National Defence Academy (NDA)
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a premier training institution for the Indian Armed Forces. It provides training to cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, preparing them to become officers in the respective branches.
Why Does the Government Conduct the NDA Exam?
The government conducts the NDA exam to recruit talented and dedicated young individuals as officers in the armed forces. The exam selects candidates who can play a vital role in the country’s defense and security.
Eligibility Criteria for NDA Application 2025
To apply for the NDA exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:
1. Age Limit: Candidates should be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old.
2. Educational Qualification: Candidates should have passed…
NDA Application Form 2025
The NDA application form is typically available twice a year, once in December and again in May. However, the exact dates may vary slightly each year.
Steps to Fill the NDA Form
| 1. Online Application | Visit the UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) and fill out the online application form for NDA. |
| 2. Registration: | First, register on the UPSC website. |
| 3. Fill the Form: | After registration, fill out the NDA application form |
| 4. Required Documents | Upload your photo and signature. |
| 5. Fee Payment | Pay the application fee online. |
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria:
- Age Limit: Between 16.5 and 19.5 years old.
- Educational Qualification: 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (for Air Force and Navy).
NDA Exam 2025 Highlights and Syllabus
The NDA exam 2025 has the following key highlights and syllabus:
- NDA Exam 2025
| Exam Conduct | The NDA exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year, once in April and again in September |
| Exam Mode | The exam is conducted in offline mode. |
| Subjects | The exam consists of two subjects: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). |
| Maximum Marks | Mathematics carries 300 marks and GAT carries 600 marks |
| Test (GAT). Maximum Marks | Mathematics carries 300 marks and GAT carries 600 marks. |
- NDA Exam Syllabus 2025
Mathematics
| Algebra | Sets, Venn diagrams, complex numbers, progressions, quadratic equations, matrices, and determinants. |
| Trigonometry | Angles and their measures, trigonometric ratios, trigonometric identities |
| Analytical Geometry | Coordinate system, distance formula,… |
- Steps to Fill NDA Form 2025 Online
The steps to fill the NDA form online are as follows:
Online Application Process
1. Visit UPSC Website: First, visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in).
2. Click on Online Application Form: On the homepage, click on “Online Application Form” or “NDA Application Form.”
3. Register: If you’re not already registered, register yourself and obtain a user ID and password.
4. Fill Application Form: After registration, proceed to fill the NDA application form.
5. Fill Required Information: Fill in your personal details, educational qualifications, and other required information.
6. Upload Photo and Signature: Upload scanned documents of your photo and signature.
7. Pay Application Fee: Pay the application fee online.
8. Submit Application For…
- Eligibility Criteria for Girls in NDA Exam
The eligibility criteria for girls in the NDA exam are as follows
Educational Qualification: Girls must have passed 12th or equivalent examination.
Subjects: For Air Force and Navy, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) are required.
Age Limit: The age limit for girls is between 16.5 and 19.5 years.
Nationality: Girls must be Indian citizens or citizens of Bhutan/Nepal or Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962.
Physical Fitness: Girls must be physically fit and meet the required standards
Girls can also participate in NDA exam: Girls can also participate in the NDA exam and become officers in the Indian Army.
The educational qualification for NDA is as follow
12th Pass or Equivalent: Candidates must have passed 12th or equivalent examination to apply for NDA.- Subjects: For Air Force and Navy, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) are require
The educational qualification for NDA is the same for both girls and boys. Both must have passed 12th or equivalent examination and require PCM subjects for Air Force and Navy.
Steps to Download NDA 2025 Admit Card
1. Visit UPSC Official Website: First, visit the UPSC official website (upsc.gov.in).
2. Click on Admit Card Link: On the homepage, click on the “Admit Card” or “NDA Admit Card” link.
3. Enter Credentials: Enter your registration ID, date of birth, and other required details.
4. Download Admit Card: The admit card will appear on the screen, which you can download.
5. Take a Printout: Take a printout of the admit card and keep it safe.
Important Points
Timing for Admit Card Download: Admit cards are usually released a few days before the exam.
Verify Details on Admit Card: Check your name, date of birth, exam date, and other details on t…
- Exam Pattern
The NDA exam consists of two papers:
| 1. Mathematics | This paper carries 300 marks and has 120 questions. |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 hours |
| Question Type: | Objective-type questions (MCQs) |
| 2. General Ability Test (GAT) | This paper carries 600 marks and has 150 questions |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 hours |
| Question Type | Objective-type questions (MCQs) |
Exam Details
Total Exam Duration: 5 hours (for both papers)
Total Marks: 900 marks (300 marks for Mathematics and 600 marks for GAT)
The NDA exam consists of objective-type questions, where candidates have to choose the correct answer. The exam also has negative marking, where one-third of the marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.
- NDA Exam Syllabus 2025
Mathematics
- Algebra: Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan’s law, Cartesian product, relations, equivalence relations, real numbers, complex numbers, modulus, cube roots, quadratic equations, linear inequalities, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, logarithms
- Calculus: Real-valued functions, domain, range, and graph of a function, composite functions, one-to-one and onto functions, limits, differentiation, applications of derivatives
- Matrix and Determinants: Types of matrices, matrix operations, determinants, adjoint and inverse of a matrix
- Trigonometry: Angles and their measures, trigonometric ratios, trigonometric identities, sum and difference formulas, multiple and sub-multip…
- Useful Tips for NDA Preparation
1. Regular Study: Regular study is essential for NDA preparation. Create a study plan and stick to it.
2. Subject-wise Preparation: Create separate study plans for Mathematics, General Ability Test, and other subjects.
3. Study Material: Choose suitable study material for NDA preparation, such as books, online resources, and mock tests.
Understand the Exam Pattern
1. Exam Pattern: Understand the NDA exam pattern and prepare accordingly.
2. Question Types: Understand the types of objective questions and how to answer them.
Mock Tests and Practice
1. Mock Tests: Use mock tests to evaluate your preparation and work on weak areas.
2. Practice: Regular practice improve…
- Useful Books for NDA Preparation
Mathematics
| SUBJECT | BOOK -NAME | AUTHOR |
| Mathematics | Mathematics” (for Class 11 and 12) | RD Sharma |
| Mathematics | Plane Trigonometry” | SL Loney |
| Mathematics | “Higher Algebra” | Hall and Knight |
General Ability Test (GAT)
| SUBJECT | BOOK -NAME | AUTHOR |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | English” | SP Bakshi |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | General Knowledge” | M Karim |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | General Science” | Arvind Kumar |
Other Books
| 1. UPSC NDA Guide: | “NDA Exam Guide” | Publisher: UPSC |
| 2.Michael D Santo | “NDA Mathematics” | Author: Michael D Santo |
In addition to these books, you can also use online resources and mock tests. Regular study and practice are essential for NDA preparation.
The NDA 2025 cutoff has not been officially announced yet. However, based on previous years’ trends, some estimates can be made.
- Written Exam Cutoff
– NDA 2023: 301 marks (out of 900)
– NDA 2022: 360 and 355 marks
– Estimated cutoff: 330-360 marks
Final Cutoff
– NDA 2023: 664 marks (out of 1800)
– NDA 2022: 720 marks
– Estimated cutoff: 660-720 marks
The cutoff is based on several factors, including:
– Difficulty level of the question paper
– Number of vacancies
– Number of candidates appearing for the exam
To know the NDA 2025 cutoff, you can visit the UPSC’s offi…
- The NDA selection process involves three stages:
Stage 1: Written Exam
The written exam consists of two papers:
– Mathematics: 300 marks, 120 questions, and 2.5 hours duration
– General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks, 150 questions, and 2.5 hours duration
Total marks for the written exam are 900. There’s negative marking for incorrect answers
Stage 2: SSB Interview
Candidates who clear the written exam are shortlisted for the SSB interview, which includes
– Screening: Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT) and Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR)
– Psychological Tests: Thematic Apperception Test, Word Association Test, Situation Reaction Test, and Self Description Test
– Group Testing Officer’s Task (GTO): Group Discussion, Group Planning …
Stage 3: Medical Examination
Candidates who clear the SSB interview undergo a medical examination to assess their physical fitness. Only those who meet the required standards are selected for the National Defence Academy
Required Documents:
– Original 10th and 12th pass certificates
– Valid photo ID proof
– Caste certificate (if applicable)
– SSB call letter
Final Selection:
The final merit list is prepared based on performance in the written exam and SSB interview. Candidates are selected for the Army, Navy, or Air Force based on vacancies, eligibility, medical fitness, and merit-cum-preference
NDA SALARY
The salary of NDA officers varies based on their rank and position. Here is some information about the salary for different ranks:
– During training: ₹56,100 per month
– Lieutenant: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month
– Captain: ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 per month
– Major: ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 per month
– Lieutenant Colonel: ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400 per month
– Colonel: ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900 per month
– Brigadier: ₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600 per month
– Major General: ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 per month
Allowances
NDA officers also receive various allowances, including:
– Dearness Allowance: admissible as per rules applicable to civilian employees from time to time
– Kit Maintenance Allowance: ₹20,000 annual dress allowance
– Para Allowance: ₹10,500 per month
– Special Forces Allowance: ₹25,000 per month
– Flying Allowance: ₹25,000 per month for Army Aviators (Pilots) serving in the Army Aviation Corps
– High Altitude Allowance: different rates apply for Category-I, II, and III.
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