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NDA Full Form - NDA and NA Examination is a popular exam held by the UPSC twice yearly to recruit candidates into the Indian Defence Services like the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. But what is the full form of NDA ? The full form of the NDA exam is the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination. Candidates attempting the UPSC NDA exam must be acquainted with all of the important details pertaining to the exam, such as the NDA syllabus, the exam pattern, the cutoff and the selection process before applying. Candidates can refer to the material below for a comprehensive overview of the information regarding the NDA 2024 exam.
Exam name | NDA and NA |
NDA Full Form | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination |
Exam Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Official website | upsc.gov.in |
NDA Eligibility Criteria | Age limit - 16.5 to 19.5 years Educational Qualification - 10+2 passed |
Application mode | Online |
Application fee | Rs 100 (UR/ OBC) |
Stages of exam | Written test (offline) SSB interview |
Exam mode | Offline |
Number of papers | Paper 1 - Maths Paper 2 - GAT |
As we now know the full form of the NDA exam is the National Defence Academy exam that is conducted by the UPSC. The Union Public Service Commission also conducts other Sarkari recruitment exams for applicants who have passed class 12th to graduation. Most of these exams are known to the applicants by their short form like UPSC CSE or IAS, CDS, CAPF, UPSC ESE, UPSC CMS, etc. The eligibility criteria for all the UPSC exams are different. The NDA exam is conducted twice every year in April and September.
As it is clear from the NDA full form that this Sarkari recruitment exam is conducted for the recruitment of qualified candidates to the three Indian Defence Services. All those who appear for the NDA exam and clear all the stages of it will be inducted as officers in one of the following three services (Indian Army/ Navy/ Air Force) based on their NDA merit list. The responsibility that is conferred on the NDA-qualified candidates is that of protecting the country against foreign enemies.
Check Here List of Other Government Exams
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The NDA and NA exam is conducted for 10+2 passed students by the UPSC to get inducted into the Indian Defence Services. Applicants between the age group of 16.5 to 19.5 years who have passed class 12th or are awaiting their final result can apply for the NDA 2024 exam. There is no age relaxation offered to any category in the NDA exam. The eligibility criteria for NDA is based on factors like nationality, age limit, physical standards and educational qualification. Check below the table to know the NDA eligibility criteria in short.
Nationality | Indian |
Age limit | 16.5 to 19.5 years |
Educational Qualification | Passed 10+2 standard or equivalent exam from a recognised board |
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The Union Public Service Commission mentions the exam pattern of NDA in the official UPSC NDA notification. The NDA 2024 selection process has two stages - a written exam and an SSB interview. The NDA written exam is conducted in offline mode. Multiple choice questions are asked in the NDA exam. There is a negative marking for every wrong answer in the NDA exam. Check the table below to better understand the NDA exam pattern.
Important - Check the Complete List of Full Forms
Particulars | NDA Written exam | SSB Interview |
Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) | Offline (Group activities and Face to face interview |
Papers | Mathematics General Ability Test (GAT) | Testing Psychological Test Group Testing Officers Test Personal Interview Conference |
Duration | 5 hours (2 hours 30 minutes for each paper) | 5 days |
Total marks | 900 marks | 900 marks |
Total Questions | Maths - 120 questions GAT - 150 questions | - |
The Commission mentions the syllabus of the NDA exam for both maths and GAT papers in the official NDA notification. The NDA syllabus is the same for all aspirants irrespective of the service they want to join. The NDA exam syllabus contains all the chapters and topics from which the questions are asked in the NDA maths and GAT exam. The standard of questions in the NDA exam are of matriculation and 10+2 level. Candidates can check the NDA syllabus in the table below.
Subjects | Topics |
Mathematics | Algebra, Matrices And Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry Of Two And Three Dimensions, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus And Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Statistics And Probability etc. |
GAT | English, General Knowledge, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, General Science, History, Freedom Movement etc. |
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Other sarkari exams conducted by UPSC
The full form of NDA is the National Defence Academy Examination.
The age limit to apply for the NDA exam is 16.5 to 19.5 years.
The NDA 1 2024 exam will be conducted on April 21, 2024.
The minimum academic qualification needed for the NDA exam is class 12th pass.
Those who meet the NDA eligibility criteria as mentioned in the article can apply for the NDA exam.
Check the NDA salary for different Ranks in the table below.
NDA salary
Rank | Rank Pay (in Rupees) |
Lieutenant to Major | 15,600 - 39,100/- |
Lieutenant Colonel to Major General | 37,400 - 67,000/- |
Lieutenant General HAG Scale | 67,000 - 79,000/- |
HAG+ Scale | 75,500 - 80,000/- |
Vice Chief of Army Staff/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | 80,000/- |
Chief of Army Staff | 90,000/- (fixed) |
Application Correction Date:10 August,2025 - 19 August,2025
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, you can likely give the NDA exam next year (2026) if you meet the age and educational criteria.
The NDA age limit is generally 16.5 to 19.5 years at the time the course commences.
For NDA 1 2026 (exam in April 2026), candidates should typically be born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010 .
For NDA 2 2026 (exam in September 2026), candidates should typically be born between January 2, 2008, and January 1, 2011 .
Since you are 16 now and will be going to your second year of intermediate in 2026, you will likely fall within these age brackets.
You need to be appearing in or have passed Class 12 (Intermediate) or an equivalent examination. Since you'll be in your second year of intermediate in 2026, you will be eligible.
For the Army Wing , candidates from any stream (Arts, Commerce, Science) are eligible.
For the Air Force and Naval Wings , you must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in your 12th standard.
Always check the official UPSC NDA notification for 2026 when it is released for the exact and confirmed dates and eligibility criteria.
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, you should be able to get your NDA admit card and sit for the examination. The details mentioned in the NDA form usually get verified with your application records, and on examination day you will be permitted to take valid proof such as your updated Aadhaar card, 10th and 12th marksheets, and date of birth certificate. It should not be a problem so long as you can have your identity verified through various documents, so just ensure you bring the same updated ID proof that you brought to the examination centre.
Hello,
Sorry, but you aren't eligible for the NDA 1 exam in 2026. According to the NDA 1 exam 2026, candidates must be born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010. Means fall outside of this range according to your date of birth. But, you are eligible for the NDA 2 exam in 2026.
I hope it will clear your query!!
Hello student,
No, you will not be eligible for NDA 1 2026 based on your date of birth (30-11-2006). The eligibility criteria for NDA 1 2026 require candidates to be born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010.
Your date of birth falls outside this range. You would be eligible for NDA 2 2026 if you are born between January 2, 2008, and January 1, 2011.
Thank you!!
NDA ke liye minimum age 16.5 saal aur maximum 19.5 saal hoti hai exam ke din tak. Agar aapka janam 10 December 2008 hai to aap 2025 mein hone wale NDA 2 exam ke liye eligible nahi honge. Aap NDA ke liye 2026 se eligible honge.
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