The National Defence Academy (NDA), situated at Khadakwasla near Pune, Maharashtra, is the world's first tri-service military training academy. It trains officer cadets of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force together before they proceed to their respective service pre-commissioning academies.
Recruitment is conducted bi-annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) through the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA & NA) Examination.
The Role of UPSC & Tri-Service Structure
UPSC is responsible for the preliminary screening through a nationwide written examination. Candidates select their service wing preferences upon application:
- Army Wing: Land-based warfare and combat arms.
- Air Force Wing: Flying Branch (Pilots), Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical).
- Navy & Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme): Surface warfare, submarine, naval aviation, and executive marine engineering branches.
Cadets train together for three years at NDA, earning a Bachelor's Degree (B.Sc., B.A., or B.Tech from Jawaharlal Nehru University - JNU) while mastering physical conditioning, military tactics, weapon handling, and leadership.
Broad Eligibility Summary
- Age Limit: Must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years during the course commencement date.
- Marital Status: Strictly unmarried male and female candidates.
- Educational Prerequisites:
- For Army Wing: 12th Class pass (10+2 pattern) in any academic stream (Arts, Science, Commerce).
- For Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
- Female Candidates: Following landmark Supreme Court rulings and government notifications, female candidates are fully eligible to apply for all wings of the NDA on equal terms.
Written Examination Pattern (900 Marks)
The UPSC NDA written exam consists of two objective papers conducted on a single day:
| Paper | Subject Scope | Questions & Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (Code 01) | Algebra, Trigonometry, Matrices, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Statistics, Probability (11th & 12th level) | 120 Qs / 300 Marks | 2.5 Hours | 0.83 marks deducted per incorrect answer |
| General Ability Test - GAT (Code 02) | Part A: English Language (200 Marks) Part B: General Knowledge: Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events (400 Marks) | 150 Qs / 600 Marks | 2.5 Hours | 1.33 marks deducted per incorrect answer |
| Total Written | Maths + GAT Combined | 270 Qs / 900 Marks | 5.0 Hours | 1/3rd Penalty |
Candidates must achieve a minimum qualifying score (typically 25% to 30%) in each individual paper, in addition to clearing the aggregate written cut-off (usually around 330–360 marks out of 900).
The Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview (900 Marks)
Candidates qualifying the written examination appear before an Army, Navy, or Air Force Selection Board for a rigorous 5-day assessment:
- Stage I (Day 1 - Screening): Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT). Screened-out candidates return home the same afternoon.
- Stage II (Days 2 to 5):
- Psychological Tests: Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self Description (SD).
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks: Group Discussion, Military Planning Exercise, Progressive Group Tasks (PGT), Half Group Tasks (HGT), Command Tasks, and Individual Obstacles.
- Personal Interview: Conducted by the Board President or senior interviewing officer.
- Final Board Conference: Consolidated assessment; recommendation announcement.
Medical Examination & Pre-Commissioning Training
Recommended candidates undergo a comprehensive medical examination at designated military command hospitals:
- General Health: Spine scans, cardiovascular fitness, ENT evaluation, carrying angle, and dental points (minimum 14 dental points).
- Vision Standards: Uncorrected and corrected acuity; Air Force flying branch candidates must pass the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) and strict refractive tests.
Training Roadmap:
- Years 1 to 3: Tri-service academic and military foundation at NDA Khadakwasla.
- Year 4: Final pre-commissioning specialized training:
- Army Cadets → Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
- Navy Cadets → Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
- Air Force Cadets → Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal (Hyderabad)
- Commissioning: Passing out as Lieutenant (Army), Sub-Lieutenant (Navy), or Flying Officer (Air Force) at Pay Level 10 (Basic Pay ₹56,100 + Military Service Pay ₹15,500).
Read our detailed companion guide on NDA Eligibility Criteria and Defence Physical & Medical Standards.