TOEFL ® Registrations 2024
ApplyAccepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries worldwide
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.
NDA Exam: Sample Papers | Preparation Tips | Syllabus
Don't Miss: Month-wise Current Affairs | Upcoming Government Exams
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
Student Also Liked
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 |
Also Read
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. |
Also Read
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 Date:12 April,2025 - 11 May,2025
Advertisement Date:25 April,2025 - 25 April,2025
Advertisement Date:27 May,2025 - 27 May,2025
Advertisement Date:29 July,2025 - 29 July,2025
Hello Ravi,
To prepare for the
NDA (National Defence Academy)
exam, follow these steps:
1. Understand the Exam Pattern
:
Written Exam :
Mathematics : 300 marks
General Ability Test (GAT)
: 600 marks
SSB Interview
: 900 marks
2. Key Subjects for Preparation
:
Mathematics :
Focus on topics like Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Geometry, and Probability.
Refer to NCERT books for Class 11th and 12th.
Practice time management with mock tests.
General Ability Test (GAT) :
English
: Improve vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar.
General Knowledge
: Focus on History, Geography, General Science, and Current Affairs.
Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
: NCERT Class 9-12 books for conceptual understanding.
3. Study Plan
:
Daily Routine : Allocate 3-4 hours for each subject, focusing on weaker areas.
Mock Tests : Regularly attempt mock tests for both Mathematics and GAT.
Revision
: Set aside time for regular revision of topics.
4. Physical Fitness
:
Start physical training early for the SSB Interview, which includes tasks like running, push-ups, and group discussions.
5. Recommended Books
:
Mathematics :
"Mathematics for Class 11 & 12" by R.S. Aggarwal
"Higher Algebra" by Hall and Knight
GAT :
"General Knowledge for NDA" by R.S. Aggarwal
"English for Competitive Examinations" by S.P. Bakshi
6. Important Tips
:
Keep up with current affairs by reading newspapers or magazines like
The Hindu
or
Manorama Yearbook
.
Focus on time management and accuracy during practice.
Stay consistent and avoid procrastination.
With dedicated effort, a solid study plan, and regular practice, you can increase your chances of success in the NDA exam.
For more details about the NDA exam and preparation
CLICK HERE
.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, then feel free to share your questions with us, we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.
Hello,
To be eligible for NDA 2 in 2025 , a candidate must be born between July 2, 2006, and January 1, 2009 (as per the usual age criteria).
Since you were born on December 13, 2006 , you fall within this range , so yes, you are eligible for NDA 2 in 2025.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
No, you will not be eligible for both the NDA exams in 2026 .
For the NDA exam, you need to be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old. If your date of birth is 12th February 2007, you will be 19 years old by February 2026, and you will only be eligible for the NDA exam held in April 2026. You will not be eligible for the NDA exam in September 2026, as you will be over the age limit by then.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
Since you were born on November 17, 2008, you will be eligible for the NDA exam starting when you turn 16 and a half years old. The NDA exam allows candidates between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 years to apply.
Here's how the attempts work for you:
The NDA exam is held twice a year, in April and September.
You will likely be eligible to appear for the exam starting in 2025, when you'll be 16.5 years old.
You can appear for the exam until you turn 19.5 years old, which will be in November 2027.
This means you have a total of 6 attempts available for NDA, from 2025 to 2027.
Hope it helps !
Dear Aspirant,
Unfortunately, after reviewing your details, you are not eligible to participate in the upcoming NDA 2 exam . You mentioned that your date of birth is August 2, 2006. The NDA 2 examination is scheduled to take place in January 2026, and to qualify for this opportunity, candidates must be within the age range of 16.5 to 19.5 years at the time the course begins.
To clarify, the eligibility criteria specify that candidates must be born between January 2, 2007, and January 1, 2010. Since your birthdate falls outside this specified range, you are unfortunately ineligible for NDA 2.
If you have any further questions or need assistance regarding the eligibility requirements, please feel free to reach out.
Accepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries worldwide
Apply for Online M.Com from Manipal University