UPSC NDA Recruitment: Check eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus, and application process for National Defence Academy & Naval Academy officer posts. Apply now!
Conducted by: UPSC
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination twice a year to recruit eligible male and female candidates for officer roles in the prestigious Indian Armed Forces after completing their 10+2 education. This examination serves as a gateway for young individuals to embark on a challenging and rewarding career in national service, instilling qualities of leadership, discipline, and patriotism. Typically, the UPSC releases notifications for NDA (I) and NDA (II) each year, with approximately 400 vacancies announced per notification, though the exact numbers may vary. These vacancies are distributed across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). Candidates who successfully clear the written examination proceed to the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, followed by a medical examination. Upon selection, cadets undergo rigorous training for three years at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune. After successful completion of the NDA program, they proceed to their respective service academies – Indian Military Academy (IMA) for Army, Indian Naval Academy (INA) for Navy, and Air Force Academy (AFA) for Air Force – for pre-commission training. Subsequently, they are commissioned as officers (e.g., Lieutenant in the Army, Sub-Lieutenant in the Navy, Flying Officer in the Air Force), beginning a distinguished career path marked by opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and serving the nation with honour.
Age Limit: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age at the time of joining the respective training academies. (UPSC provides specific date ranges in each notification, e.g., 'born not earlier than X and not later than Y'). Educational Qualification: For Army Wing of National Defence Academy: 12th Class pass (10+2 pattern) or equivalent examination from a recognized Board. For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: 12th Class pass (10+2 pattern) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from a recognized Board. Candidates appearing in the 12th Class or equivalent examination are also eligible to apply. Nationality: A citizen of India, or A subject of Nepal, or A subject of Bhutan, or A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible. Marriage during training is strictly prohibited. Physical Standards: Candidates must meet the prescribed physical and medical standards specified by the Ministry of Defence. Attempts: There is no official limit on the number of attempts for the NDA exam; however, candidates are limited by the age criteria.
| Stage | Type | Duration | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination - Paper I: Mathematics | MCQ | 2.5 hours | Mathematics | 300 |
| Written Examination - Paper II: General Ability Test (GAT) | MCQ | 2.5 hours | English, General Knowledge (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events) | 600 |
| SSB Interview & Medical Test | Two-Stage Selection Process (Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) & Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT); Stage II: Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks, Personal Interview, Conference, Medical Examination) | 4-5 days (for Stage II) | Personality, Intelligence, Leadership Qualities, Communication Skills | 900 |
Visit the Official UPSC Website: Go to the Union Public Service Commission's official website (upsc.gov.in). One-Time Registration (OTR): All new applicants must first register through the One-Time Registration (OTR) portal on the UPSC website by providing basic personal details. This step needs to be done only once. Fill the Application Form: Log in with your OTR credentials and navigate to the 'Online Application for Various Examinations' section. Select the NDA examination link. Complete Part-I Registration: Fill in personal, educational, and communication details. Select the desired examination center. Complete Part-II Registration: Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-sized photograph, signature, and a photo identity card proof in the specified format and size. Pay the Application Fee: Pay the requisite application fee online (typically Rs. 100 for General/OBC male candidates). Female/SC/ST candidates are usually exempted from fee payment. Review and Submit: Carefully review all entered details before final submission. Print Confirmation: After successful submission, a confirmation page will be generated. Download and print this page for your records.
The NDA examination is conducted twice a year by UPSC, typically known as NDA (I) and NDA (II).
Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age at the time of joining the training academies. Exact date ranges are specified in each notification.
Yes, both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the NDA examination, subject to fulfilling all other eligibility criteria.
For the Army wing, candidates need to be 12th pass. For the Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry), candidates must be 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Yes, there is negative marking for incorrect answers in both the Mathematics and General Ability Test papers.
The SSB interview is a multi-day (4-5 days) comprehensive assessment process that evaluates a candidate's personality, intelligence, leadership qualities, and suitability through various psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews.
Yes, candidates must meet stringent physical and medical standards prescribed by the Ministry of Defence. Specific requirements related to height, weight, vision, and general health are detailed in the official notification.