National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination

The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination is an entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year for admissions into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA).^[1] The NDA Exam serves as a gateway for candidates seeking a career in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.^[2][3][4]

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination

Acronym	NDA/NA Exam
Type	OMR sheet based (Pen & Paper)
Administrator	Union Public Service Commission
Skills tested	Writing, English, General knowledge, others
Purpose	Selection of candidates to be commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force
Year started	1954 (71 years ago) (1954)
Duration	Five hours (Mathematics: 2½ hours, General Ability Test (GAT): 2½ hours)
Offered	Twice a year (April & September)
Restrictions on attempts	16½ years to 19½ years (age of the candidate)
Regions	India
Languages	Hindi or English
Fee	₹100 (US$1.20) (for General male candidates)
Qualification rate	≈ 4% (approx) for written examination
Website	www.upsc.gov.in

History

The NDA Exam was first conducted in the year 1954 after the NDA was established to train cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force together.^{[citation needed]}

Eligibility

To be eligible for the NDA Exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Citizenship: Candidates must be Indian citizens.^[5]
• Age Limit: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age.^[5]
• Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed their 10+2 education from a recognized board or university.^[5]

Examination Process

The NDA Exam is conducted in two stages: a written examination and an interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB).^[6]

Written Examination

The written examination consists of two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Both papers are objective type and are conducted on the same day. The Mathematics paper evaluates the candidates' mathematical aptitude, while the GAT paper assesses their English language proficiency, general knowledge, and reasoning abilities.^{[citation needed]}

Services Selection Board Interview

Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. The SSB interview consists of various stages, including intelligence and personality tests, group discussions, psychological tests, and personal interviews.^{[citation needed]}

Administration

The NDA Exam is administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which is a constitutional body responsible for recruiting personnel for various government services and posts. The UPSC ensures the fair and transparent conduct of the examination process, including the release of notifications, application acceptance, examination schedules, result declaration, and the final selection of candidates.^[7]