NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY
The National Defence Academy (NDA) admits students to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings through an entrance examination held twice a year, generally in the months of April and November (as per the latest change, earlier it was September). This examination is conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission).
Age and marital status:
A candidate must be an unmarried male not below 16½ years and above 19½ years on the first day of the month in which the course is commencing.
Age Limit for:
NDA (II) 2019: 02nd January, 2001 to 1st January, 2004
NDA (I) 2020: 02nd July, 2001 to 1st July, 2004
Educational Qualifications:
- For Army Wing of National Defence Academy: Must have successfully completed Class XII in the 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent examination conducted by a State education board or a university.
- For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and Naval Academy:Must have passed Class 12 of the 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics conducted by a State education board or a university. Candidates currently in Class XII in the 10 + 2 pattern of school education, or equivalent examination, can also apply.
- Note: Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination can also apply for this examination.
Plan of the Examination:
The examination is divided into two Phases
(i) Written examination and
(ii) SSB Interview
WRITTEN EXAMINATION PATTERN
| Subject | Duration | Marks | |
| 1. | Mathematics | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| 2. | General Ability Test (English, GK and Science) | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| Total | 900 | ||
SSB INTERVIEW
After clearing the writing exam, the successful candidates are called for SSB Interview at the Service Selection Board. It is a five days interview procedure.
Day Zero : Day of Reporting
- Reception
- Opening address
- Filling up of PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire) form
- Filling in the personal particulars in forms supplied by SSB
- Grouping of candidates and allotment of chest numbers
Day First : Screening Test
- Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR)
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)
Day Second : Psychologial Tests and Interview
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
- Word Association Test (WAT)
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
- Self-Description Test (SDT)
- Interview of some candidates by President/Deputy President
Day Third : GTO Tasks and Interview
- Group Discussions (GD)
- Group Planning Exercise (GPE)
- Progressive Group Task (PGT)
- Group Obstacle Race /Snake Race (GOR)
- Half Group Task (HGT)
- Interview of some candidates by President/Deputy President
Day Fourth : GTO Tasks and Interview