UPSC NDA & NA
Union Public Service Commission — National Defence Academy & Naval Academy
UPSC National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA)
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, commonly known as the NDA & NA Exam, is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice every year. It is the gateway for young men and women to join the officer cadre of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force immediately after Class 12. Selected candidates undergo three years of training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune, or four years under the 10+2 Cadet Entry scheme at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Kerala, after which they move to their respective service academies for pre-commission training.
The two cycles held in a calendar year are referred to as NDA & NA (I) (notification usually released in December, written exam around April) and NDA & NA (II) (notification usually released in May, written exam around September). Candidates are selected through a written examination followed by a five-day interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB) and a medical examination. Since the Supreme Court order of August 2021, female candidates are also eligible to appear for the NDA examination, and women cadets began graduating from the academy in 2025.
Overview / Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Level | National level (Class 12 entry) |
| Exam Mode | Offline / Pen-and-paper (OMR-based) |
| Medium | English and Hindi |
| Frequency | Twice a year — NDA & NA (I) and NDA & NA (II) |
| Selection Stages | Written Exam, then SSB Interview, then Medical Examination |
| Number of Written Papers | Two papers — Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Negative Marking | Yes — 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question is deducted for each wrong answer |
| Official Website | https://www.upsc.gov.in |
Selection Process
The selection process for NDA & NA consists of the following stages. Candidates must clear each stage to proceed to the next.
- Stage 1 — Written Examination: Conducted by UPSC in offline mode. It consists of the Mathematics paper (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600 marks), held on the same day. The written examination is only a qualifying-cum-merit filter; marks are counted in the final merit list.
- Stage 2 — SSB Interview: Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for a five-day interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB) at various centres across the country. It carries 900 marks.
- Stage 3 — Medical Examination: Candidates recommended by the SSB are medically examined at authorised military hospitals. Final recommendations are made only after the candidate is declared medically fit. Air Force pilot candidates also undergo the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS).
- Stage 4 — Final Merit List: Prepared by UPSC on the basis of the written examination marks (900) and SSB interview marks (900), totalling 1800 marks, subject to medical fitness.
Exam Pattern
The written examination consists of two papers, both of which are objective (multiple-choice) type and conducted on the same day in two shifts.
| Paper | Subject / Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2½ hours |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2½ hours |
| — | GAT Part A — English | 50 | 200 | — |
| — | GAT Part B — General Knowledge | 100 | 400 | — |
Important notes: For every wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question is deducted (e.g., for a question carrying 4 marks, about 1.33 marks are deducted). No marks are deducted for unanswered questions. Candidates are advised to attempt the GAT paper first or as per their strategy, but both papers are mandatory. The written examination marks, along with SSB marks, decide the final merit.
Detailed Syllabus
Mathematics (300 marks)
- Algebra — sets, relations and functions, complex numbers, quadratic equations, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, logarithms, progressions (AP, GP, HP)
- Matrices and Determinants — types of matrices, operations, properties of determinants, solving linear equations
- Trigonometry — angles, trigonometric ratios and identities, compound angles, inverse functions, properties of triangles
- Analytical Geometry of Two Dimensions — straight lines, circles, conic sections (parabola, ellipse, hyperbola)
- Analytical Geometry of Three Dimensions — direction cosines, straight lines in space, planes, spheres
- Differential Calculus — limits and continuity, differentiation, derivatives of standard functions, applications (tangents, maxima and minima)
- Integral Calculus — integration as anti-derivative, definite integrals, area under curves, differential equations of first order
- Vector Algebra — scalar and vector products, scalar and vector triple products, applications in geometry
- Statistics and Probability — measures of central tendency, dispersion, random experiments, probability of events
GAT Part A — English (200 marks)
- Spotting of errors and correct usage of grammar
- Synonyms and antonyms
- Ordering of words and sentences in a paragraph
- Comprehension of passages (reading and inference)
- Fill in the blanks (articles, prepositions, tenses)
- Idioms and phrases — meaning and usage
- One-word substitution
- Sentence improvement and re-arrangement
- Cloze tests based on vocabulary and grammar
- Basics of letter and report writing conventions for the SSB stage
GAT Part B — General Knowledge (400 marks)
- Physics — units and measurements, motion, work, energy, gravitation, heat, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics, basics of electronics
- Chemistry — matter and its states, atoms and molecules, acids, bases and salts, metals and non-metals, carbon compounds, periodic classification of elements, common gases and their properties
- General Science (Biology) — cell structure and functions, human body systems, plant life, nutrition and health, reproduction, heredity and evolution, common diseases and prevention
- History — Indian freedom movement, freedom fighters, major events of Indian and world history relevant to the armed forces
- Geography — physical, economic and social geography of India and the world, oceans and continents, rivers, climate, natural resources
- Current Events — national and international affairs of the last 12 months, sports, awards, books and authors, defence-related developments
- Polity and General Administration — Constitution of India, Parliament, executive and judiciary, defence organisation in India
Marking Scheme
| Component | Marks per Question | Negative Marking | Qualifying / Merit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (120 questions) | 2.5 marks each (approx.) | 1/3rd of marks per wrong answer | Merit (counted in final list) |
| GAT — English (50 questions) | 4 marks each (approx.) | 1/3rd of marks per wrong answer | Merit (counted in final list) |
| GAT — General Knowledge (100 questions) | 4 marks each (approx.) | 1/3rd of marks per wrong answer | Merit (counted in final list) |
| SSB Interview | — | No negative marking | Merit (counted in final list) |
Cut-off factors: The final merit is decided out of a total of 1800 marks (900 written + 900 SSB). Cut-offs depend on the number of vacancies, the difficulty of the paper and the performance of candidates in each cycle, so they vary from one examination to another. There is no fixed qualifying mark for the written exam; a candidate is shortlisted for the SSB on the basis of a cut-off decided by UPSC.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nationality: Candidate must be an Indian citizen. Certain categories (Tibetan refugees, Indian-origin persons settled abroad, etc.) are eligible as per the official notification.
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 16½ and 19½ years of age on the first day of the month in which the course begins. The exact reference date is given in the official notification. There is no age relaxation for NDA.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates are eligible. Married candidates are not eligible for the NDA examination.
- Educational Qualification:
- For the Army wing of NDA — 12th pass (10+2) from a recognised board/university in any stream.
- For the Air Force and Naval wings of NDA — 12th pass with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- For the Indian Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) — 12th pass with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- Gender: Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply (females admitted from the 2022 examination onward).
- Number of Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of attempts; the only effective limit is the upper age limit of 19½ years.
Application Process & Fees
Candidates must apply online only through the official UPSC website (https://www.upsc.gov.in). The steps are:
- Visit the "Active Examinations" section on upsc.gov.in and open the current NDA & NA notification.
- Register at the UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) portal and complete Part I and Part II of the application form.
- Upload a recent photograph, signature and photo identity card, and pay the fee online (if applicable).
- Submit the form and take a printout of the final application with the registration number for future reference.
Examination fee: ₹100 (as per the current fee structure) for male candidates belonging to the General, OBC and EWS categories. The fee is exempted for female candidates, SC/ST candidates and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs. Candidates paying the fee may also do so through cash at designated SBI branches using the system-generated challan.
Important dates (tentative, based on the previous cycle):
| Event | NDA & NA (I) | NDA & NA (II) |
|---|---|---|
| Notification release | December | May |
| Last date to apply | January | June |
| Written examination | April | September |
| Result of written exam | May–June | October–November |
| SSB Interview | June onward | November onward |
Please note that these dates are indicative and drawn from the previous cycle. Always refer to the latest official notification for the exact schedule.
Salary / Pay Scale
Cadets who pass out are commissioned as officers — Lieutenant in the Army, Sub Lieutenant in the Navy, and Flying Officer in the Air Force. As per the 7th Central Pay Commission pay structure:
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 10 (entry officer grade) |
| Basic Pay | ₹56,100 per month |
| Pay Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Military Service Pay (MSP) | ₹15,500 per month (for officers) |
| Approximate In-hand Salary | Around ₹80,000 – ₹1,00,000 per month including MSP, DA, allowances and quarters (tentative) |
Officers are entitled to additional benefits such as subsidised housing, canteen facilities, free medical care, and a secure pension scheme, making the overall compensation substantially higher than the basic pay figure.
Official Links & PDFs
- UPSC Official Website — upsc.gov.in
- UPSC Active Examinations (current NDA & NA notifications)
- UPSC Examination Calendar
- National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026 — official page
- National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 — official page
- UPSC Previous Question Papers (NDA & NA)
- UPSC Online Recruitment Application (ORA) Portal
The official NDA & NA notification, which contains the detailed syllabus, eligibility conditions and fee schedule, is available as a PDF on the examination page linked above. Always download the notification from upsc.gov.in and not from third-party mirrors.
Preparation Tips & Strategy
- Build speed and accuracy on the NCERT base: NDA questions in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology are largely drawn from the Class 11 and 12 NCERT syllabus, so a thorough revision of NCERT textbooks is the most reliable preparation.
- Practise time-bound mock tests: Since the Mathematics paper has 120 questions in 150 minutes, practise solving full-length papers within the time limit to improve speed and avoid negative-marking errors.
- Master negative marking: Only attempt questions you are confident about. Because 1/3rd marks are deducted for every wrong answer, blind guessing can seriously damage your score.
- Read newspapers daily: At least 8–10 current affairs questions appear in the General Knowledge part. Follow a national daily and a monthly current affairs compilation for the last 12 months.
- Strengthen English fundamentals: The English section tests grammar, vocabulary and comprehension. Practise one reading passage and one error-spotting set daily to build accuracy.
- Maintain a formula and fact diary: Keep a notebook of mathematical formulas, physics laws, chemical reactions, historical dates and defence facts for quick revision in the final weeks.
- Prepare early for the SSB stage: The SSB assesses personality, leadership and communication through the Officer Intelligence Rating test, Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT), psychological tests, group tasks and personal interviews. Work on your communication, participation in group discussions and general awareness from the start.
- Use previous year papers: Solve at least the last 8–10 years of NDA & NA question papers to understand the pattern, difficulty level and frequently repeated topics.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many times is the NDA examination conducted in a year?
A: The NDA & NA examination is conducted twice a year by UPSC — NDA & NA (I) with the written exam usually in April, and NDA & NA (II) with the written exam usually in September.
Q: What is the minimum and maximum age to appear for NDA?
A: A candidate must be between 16½ and 19½ years of age on the date fixed in the official notification. There is no age relaxation for the NDA examination.
Q: Is the NDA written exam qualifying in nature?
A: No. The written examination marks (900) are added to the SSB interview marks (900) to prepare the final merit list out of 1800 marks. However, a candidate must score above the cut-off to be shortlisted for the SSB interview.
Q: Are female candidates eligible for NDA?
A: Yes. Following the Supreme Court order of August 2021, female candidates are eligible to appear in the NDA examination, and the first batch of women cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy in 2025.
Q: What is the application fee for NDA?
A: The fee is ₹100 for male candidates of General, OBC and EWS categories. It is waived for female candidates, SC/ST candidates and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs.
Q: Where do NDA cadets receive their training?
A: Army, Navy and Air Force cadets train together for three years at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune. They then proceed to the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala) or Air Force Academy (Dundigal) for the final pre-commission training.
For the latest notification, application dates, admit card and result updates, keep checking the official UPSC website (https://www.upsc.gov.in) and follow the official announcements there.