NDA: The Most Prestigious Entry into Defence Forces
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces where cadets of Army, Navy, and Air Force train together before going to their respective service academies. It's the youngest entry point — you can join right after 12th class.
NDA Eligibility 2026
📸 Illustration — Defence- Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years
- Education: 12th pass (or appearing) from any recognized board
- For Air Force & Navy: 12th with Physics & Maths compulsory
- Gender: Both male and female candidates (women allowed since 2022)
- Physical: Minimum height 157 cm (men), good eyesight
Exam Pattern
NDA exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year (April & September). It has two papers:
- Paper I — Mathematics: 120 questions, 300 marks, 2.5 hours. Topics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics, Geometry.
- Paper II — General Ability Test: 150 questions, 600 marks, 2.5 hours. Part A: English (200 marks). Part B: General Knowledge (400 marks) — Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Current Affairs.
SSB Interview Process
📸 Illustration — DefenceAfter clearing the written exam, you face the 5-day SSB Interview — the toughest personality assessment in India:
- Stage 1 (Day 1): Officer Intelligence Rating + Picture Perception & Discussion Test. About 50–60% are screened out here.
- Stage 2 (Day 2–5): Psychological Tests, Group Tasks (GD, GPE, PGT, HGT, Command Task), Personal Interview, and Conference.
Life at NDA, Khadakwasla
NDA is located near Pune, Maharashtra. It's a 3-year training program:
- Academic education (B.Sc. / B.A. / B.Sc. Computer Science from JNU)
- Military training — weapons, drills, adventure activities
- Sports — horse riding, swimming, boxing, cross-country
- Monthly stipend of ₹56,100 (as a cadet)
Preparation Tips for NDA 2026
- Mathematics: NCERT Class 11–12 + R.S. Aggarwal. Practice 20 problems daily.
- English: Read newspapers daily. Practice grammar from Wren & Martin.
- General Knowledge: NCERTs for Science & Social Studies. Lucent's GK for static portion.
- Mock Tests: Take at least 2 full-length mocks per week in the last 2 months.
- Physical Fitness: Start running 5 km daily. Practice push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups.
NDA is not just an exam — it's a life-changing experience. Start your preparation with NaukriYatra today! 💪