The National Defence Academy (NDA) is globally renowned as the premier tri-service academy. It stands as the sole institution of its kind, offering rigorous training to aspiring cadets. The entrance examination for admission into the academy is known for its challenging nature and is considered one of the most demanding in the world. . Read more career blogs at college49.
Preparation Tips and Tricks To Crack The NDA Exam
Candidates can effectively prepare for the NDA exam by following the tips given below:
- Get acquainted with the subjects, exam patterns, and question types of the NDA exam.
- The Mathematics section covers topics such as Algebra, Matrices, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics, etc. Refer to NCERT books from Classes 8 to 12 to strengthen your understanding.
- The General Ability Test (GAT) covers various subjects like Chemistry, General Science, Geography, History, and Current Affairs. It also includes an English section. Thoroughly revise the topics you have studied in these subjects.
- Create concise and easily understandable notes to aid in revision. These notes will help you review the topics quickly and efficiently.
- Solve previous years’ NDA question papers and take NDA mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format, and time management, and improve your problem-solving skills.
- Invest in good NDA books and question banks that provide comprehensive coverage of the syllabus and practice exercises.
Introduction
The NDA exam is held to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy in Pune and the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) in Ezhimala. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is responsible for organizing and overseeing the exam, which takes place twice a year. The selection of candidates is based on their performance in the written exam as well as the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview.
NDA Exam Date
The NDA exam is conducted in two phases every year. The exam dates for NDA 2023 have been announced by the UPSC. NDA 1 2023 exam was held for admission to the courses commencing in January 2024. NDA 2 2023 exam will be conducted for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA for the 152nd Course and the 114th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) starting from July 2, 2024. Here are the upcoming exam dates:
| Dates | Events |
|---|---|
| 3 Sep ’23 | NDA 2 2023 exam |
| 20 Dec ’23 | NDA 1 Notification 2024 |
| 20 Dec ’23 -9 Jan ’24 | NDA 1 Application Form 2024 |
| 21 Apr ’24 | NDA 1 2024 exam |
| 15 May ’24 | NDA 2 Notification 2024 |
| 15 May ’24-4 Jun ’24 | NDA 2 Application Form 2024 |
| 9 Sep ’24 | NDA 2 Exam Date 2024. |
NDA Exam Registration
The NDA 1 application form for the year 2024 will be available for submission from December 20, 2023, to January 9, 2024. The NDA 2 application form for 2024 will be available from May 15 to June 4, 2024. Candidates are required to fill the NDA application form online. The application fee is Rs. 100, while candidates belonging to SC/ST/NCOs/Sons of JCOs/ORs categories are exempted from fee payment. The application fee can be paid both online and offline.
Here are the steps to fill the NDA application form:
- Visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- If you are a new user, complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process.
- Registered users can directly fill the NDA application form for 2024.
- The registration process consists of two parts: Part I and Part II.
- In Part I, complete the candidate’s registration, select the preferred branch, verify details, and generate a registration ID.
- In Part II, pay the application fees, select the exam center, and upload scanned images of photographs and signatures.
- After successfully filling both parts, submit the NDA application form.
- Candidates should take a printout of the NDA application form and the fee transaction receipt.
NDA Exam Syllabus
The syllabus for the NDA exam consists of topics from Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The syllabus is based on the standards of Classes 10, 11, and 12. Here are the topics included in the syllabus:
Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions, and Statistics and Probability.
GAT: The GAT syllabus of NDA is divided into two parts. Part A includes questions from English, while Part B covers questions from General Knowledge. In the English part, questions are asked about Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. In the General Knowledge part, questions are asked about Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.
NDA Exam Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria for NDA in order to be eligible for the exam:
- NDA Age Limit:
- For NDA 1 exam, both male and female candidates must have been born between July 2, 2004, and July 1, 2007.
- For NDA 2 exam, both male and female candidates must have been born between January 2, 2005, and January 1, 2008.
- NDA Eligibility: Sex and Marital Status:
- Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the exam.
- Girls Allowed in NDA:
- In 2021, the Supreme Court passed a decision allowing girls to join the National Defence Academy. The first batch of women candidates appeared in the NDA 2 exam last year.
- NDA Qualification:
- The educational qualification varies for different academies within NDA.
- For the Army Wing of the National Defence Academy, candidates must have passed Class 12/HSC or equivalent from a recognized board or university.
- For the Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy of the National Defence Academy, candidates must have passed Class 12/HSC with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
NDA Exam Pattern and Test Structure
The written exam of NDA consists of two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The written test is worth a total of 900 marks. Candidates who achieve the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam are invited for the SSB Interview. The SSB interview is worth 900 marks. The exam pattern for NDA 2023 is as follows:
| Particulars | Code | Exam Name | Duration | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper Code | 01 | Mathematics | 2 ½ hours | 120 | 300 |
| Paper Code | 02 | General Ability Test | 2 ½ hours | 50 | 200 |
| Total Marks for Written Exam | 500 | ||||
| SSB Interview | 900 marks | ||||
| Total Marks | 1400 |
NDA Exam Books
Choosing the right books for NDA exam preparation is crucial as they help candidates understand concepts and build a strong foundation in each subject. However, with numerous options available in the market, selecting the best books can be challenging. Below, we have provided a list of recommended books for different subjects covered in the NDA exam, including English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Geography, and Current Affairs:
NDA Books for English:
- “Objective General English” by S. P. Bakshi
- “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis
- “Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar & Composition”
NDA Books for Chemistry and Physics:
- NCERT Science books of Class 11 and 12
NDA Books for Maths:
- “National Defence Academy and Naval Academy” by R S Aggarwal
NDA Exam Cut Off
The NDA cutoff is the minimum qualifying mark that candidates must secure in order to qualify the exam and proceed to the next round of the selection process. The expected cutoff for NDA 1 in 2023 has been predicted based on previous years’ cutoff trends. The expected cutoff for the written exam is 400 marks, while the final cutoff (written exam + SSB) is expected to be 704 marks.
The official NDA cutoff for both sessions of the exam is released after the declaration of the final result. The cutoff is announced separately for the written exam and the final selection. The cutoff for the written exam is calculated out of 900 marks, while the final selection cutoff is based on the marks obtained by the last recommended candidates out of 1800 marks (900 marks for the written exam and 900 marks for the SSB Interview). The qualifying cutoff marks prescribed for each subject are 25 percent.
Candidates should note that these expected cutoff marks are based on trends and may vary when the official cutoff is released. It is important to strive for a high score to increase the chances of qualifying for the next round of the selection process.
NDA Exam Question Paper
Candidates are advised to practice using NDA previous years’ question papers in order to familiarize themselves with the exam pattern and syllabus. Solving these question papers enables candidates to assess the difficulty level of the exam and enhance their accuracy and proficiency in all subjects. By practicing previous years’ question papers, candidates can improve their efficiency in solving questions and enhance their time management skills. It is a valuable exercise for NDA exam preparation.
NDA Exam Admit Card
The NDA 2 admit card for 2023 will be released approximately three weeks prior to the exam. A download link will be provided on the official website for candidates to easily access and obtain their admit cards. Candidates can download the NDA admit card by logging in using either their roll number or registration number. It is important to note that the admit card will not be sent to candidates via post in hard copy form.
Here are the steps to download the NDA admit card:
- Visit the official website of the conducting authority.
- Look for the admit card link on the home page and click on it.
- Enter your login credentials, such as roll number or registration number, as required.
- Once you submit the details, the admit card will appear on the screen.
- Download the admit card and take a printout of it.
NDA Exam Result
The NDA 2 result for the year 2023 will be announced in September 2023. The NDA result is typically released in the form of a PDF file, which contains the roll numbers of the qualified candidates. The mark sheet of candidates is usually released after the final result declaration.
Here are the steps to check the NDA result 2023:
- Visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Look for the ‘NDA result’ link in the ‘What’s New’ or similar section on the website’s homepage.
- Click on the link to access the NDA result PDF.
- The result PDF will open, displaying the roll numbers of the candidates who have qualified.
- Use the search function or manually search for your roll number in the result PDF.
- Download the result PDF and save it for future reference.
NDA Exam Highlight 2024
Here are the summarized details regarding the NDA exam:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (April & September) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Exam Stages | Written exam and SSB Interview |
| Total Registrations | 5.3 lakh (As per 2020 data) |
| Total Test Takers | 2.4 lakh (As per 2020 data) |
| Exam Purpose | Admission to National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) |
| Exam Fees | INR 100 for male candidates of General and OBC categories. SC/ST/Women candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from fees. |
| Exam Duration | GAT (General Ability Test) – 2 ½ hours, Mathematics – 2 ½ hours Number of Papers |
| Total Marks | Paper 1- GAT, Paper 2-Mathematics; |
| Total marks | Written Exam – 900, SSB Interview – 900 |
| Total Questions | GAT – 150, Mathematics – 120 |
| Marking Scheme | GAT – Four marks for correct answers, 1.33 marks deducted for wrong answers; Mathematics – 2.5 marks for correct answers, 0.83 marks deducted for wrong answers |
| Language/Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Number of Test Cities | More than 70 test cities |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Contact Details | 011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 |
