NDA 2025
Join the Indian Army, Navy or Air Force โ the most elite service academies
Conducted by: UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
๐ง Turn your NDA books & PDFs into smart notes โ build a daily study habit and grow day by day.
Start FreeWhat is NDA?
National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and Indian Naval Academy (INA) course. It is the most prestigious route to joining the Indian Armed Forces as an officer directly after Class 12. After written selection, candidates undergo a gruelling SSB (Services Selection Board) interview process. NDA graduates go on to become Commissioned Officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Eligibility Criteria
| Education | Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent. For Army: any stream. For Air Force/Navy: Physics and Mathematics mandatory. |
| Age Limit | 16.5 to 19.5 years at the time of commencement of the course. |
| Attempts | Unmarried male candidates only (females eligible for NDA from 2022 batch onwards as per Supreme Court order). |
Exam Pattern
Selection Stages
- 1Written Examination (NDA)
- 2SSB Interview (5 days)
- 3Medical Examination
Total Marks
Written: 900 marks (Maths 300 + GAT 600) | SSB: 900 marks
Duration
Maths Paper: 2.5 hours | GAT Paper: 2.5 hours
Mode
Offline (Pen and Paper)
Negative Marking
Yes โ incorrect answers carry a penalty
NDA Syllabus
Mathematics
- Algebra (Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Matrices)
- Trigonometry (Identities, Heights & Distances)
- Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D)
- Differential & Integral Calculus
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics & Probability
General Ability Test โ English
- Grammar & Usage
- Vocabulary, Comprehension
- Sentence Structure & Composition
- Antonyms, Synonyms, Idioms
General Ability Test โ General Knowledge
- Physics (Motion, Sound, Heat, Optics, Electricity)
- Chemistry (Properties of Matter, Chemical Reactions)
- General Science (Biology & Everyday Science)
- History (Indian Freedom Movement, World Wars)
- Geography (India & World Physical Geography)
- Current Events (National & International)
Key Facts About NDA
- Conducted twice a year โ NDA I (April) and NDA II (September)
- ~4โ6 lakh candidates appear; only ~450 seats per course
- Negative marking: 1/3rd of marks deducted for wrong answers
- SSB Interview is 5-day residential process (Psychological + Physical)
- Training duration: 3 years at NDA (Pune) + 1 year at respective service academy
- Age limit is strictly enforced โ 16.5 to 19.5 years at course commencement
Build Your Foundation with NCERT
Most competitive exams are based on NCERT textbooks. The following NCERT subjects form the core foundation for NDA 2025 preparation:
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