The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a tri-service institution that trains cadets of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force for commission into the armed forces. It is the first tri-service academy in the world. The NDA exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The exam is conducted for the selection of cadets for the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy. Candidates who qualify the exam are called for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. Those who qualify the SSB interview are selected for training at the NDA.
NDA Notification
The NDA exam is conducted twice a year by the UPSC in the months of April and November. The notification for the exam is released on the official website of UPSC in the form of a detailed advertisement which contains all the information related to the exam, such as eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, important dates, application process, etc.
NDA Important Dates
1. Apply Online Start Date: The online application process for the NDA exam starts two months before the exam date.
2. Apply Online Last Date: The last date for submission of the application form is one month before the exam date.
3. Apply Online Link: Candidates can apply for the NDA exam through the official website of UPSC.
4. Download Admit Card Date: The admit card for the exam will be released two weeks before the exam date.
5. Written Exam Dates: The written exam for the NDA will be conducted on the first Sunday of April and November every year.
6. Official Website Link: The official website of UPSC is www.upsc.gov.in.
NDA Exam Pattern
The NDA exam is conducted in two phases; the written exam and the SSB interview. The written exam is divided into two sections: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).
The Mathematics section consists of 120 multiple choice questions of Mathematics and the GAT section consists of 150 multiple choice questions of General Ability. The total duration of the written exam is two and half hours. The below table provides the details of the NDA exam pattern:
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 hours |
| GAT | 150 | 600 |
NDA Syllabus
The NDA syllabus is divided into two sections: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The syllabus for Mathematics includes topics such as Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Vector Algebra and Statistics and Probability.
The syllabus for the GAT section includes topics such as English, General Studies, Physics, Chemistry and General Science. The detailed syllabus for the NDA exam can be found on the official website of UPSC.
NDA What to read for exam
For the NDA exam, candidates should study the NCERT books for class 10th and 12th. Along with the NCERT books, candidates should also refer to the books prescribed by the UPSC for the NDA exam.
History Notes
History
Chapter 1. The Stone Age
Chapter 2. Indus Valley Civilisation
Chapter 3. The Vedic Age
Chapter 4. The First Territorial States
Chapter 5. Religious Movements of Mahajanapada Age
Chapter 6. The Mauryan Empire
Chapter 7. The Sangam Age
Chapter 8. Post-MauryanPeriod (200 BC-AD 300 )
Chapter 9. The Gupta Age (AD 320-500)
Chapter 10. The Post-Gupta Era (AD 550-750)
Chapter 11. The Sultanate of Delhi
Chapter 12. Provincial Kingdoms
Chapter 13. Religious Movements
Chapter 14. The Mughal Empire
Chapter 15. The Maratha Empire
Chapter 16. Mughal Decline and Rise of Regional States
Chapter 17. Emergence of European Powers in India
Chapter 18. Tribal and Peasant Uprisings
Chapter 19. Governor-Generals and Viceroys
Chapter 20. Development of Modern Education and Press
Chapter 21. Revolt of 1857
Chapter 22. Social and Religious Reform Movements
Chapter 23. Growth of Nationalism and Struggle for
Chapter 24. Struggle for Independence Second Phase (1919-1927 )
Chapter 25. Struggle for Independence Third Phase (1927-1939)
Chapter 26. Struggle for Independence Fourth Phase (1940-1947 )
Chapter 27. Religion and Philosophy
Chapter 28. Indian Architecture and Painting Schools
Chapter 29. Music, Dance, Theatre and Festivals
Geography Notes
Chapter 1. The Universe and the Solar System
Chapter 2. The Earth
Chapter 3. Interior of Earth
Chapter 4. Landforms
Chapter 5. Climatology
Chapter 6. Oceanography
Chapter 7. Biogeography
Chapter 8. Chapter eight Human Geography
Chapter 9. Economic Geography
Chapter 10. Continents
Chapter 11. India : Physical Aspects
Chapter 12. Indian Agriculture
Chapter 13. Resources
Chapter 14. Industrial Features of India
Chapter 15. Transport, Trade and Communication in India
Chapter 16. Urbanisation in India
Chapter 17. India Cultural Geography
Chapter 18. Ecology : Basic Concepts
Chapter 19. Environment
Chapter 20. Biodiversity and Its Conservation
Chapter 21. ’Climate Change
Chapter 22. Sustainable Development
Chapter 23. Disaster Management
Polity Notes
Chapter 1. Constitutional Development
Chapter 2. Salient Features of Indian Constitution
Chapter 3. The Preamble
Chapter 4. The Union and Its Territory
Chapter 5. Citizenship
Chapter 6. Fundamental Rights
Chapter 7. Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties
Chapter 8. Union Executive
Chapter 9. Parliament
Chapter 10. The Judiciary
Chapter 11. State Government
Chapter 12. Centre-State Relations
Chapter 13. Local Government
Chapter 14. Emergency Provisions
Chapter 15. Official Languages
Chapter 16. Public Service Commissions
Chapter 17. Elections
Chapter 18. Political Parties and Pressure Groups
Chapter 19. Scheduled and Tribal Areas
Chapter 20. Constitutional, Statutory, Non-Statutory Institutions
Chapter 21. Governance
Chapter 22. Public Policy in India
Chapter 23. Rights Issues in India
Chapter 24. Constitutional Provisions Regarding UTs, States with Special Status and Tribunals
Chapter 25. Amendment of the Constitution
Economy Notes
Chapter 1. Introduction to Economics
Chapter 2. National Income
Chapter 3. Economic Growth and Development
Chapter 4. Economic Planning in India
Chapter 5. Money and Banking
Chapter 6. Public Finance
Chapter 7. India’s Balance of Payments
Chapter 8. India’s Foreign Trade
Chapter 9. International Financial and Economic Organisation
Chapter 10. Inflation
Chapter 11. Demographic Profile of India
Chapter 12. Poverty and Unemployment
Chapter 13. Agriculture
Chapter 14. Indian Industry
Chapter 15. Services Sector
Chapter 16. Government Schemes and Programmes
General Science Notes
Chapter 1. Units and Measurement
Chapter 2. Kinematics
Chapter 3. Force
Chapter 4. Work, Energy and Power
Chapter 5. Gravitation
Chapter 6. General Properties of Matter
Chapter 7. Waves
Chapter 8. Heat
Chapter 9. Light
Chapter 10. Electricity
Chapter 11. Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Chapter 12. Matter and Its States Matter
Chapter 13. Gas Laws
Chapter 14. Atomic Structure
Chapter 15. Carbon and Its Compound
Chapter 16. Energy Resources
Chapter 17. Living Organisms
Chapter 18. Origin of Life
Chapter 19. Systems of Human Body
Chapter 20. Health and Diseases
Chapter 21. Plant Biology
Chapter 22. Agriculture
Chapter 23. Animal Husbandry
Chapter 24. Computer Introduction
Chapter 25. Networking
Chapter 26. Security Threats
NDA Previous Papers
Previous papers of the NDA exam are available on the official website of UPSC. Candidates can also download the previous papers from the UPSC website. Previous papers help candidates to get an idea about the exam pattern and the types of questions asked in the exam.
NDA Books
For the NDA exam, the best books for preparation are ‘Objective NDA Entrance Examination’ by Arihant Publications, ‘NDA Entrance Exam Solved Papers’ by RPH Editorial Board, ‘NDA Entrance Exam Guide’ by R Gupta’s and ‘NDA Entrance Exam Self Study Guide’ by Upkar Prakashan.
NDA Selection Process
The selection process for the NDA exam is divided into two phases: the written exam and the SSB interview.
1. Written Exam: The written exam is conducted by the UPSC in the months of April and November. Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the SSB interview.
2. SSB Interview: The SSB interview is conducted by the Service Selection Board. The SSB interview is a five-day process which includes various tests such as Psychological Aptitude Test, Group Testing Officer Tasks and Interview.
NDA Preparation Tips
1. Get Familiar with Exam Pattern: It is important for the candidates to understand the exam pattern and the syllabus of the exam.
2. Solve Previous Papers: Solving the previous papers of the NDA exam helps to understand the difficulty level of the exam and the types of questions asked in the exam.
3. Make Notes: Making notes while studying helps to revise the topics quickly.
4. Make a Time Table: Making a time table and following it helps to manage time efficiently.
5. Take Mock Tests: Taking mock tests helps to identify the weak areas and also helps to improve time management skills.
NDA Exam Analysis
The NDA exam is conducted twice a year by the UPSC. The exam is divided into two phases: the written exam and the SSB interview. The written exam consists of two sections: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).
The difficulty level of the exam varies from year to year. The questions asked in the exam are of moderate difficulty level. The Mathematics section is considered to be more difficult than the GAT section. The GAT section includes questions from English, General Studies, Physics, Chemistry and General Science.
NDA Eligibility
Candidates applying for the NDA exam must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
1. Age: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age as on the date of commencement of the course.
2. Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed 10+2 examination or its equivalent from a recognized board.
NDA How to apply Online?
Candidates can apply for the NDA exam online through the official website of UPSC. The steps to apply online are as follows:
1. Visit the official website of UPSC (www.upsc.gov.in).
2. Click on the link for ‘NDA Application Form’.
3. Register yourself by providing the required details.
4. Fill the application form and upload the necessary documents.
5. Pay the application fee.
6. Submit the application form.
7. Take a printout of the application form for future reference.
NDA Application Fees
The application fee for the NDA exam is Rs. 100. Candidates belonging to the SC/ST/Female categories are exempted from the application fee.
NDA Admit Card
The admit card for the NDA exam will be released two weeks before the exam date. Candidates can download the admit card from the official website of UPSC.
NDA Answer Key
The answer key for the NDA exam will be released on the official website of UPSC after the exam is conducted. Candidates can check the answer key to get an idea about their performance in the exam.
NDA Result
The result of the NDA exam will be released on the official website of UPSC after the written exam and the SSB interview. Candidates who qualify both the written exam and the SSB interview will be selected for training at the National Defence Academy.
NDA Cutoff
The cutoff marks for the NDA exam vary from year to year. The cutoff marks for the NDA exam are determined on the basis of the difficulty level of the exam, the number of candidates appearing for the exam, the number of candidates qualifying the exam, etc.
NDA Salary?
The salary of a cadet of the National Defence Academy is the same as that of a Lieutenant in the Indian Army. A Lieutenant in the Indian Army gets a salary of around Rs. 60,000 per month. Along with the salary, the cadets of the NDA also receive various allowances such as house rent allowance, food allowance, clothing allowance, etc.
NDA Exam FAQs
Q. What is the eligibility criteria for the NDA exam?
A. Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age as on the date of commencement of the course. Candidates must have passed 10+2 examination or its equivalent from a recognized board.
Q. When is the NDA exam conducted?
A. The NDA exam is conducted twice a year in the months of April and November.
Q. What is the selection process for the NDA exam?
A. The selection process for the NDA exam is divided into two phases: the written exam and the SSB interview. Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the SSB interview. Those who qualify the SSB interview are selected for training at the NDA.
Q. What is the salary of a cadet of the National Defence Academy?
A. A cadet of the National Defence Academy gets a salary of around Rs. 60,000 per month along with various allowances such as house rent allowance, food allowance, clothing allowance, etc.