UPSC NDA/NA

• Full form: Union Public Service Commission — National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam
• Exam level: National
• Purpose: Recruitment of future armed forces officers
• Services / academies covered: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy
• Career outcome: Cadet → commissioned officer in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force

UPSC NDA & NA is conducted twice a year. For every cycle, candidates should track the official notification, application window, examination date, admit card release, result, and SSB schedule on UPSC’s website.

• Notification: Released by UPSC for each cycle
• Application start: As per official notification
• Application end: As per official notification
• Exam date: As per official notification
• Admit card: Released before the written exam
• Result: Declared after the written exam and/or after subsequent stages as per UPSC process
• SSB schedule: Communicated after the written exam

Nationality

• Candidate must be an Indian citizen.

Age Limit

• Minimum age: 16.5 years
• Maximum age: 19.5 years

Educational Qualification

• For NDA / Army: 12th pass from a recognized board
• For Air Force / Navy: 12th pass with Physics and Mathematics
• Appearing candidates: Eligible to apply

Gender Eligibility

• Candidates should verify the latest UPSC notification for post-wise and service-wise eligibility conditions before applying.

Physical and Medical Standards

• Candidates must meet the medical and physical standards prescribed for defence training and service entry.
• Final admission depends on clearance in the medical examination after the SSB stage.

Attempts Limit

• No fixed attempt count is provided in the source research.
• Eligibility is governed by the prescribed age limit and other UPSC rules in the notification.

Age Relaxation

Age relaxation is not specified in the source research for this exam. Candidates should check the latest UPSC notification for any official relaxations or special instructions.

Reservation follows Government of India rules and the official recruitment notification.

Category-wise Reservation

• SC: Around 15%
• ST: Around 7.5%
• OBC: Around 27%
• EWS: Around 10%

Horizontal Reservation

• PwD: 4%
• Ex-servicemen
• Women

Notes

• Reservation is applied as per Government policy and the official UPSC notification.
• Any academy- or service-specific conditions must be checked in the notification before applying.

Written Examination

The written test has two papers:

SSB Interview

Final Merit

• Final merit is prepared after the written exam, SSB interview, and medical fitness as per UPSC rules.
• Candidates must clear each stage according to the prescribed standards.

1. Written examination

2. SSB interview

3. Medical examination

4. Merit list

5. Training / admission to NDA or NA

Selection Flow

• Candidates first appear for the written test.
• Shortlisted candidates are called for the SSB interview.
• Those recommended by SSB undergo medical examination.
• Final selection is based on merit and eligibility fulfillment.

Mathematics

The Mathematics paper is based mainly on Class 11 and Class 12 level topics.

• Algebra
• Trigonometry
• Analytical geometry
• Differential calculus
• Integral calculus
• Matrices and determinants
• Statistics and probability
• Vector algebra
• Basic mensuration
• Number systems
• Sets, relations, and functions

General Ability Test (GAT)

The GAT syllabus includes:

• English
• General Knowledge
• Science
• Current Affairs

English

• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Comprehension
• Sentence correction
• Synonyms and antonyms
• Fill in the blanks
• Basic usage and expression

General Knowledge

• Indian history
• Geography
• Polity
• Economy
• Defence-related awareness
• National and international events

Science

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Basic scientific concepts
• Everyday science

Current Affairs

• National news
• International news
• Defence news
• Awards and honours
• Sports
• Important government schemes and developments

Applications are submitted online through UPSC.

Application Steps

1. Register on the UPSC portal

2. Fill in the application form

3. Upload required documents

4. Pay the application fee

5. Submit the form and save the confirmation page

Official Application Portal

• https://upsc.gov.in

• General / OBC / EWS: ₹100
• SC / ST / PwBD: Exempted

Vacancy numbers are published by UPSC in the official notification for each cycle. The post offered is for cadet entry into:

• National Defence Academy
• Naval Academy

Post Names

• Cadet (Army)
• Cadet (Navy)
• Cadet (Air Force)

• During training: Cadet stipend
• After commissioning: ₹56,100 and above in Level 10
• Additional benefits may include MSP and allowances as applicable to service rules

Cutoff marks are declared or inferred from official selection outcomes and vary by cycle and category. Aspirants should check UPSC’s official records and notification updates for the relevant year before relying on any cutoff trend.

A practical preparation plan for UPSC NDA & NA should cover both the written exam and SSB.

Study Plan

• Duration: 4–6 months
• Divide time between:
• Mathematics
• English
• General Knowledge
• Current affairs
• SSB preparation

Subject-wise Tips

• Mathematics: Focus on NCERT Class 11–12 concepts and daily problem practice
• English: Improve grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary
• General Knowledge: Read newspapers regularly and revise NCERT-based concepts
• Current Affairs: Track defence, national, and international events

SSB Preparation

• Practice communication skills
• Work on personality development
• Build confidence in group discussions and interviews
• Stay physically fit for screening and medical standards

Recommended Books and Resources

• NCERT Class 11 and 12 books
• Pathfinder for NDA
• Daily newspaper reading
• Official UPSC syllabus and notification

After commissioning through NDA & NA, candidates can serve in:

• Indian Army
• Indian Navy
• Indian Air Force

Rank Progression

Career growth can continue up to senior leadership ranks such as:

• General
• Admiral
• Air Chief Marshal

• Conducting body: https://upsc.gov.in
• Notification archive: https://upsc.gov.in
• Syllabus PDF: https://upsc.gov.in
• Application portal: https://upsc.gov.in
• Admit card / result: https://upsc.gov.in

1. What is UPSC NDA & NA exam?

UPSC NDA & NA is a national-level entrance exam for admission to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy.

2. Who conducts the UPSC NDA & NA exam?

The exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

3. What is the full form of NDA & NA?

The full form is National Defence Academy & Naval Academy.

4. How many times is UPSC NDA & NA conducted in a year?

It is conducted twice yearly.

5. What is the minimum educational qualification for NDA & NA?

The minimum qualification is 12th pass from a recognized board.

6. Can 12th appearing candidates apply for UPSC NDA & NA?

Yes, appearing candidates are eligible to apply.

7. What is the age limit for UPSC NDA & NA?

The age limit is 16.5 to 19.5 years.

8. Is Indian citizenship required for UPSC NDA & NA?

Yes, Indian citizenship is required.

9. What are the papers in the written exam?

The written exam has two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).

10. What is the exam pattern for UPSC NDA & NA?

The exam has a written stage, SSB interview, medical examination, and final merit preparation.

11. Is there negative marking in the exam?

Yes, there is negative marking of one-third in both written papers.

12. What is the marking scheme for Maths and GAT?

Mathematics carries 300 marks, and GAT carries 600 marks.

13. What is the SSB interview in NDA & NA selection?

The SSB interview is a five-day personality and officer suitability assessment after the written exam.

14. What is the total marks weightage of the SSB interview?

The SSB interview carries 900 marks.

15. What is the medical test after SSB?

It is the medical fitness examination conducted after the SSB stage to check if the candidate meets defence medical standards.

16. What is the syllabus for Mathematics in NDA & NA?

The Mathematics syllabus is based mainly on Class 11 and Class 12 topics such as algebra, calculus, trigonometry, geometry, statistics, and probability.

17. What is included in the GAT syllabus?

GAT includes English, General Knowledge, Science, and Current Affairs.

18. What is the application fee for UPSC NDA & NA?

The application fee is ₹100, while SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempted.

19. What is the salary after joining NDA & NA?

After commissioning, the pay starts at ₹56,100 and above in Level 10, along with MSP and allowances as applicable.

20. What are the career options after clearing NDA & NA?

Candidates can join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force as officers after commissioning.