The National Defence Academy (NDA) stands as a symbol of honour, courage, and discipline, shaping the future leaders of the Indian Armed Forces. Managed under the aegis of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the NDA is part of India’s most prestigious selection process for young aspirants seeking a career in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

The UPSC, known for conducting some of the country’s most competitive and high-stakes examinations, organises the NDA I and NDA II twice every year. This rigorous recruitment process identifies and selects the most promising young minds and physically fit individuals who are then trained to become officers in the defence services.

NDA Exam For Female Candidates

Earlier, the NDA was open only to male candidates, but in recent years, the academy has made history by opening its gates to female aspirants as well. This change reflects India’s growing commitment to gender equality in its armed forces and marks a significant milestone in the academy’s proud legacy.

Both male and female cadets undergo the same training modules, assessments, and challenges, ensuring that every graduate meets the highest professional standards expected of an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.

Academics at NDA

The NDA selection process is among the toughest in the nation. It begins with the NDA & NA written examination, conducted by the UPSC, which evaluates candidates in Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). Successful candidates move forward to the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, an exhaustive five-day evaluation that tests mental acuity, physical endurance, leadership qualities, and decision-making skills.

After successfully clearing both stages, candidates are admitted into the NDA for a three-year training program. Upon completion, cadets are awarded a bachelor’s degree and then proceed to their respective service academies for specialised pre-commission training:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun – for Army cadets
• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala – for Navy cadets
• Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal – for Air Force cadets

NDA 2025 Exam Schedule

• NDA I : Notification released on December 11, 2024, with the exam scheduled for April 13, 2025.

• NDA II : Notification to be issued on May 28, 2025, with the exam scheduled for September 14, 2025.

Application Process for NDA 2025

The NDA application process is conducted online via the official UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in). Candidates must complete the form carefully in two stages:

1. Part-I Registration:

• Provide basic personal information such as name, date of birth, address, and contact details.
• Select preferred examination centres.

1. Part-II Registration:

• Fill in educational qualifications and service preferences (Army, Navy, Air Force).
• Upload scanned copies of a recent passport-size photograph and signature in the specified format.
• Pay the application fee online via net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI. Offline payment can be made through an SBI bank challan.

Final Submission:

• Review the entire application form carefully.
• Submit and take a printout for future reference.

Eligibility Criteria for NDA 2025

To be considered for the NDA examination, candidates must fulfil the following conditions:

Nationality

• Must be a citizen of India, or
• A subject of Nepal, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intent to settle permanently in India.

Age Limit

• NDA I 2025: Born between July 2, 2006 and July 1, 2009.
• NDA II 2025: Born between January 2, 2007 and January 1, 2010.

Educational Qualification

• Army Wing: Passed or appearing in Class 12 (10+2 pattern) from a recognised board.
• Air Force & Naval Wings / INA: Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as subjects.

Marital Status

• Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible.

NDA 2025 Important Dates

Application Fee

• General / OBC: ₹100
• SC / ST / Female: Exempted
• Payment can be made online (Net Banking, Card, UPI) or offline via SBI challan.

Admit Card

The NDA admit card is released about three weeks before the exam. Candidates can download it from the UPSC portal using their registration ID or roll number. The admit card, along with a valid photo ID, is mandatory to enter the examination centre.

NDA Examination Pattern

The NDA selection process consists of two stages:

NDA Exam Revised Syllabus

Mathematics:

• Algebra, Matrices & Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential & Integral Calculus, Probability, and Statistics.

English (Part A of GAT):

• Grammar usage, comprehension, vocabulary, sentence structure, and synonyms/antonyms.

General Knowledge (Part B of GAT):

• Physics: Mechanics, Electricity, Optics, Modern Physics.
• Chemistry: Atomic structure, Chemical reactions, Organic chemistry basics.
• General Science: Biology, Human body, Environmental science.
• History: Indian independence movement, Constitution, Ancient & Modern history.
• Geography: Physical geography, Climate, Resources, Maps.
• Current Events: National and international news, defence-related events, sports.

Final Selection

The final merit list is prepared based on combined scores from the written examination and SSB interview, subject to medical fitness and document verification.