NDA is an abbreviation of National Defence Academy and it is the only reference for the candidates who have passed the 12th/ Intermediate or equivalent examination from an authenticated board and want to join the Indian Defence Services as an officer. NDA exam is an entrance test and conducted by the UPSC – Union Public Service Commission. The departments manage the examination twice in a year and offer limited seats every time. After directing the written test successfully, the UPSC regulates the SSB interview which is maintained by the Services Selection Board. About 4,50,000 applicants sit for each written exam. Typically, about 6,300 of these are invited to interview.
Selection Procedure For The Exam
There is a fixed selection procedure for NDA exam since a long ago. At first, there will be a written examination which will be followed by the interview of five days. To appear in the second stage, aspirants have to pass the written examination first which holds the following pattern:
- Section: The exam will consist of two sections like Mathematics and General Ability Test.
- Type of Question: There will be objective type questions asked in the examination.
- Language: The question paper will be asked in bilingual, i.e. English & Hindi only.
- Exam Mode: The NDA exam will be conducted in pen and paper-based mode.
- Negative Marking: There will be negative marking done for wrong answers.
- Exam Duration: Two and half hour duration will be given for Code 1 and Code 2.
The final selection of the candidates will be based on the merit list created by the officials on the basis of the candidate’s performance in both of the levels.
SSB Interview
The SSB interview round will be conducted in two stages over five days. Stage 1 will comprise of OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) and PP & DT (Picture Perception & Description Test). Stage 2 will have Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO Tasks), Psychology Tests, Interview & Conference. After the final results, contestants will be called for National Defence Academy where cadets of all the branches – Indian Army, Navy & Air Force will be trained together.
NDA Eligibility Criteria
Before the submission of NDA application form 2018, a candidate must be eligible: check the criteria out.
Age Limit: NDA Exam Age Limit for 2018: students must have born between 2nd July 1999 to 1st July 2002. Only unmarried male candidates can apply for the examination.
Nationality: Candidates must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, a subject of Bhutan or An Indian origin person who has migrated from Burma, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and East African Countries of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zaire, Malawi and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. A Tibetan refugee who came over to India with the intention of permanently settling in India before the 1st January 1962.