NDA Full Form - What is full form of NDA?
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.
This Story also Contains
- NDA Full Form - Overview
- What is NDA’s Full Form?
- NDA Post and Responsibility
- NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026
- NDA Exam Pattern 2026
- NDA Syllabus
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 2026 exam.
NDA Full Form - Overview
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 |
What is NDA’s Full Form?
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.
NDA Post and Responsibility
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
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026
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 2026 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.
NDA 2026 eligibility criteria
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
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
The Union Public Service Commission mentioned the exam pattern of NDA in the official UPSC NDA notification. The NDA 2026 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
NDA Exam Pattern
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 | - |
NDA Syllabus
The Commission mentioned 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.
NDA maths and GAT syllabus
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
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When is the NDA 1 2025 exam going to start?
A:
The NDA 1 2025 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026.
Q: What is the minimum education qualification required for the NDA exam?
A:
The minimum academic qualification needed for the NDA exam is class 12th pass.
Q: Who can apply for the NDA exam?
A:
Those who meet the NDA eligibility criteria as mentioned in the article can apply for the NDA exam.
Q: What is the salary after clearing the NDA?
A:
Check the NDA salary for different Ranks in the table below.
NDA salary
Rank | Rank Pay (in Rupees) |
Lieutenant to Major | Lt - Level 10 (Rs 56,100 – Rs 1,77,500) Capt - Level 10 B (Rs 61,300- Rs 1,93,900) Maj - Level 11 (Rs 69,400 – Rs 2,07,200) |
Lieutenant Colonel to Major General | Lt Col - Level 12A (Rs 1,21,200 – Rs 2,12,400) Col - Level 13 (Rs 1,30,600 – Rs 2,15,900) Brig - Level 13A (Rs 1,39,600 – Rs 2,17,600) Maj Gen - Level 14 (Rs 1,44,200 – Rs 2,18,200) |
Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 (Rs 1,82,200 – Rs 2,24,100) |
HAG+ Scale | Level 16 (Rs 2,05,400 – Rs 2,24,400) |
Vice Chief of Army Staff/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 (Rs 2,25,000) |
Chief of Army Staff | Level 18 (Rs 2,50,000) |
Q: What is the NDA full form?
A:
The full form of NDA is the National Defence Academy Examination.
Q: What is the age limit to apply for the NDA exam?
A:
The age limit to apply for the NDA exam is 16.5 to 19.5 years.
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Questions related to NDA
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to NDA ?
Hi dear candidate,
Both the exams are tough in their own way.
NDA tests class and XII level academics along with intense personality as well as physical fitness with SSB. What makes NDA tough is number of competitors and SSB's challenging interview.
UPSC (Civil service) requires vast information about subjective
Hello there,
The NDA (National Defense Academy) Exam, conducted by UPSC twice yearly.
Educational criteria:
- For Army Wing: Candidates must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
- For Air Force and Naval Wings: Candidates must have completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics.
Hey candidate
Joining the National Defence Academy (NDA) directly after 10th is not possible, because the NDA requires candidates to have completed 12th class (10+2) or equivalent. preparation early (General Ability Test + Mathematics).
Here’s a short roadmap from 10th to NDA:
1. After 10th:
Choose Science (Physics & Maths)
Hello,
Knowing Hindi isn't necessary for giving NDA exam. The question papers are bilingual for most sections.
Though you will need Hindi as a language to communicate with other troops. Proficiency in English is required to crack the English paper and interview. Strong English skills is important for SSB and
Hello
Yes, you are eligible as per your DOB (26,09,2006) for both exam NDA1 and NDA2 2025. Your age falls between 16.5 to 19.5 years for the NDA Exam. The NDA 1 exam form was released in December 2025, and the NDA 2 exam for released in May 2026. Those
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