The NDA exam, organized by the UPSC, selects qualified candidates for entry into the Army, Navy, and Air Force branches of the NDA, as well as for courses at the Indian Naval Academy. Both male and female candidates can apply for this exam.
Frequency- half-yearly
Mode- Pen and Paper
Exam Pattern
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) details the NDA exam pattern in its notification. The exam is conducted in a pen-and-paper format with objective-type questions. It consists of two papers: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT), comprising a total of 270 questions and 900 marks. Candidates must secure at least 25% in each paper. There is negative marking for incorrect answers.
Candidates who pass the written exam proceed to the SSB interview, which has two stages: the first includes OIR and PP & DT tests, and the second includes psychology tests and a conference. The SSB interview also carries 900 marks. To pass, candidates must meet the NDA cut-off marks set by the UPSC for both the written exam and the SSB interview.
Eligibility Criteria
The NDA entrance test is conducted twice annually, known as NDA-I and NDA-II. The first notification is released in January, with the exam in April, and the second notification is issued in June, with the exam in September. The NDA application form has two parts and candidates can apply online via the official UPSC website: http://www.upsconline.nic.in.
Applicants must be unmarried males or females and must be:
Note: Candidates from categories (ii), (iii), and (iv) must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India, except for Gorkha subjects of Nepal, who do not require this certificate.
Only unmarried male and female candidates aged 16½ to 19½ can apply for the NDA.
Note: Candidates currently in the 12th grade under the 10+2 pattern or equivalent can also apply.
Candidates must meet the physical and mental fitness standards outlined in the notification. They must be in good health, free from diseases, syndromes, or disabilities that could hinder military duties in diverse and challenging environments. They should not have medical conditions requiring frequent medical visits or the use of aids or drugs.
Candidates who have resigned or withdrawn from any Armed Forces training academies on disciplinary grounds are ineligible to apply.
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