Students who pass the written test are called for the SSB Interview Round, there are many tests, like physical test, aptitude test, group discussion and personal interview, etc. On the basis of these, students are selected for various armies of India in the National Defence Academy. Based on their final merit, they will get their posts and will be sent for further training.
📢 NDA Results
- Results are declared on UPSC's official site: www.upsc.gov.in
- Written exam results are released in a PDF format (roll numbers).
- Only qualified candidates are invited for the SSB interview.
- Final selection is based on SSB performance + medical fitness + overall merit.
🇮🇳 Why Choose NDA?
Joining NDA is not just a career choice—it’s a lifestyle of pride, discipline, and service to the nation. You’ll be trained to lead, defend, and make a real difference. Plus, you get:
- A respectful & secure government job
- Leadership and life skills
- World-class military training
- Opportunity to serve in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force
🔗 Useful Links
- UPSC Official Website: www.upsc.gov.in
- NDA Online Forms & Admit Cards: upsconline.nic.in
🚀 Ready to Start Your NDA Journey?
If you’re passionate about protecting the nation and becoming a leader, NDA is your gateway. Start preparing early, stay consistent, and aim high!
