Back to NDA

NDA — National Defence Academy — Step-by-Step Roadmap

Your journey, phase by phase

  1. Phase 1 · Class 11–12 Class 11–12 subject choice Choose PCM for Air Force and Navy wings; any stream for the Army wing.
    • Army wing: Class 12 pass in any stream.
    • Air Force and Naval wings (and 10+2 Cadet Entry): Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics.
    • Unmarried men and women can apply for NDA (women are admitted since the recent reforms).
    • Age: candidates should be between about 16.5 and 19.5 years at the time of the course.
    Army
    Any stream
    Air Force / Navy
    PCM (Phy + Maths)
  2. Phase 2 · Two exams a year (about April and September) Written exam UPSC NDA & NA examination: Mathematics and General Ability Test.
    • Apply online on the UPSC site when the notification is released.
    • Mathematics paper: 300 marks, 120 questions in 2.5 hours.
    • General Ability Test: 600 marks (English 200 and General Knowledge 400), 150 questions in 2.5 hours.
    • There is negative marking for wrong answers, and candidates need to clear sectional and aggregate cut-offs.
    Maths
    300 marks
    GAT
    600 marks
    Negative marking
    Yes
  3. Phase 3 · After written result SSB interview A five-day Services Selection Board assessment.
    • Stage 1 (screening): Officer Intelligence Rating test and Picture Perception and Description test.
    • Stage 2: psychological tests, Group Testing Officer tasks, personal interview and conference.
    • The SSB carries 900 marks; it tests officer-like qualities such as leadership, courage and teamwork.
    • Fitness, communication and honest self-awareness matter as much as knowledge.
    SSB
    5 days, 900 marks
  4. Phase 4 · After SSB Medical examination and merit list Recommended candidates undergo a medical test before the final merit list.
    • Medical standards apply to eyesight, height, weight and general health.
    • Final merit list is formed from written exam and SSB marks.
    • Candidates join the academy based on merit and vacancies in Army, Navy and Air Force.
    • Keep your fitness and eyesight in check from Class 11.
    Final merit
    Written + SSB + medical
  5. Phase 5 · After joining Training at NDA and service academies Three years at NDA Khadakwasla, then one year at a service academy.
    • Cadets study for a degree (BSc, BA or B.Tech) under JNU while receiving military and physical training.
    • After three years at NDA, Army cadets go to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun; Navy cadets to the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala; Air Force cadets to the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.
    • Training includes drill, field exercises, leadership and service-specific skills.
    • Cadets are paid a stipend during training.
    NDA
    3 years
    Service academy
    ~1 year
  6. Phase 6 · After training Commission as an officer Passing out and commission as Lieutenant, Sub-Lieutenant or Flying Officer.
    • After the passing-out parade you are commissioned as an officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force.
    • You serve in operational, technical or administrative branches depending on your service.
    • Promotion follows rank, performance and exams.
    • The career also offers opportunities for higher courses and specialisations.
    Commission
    Lieutenant / Sub-Lt / Flying Officer

Verify on the official source

Exam dates, fees, paper patterns and eligibility rules are revised by the regulator from time to time. Treat this roadmap as your map, and confirm the current rules on the official site before you register or pay any fee.

UPSCJoin Indian Army Full NDA career guide