Welcome to Target Defence Academy, Joining the National Defence Academy (NDA) is one of the most prestigious paths to becoming an officer in the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force). The NDA is located in Khadakwasla, near Pune, and trains cadets from all three services together before they go on to their respective specialized training academies.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to join the National Defence Academy (NDA):
Eligibility Criteria for NDA
1. Age Limit:
You must be between the ages of 16.5 years to 19.5 years.
- Age Limit for NDA 1 2026: the candidate must have been born between 2nd July 2007 and 1st July 2010.
- Age limit for NDA 2 2026: the candidate must have been born between 2nd January 2008 and 1st January 2011.
2. Educational Qualification:
- Army Wing: You need to have completed the 12th class (with any stream) from a recognized board or its equivalent.
- Air Force and Navy Wings: You need to have completed 12th class with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
3. Gender and Marital Status:
- Both male and female candidates can apply for NDA.
- Only unmarried candidates can apply.
4. Physical Standards:
- Height: The minimum height requirement is 157 cm (for male candidates).
- Weight: It must be proportionate to the height.
- Vision: You need to have a 6/6 vision in your better eye and 6/9 vision in your worse eye.
- Candidates will also have to meet medical standards for the armed forces.
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Selection Process for NDA
The NDA selection process is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and consists of two major phases:
1. NDA Written Examination
- The NDA exam consists of two papers:
- Mathematics (Paper I): 300 marks
- General Ability Test (GAT) (Paper II): 600 marks
- The GAT paper includes English and General Knowledge (covering subjects like Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Geography, History, Current Affairs, and more).
- Exam Pattern:
- The Mathematics paper is of 2.5 hours duration, while the GAT paper is also of 2.5 hours.
- Negative marking: There is a negative marking of 0.33 marks for every incorrect answer.
2. SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview
Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for the SSB interview, which is conducted over 5 days.
- Day 1:
- Screening Test: This consists of the Intelligence Test (IT) and Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT).
- Day 2-4:
- Psychological Tests: Including Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self-Description Test (SDT).Group Testing: You will be tested on your leadership skills and teamwork abilities through Group Discussion (GD), Group Planning Exercise (GPE), Progressive Group Tasks (PGT), and Individual Obstacles.Physical Fitness: Various physical tasks and endurance tests.
- Day 5:
- Personal Interview (PI): A one-on-one interview with an officer to assess your personality, general awareness, and motivations for joining the armed forces.
3. Final Merit List
- The final merit list is based on the marks obtained in the written exam and the SSB interview. Candidates who are successful in both stages are selected for training at the NDA.
Training at NDA
- Duration: The training at NDA lasts for 3 years.
- The training includes:
- Academic Courses: Engineering, science, and military subjects.
- Military Training: Physical fitness, weapons training, leadership skills, and discipline.
- After 3 years, candidates are sent to their respective academies for further specialized training:
- Indian Army: Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.
- Indian Air Force: Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad.
- Indian Navy: Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Kerala.
Application Process
- Notification: UPSC releases the official notification for the NDA exam twice a year, generally in December (for NDA 1) and May (for NDA 2).
- Online Application: Candidates need to apply online on the official UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in) during the application window.
- Admit Card: After applying, candidates can download their admit card from the UPSC website approximately 3 weeks before the exam date.
- Examination: Appear for the written exam at your designated exam center.
- SSB Interview: If you qualify for the written exam, you will be called for the SSB interview at a designated SSB center.
Important Dates For NDA 2026:
| UPSC NDA Exam Date 2026 | ||
| Events | NDA 1 2026 | NDA 2 2026 |
| Notification | 10th December 2025 | 20th May 2026 |
| Application form | 10th December 2025 | 20th May 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 30 December 2025 | 9th June, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | To be notified | To be notified |
| Admit Card Release Date | Last week of March 2026 | First Week of September 2026 |
| Written exam date | 12th April 2026 | 13th September 2026 |
| Declaration of written result | 26 April 2026 (Expected) | Last Week of Sep 2026 |
| SSB Interview | To be notified | To be notified |
Tips for Preparing for NDA
- Time Management: Start your preparation early. Break down the syllabus and devote enough time to each subject.
- Focus on Core Subjects: Focus on Mathematics for the written exam, especially the trickiest topics like Algebra, Trigonometry, and Geometry.
- General Knowledge: Stay updated on current affairs, history, geography, and science topics. Read newspapers and magazines regularly.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Practice previous years’ NDA papers to get an understanding of the exam pattern and difficulty level.
- Physical Fitness: Regularly engage in physical activities such as running, swimming, and other fitness exercises to improve your stamina and physical strength for the SSB tests.
Summary
To join NDA, clear the UPSC NDA written exam, followed by the SSB interview, and undergo 3 years of training at the National Defence Academy. After successful completion, you will be commissioned as an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.