UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination twice a year for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA, as well as for the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). It is one of the most sought-after defence entrance exams in India for candidates after the 10+2 level. The examination selects young and motivated individuals, training them to become commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The selection process involves a Written Examination followed by an extensive Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview to assess both academic knowledge and officer-like qualities.
📌 Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle here.
Age Limit & Marital Status
- Age: A candidate must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age on the date the course is scheduled to commence.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
Educational Qualifications
The educational requirements differ based on the wing a candidate wishes to join:
- For Army Wing: Passed the 12th Class (10+2 pattern) of School Education or an equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
- For Air Force and Naval Wings: Passed the 12th Class (10+2 pattern) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as subjects.
Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or an equivalent examination can also apply for the exam.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Stage I — Written Examination
The written exam consists of two objective-type papers, both conducted on the same day.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 2.5 Hours | 300 |
| Paper II | General Ability Test (GAT) | 2.5 Hours | 600 |
| Total | - | 5 | 900 |
Syllabus for Written Exam
- Paper I: Mathematics (300 Marks):
- Algebra: Sets, Venn diagrams, complex numbers, quadratic equations, progressions.
- Matrices and Determinants: Types, operations, and properties of matrices and determinants.
- Trigonometry: Ratios, identities, inverse trigonometric functions, properties of triangles.
- Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D): Cartesian system, line, circle, conic sections, 3D geometry.
- Differential & Integral Calculus: Limits, continuity, differentiation, integration and its applications.
- Vector Algebra: Vectors, scalars, dot and cross products.
- Statistics & Probability: Data classification, central tendency, correlation, basic probability.
- Paper II: General Ability Test (GAT) (600 Marks): This paper has two parts.
- Part A - English (200 Marks): Tests vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and cohesive use of English.
- Part B - General Knowledge (400 Marks):
- Physics: Motion, gravity, work, energy, heat, light, sound, electricity.
- Chemistry: Physical and chemical changes, elements, compounds, atoms, acids, bases.
- General Science: Human anatomy, basis of life, common epidemics.
- History & Freedom Movement: Indian History, culture, and freedom struggle.
- Geography: The Earth, weather, climate, oceans, Indian geography.
- Current Events: Knowledge of important recent events in India and the world.
Stage II — Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview
Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the SSB interview. This is a comprehensive five-day personality and intelligence test.
- Stage 1 (Screening): Consists of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and a Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT).
- Stage 2 (Psychology, GTO, Interview): This stage lasts for the remaining four days and includes psychological tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, a personal interview, and a conference on the final day.
👉 Note
- Candidates who are recommended by the Service Selection Board must also clear a rigorous medical examination to be considered for the final merit list.
- For full official syllabus & eligibility, refer to UPSC official notification.
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.