NDA common FAQs – Answered

General FAQs

What are the avenue available to me to become officer at intermediate level?

National Defence Acadamy (NDA) and 10+2 TES entries are available.

Q. What is NDA?

The National Defence Academy is a joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force get training together before they go on to pre-commissioning training in their respective service academies. It is the first tri-service academy in the world. The place which is made to change boys into men. The cradle of military leadership.

Candidates for NDA are selected through a written examination, SSB and personal interview which is held twice a year in the months of April and November. About, 320,000 candidates apply for the examination every year.

See also: Army rank wise salary

Q. Is there a need to get prior permission to visit NDA? If yes then how? I am planning to take my kid to NDA ?

If you are planning a visit on Sunday then it is not necessary to get the prior permission. Visitors are allowed after due verification. But, at the same time, there is a possibility of restriction on entrance when there are some activities going inside the campus.

Q. What is NDA exam?

To join National Defence Academy, a candidate must appear in the entrance exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission which is known as NDA exam. It is conducted twice a year. The UPSC is solely responsible for issuing guidelines for selection and the final conduct of the entrance examination. The NDA exam comprises of 3 levels, the written examination, SSB and personal interview.

Q. How many wings comes under NDA ?

There are 3 wings that comes under NDA. They are Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian army. All the cadets from three wings joining the NDA after their 10+2 Examination are trained in the Academy for three years culminating in graduation and get their degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Apart from this, they also get trained in outdoor skills.

Q. How many times a student can apply for NDA ?

The required age limits for the NDA Examination is 16.5 to 19 years. So, at maximum, a person can take 3 attempts for this exam.

Q. What is the fees of NDA Examination ?

Applicants are required to pay Rs 100 as fees either by depositing the money in any Branch of SBI by cash, or by using net banking facility of State Bank of India/ State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur/ Sate Bank of Hyderabad/State Bank of Mysore/State Bank of Patiala /State Bank of Travancore or by using Visa/Master Credit / Debit Card. There is a fees exemption for SC/ST/PH Applicants/ Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs.

How many seats are available as per the NDA exam?

Basically, it varies from year to year. Like, last year, in 2016, the total number of seats in NDA & NA II were 375, out of which, there were 208 seats for Army, 42 for Navy, 70 for Air Force, 55 for Naval Academy.

Which is a better entry NDA or TES?

NDA is for National Defence Academy and TES stands for Technical Entry Scheme.

First of all, one should know that NDA is for all streams, while for TES only students with 75% aggregate in PCM can apply.

For TES entry, you have to directly appear for your SSB while for NDA you need to first clear the written exam.

In terms of future prospective and life thereafter, i will suggest to aim for TES, as the technical officers have upper hand over other officers when it comes to pay packages as they receive an extra Technical allowances.

What are some mind blowing facts about Indian armed forces?

It will take more than a life to answer this question. Still, there are some facts about Indian armed forces which will surely blow your mind.

• The Baily Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.
• Sepoy Kamal Ram of Royal Indian Army was the youngest Indian to receive Victoria Cross for his valor in WW2 at just the age of 19.

What should I do to become a doctor in Indian Armed Forces ?

The Armed Force Medical Services is one among the best options available to a medical graduate in our country. AFMS promises both professional and personal growth at every stage of the career. Applications are invited from Indian citizens both male and female, twice a year. Medically fit candidates are granted commission subject to verification procedures as deemed necessary and required for commissioning.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for NDA Examination ?

Aspirants fulfilling below mentioned criteria are eligible for the NDA examination.

Eligibility	Constrains
Age limit	17 – 19½ years
Education Qualification	12th pass or appearing
Marital status	Unmarried

Apart from it, one must be an Indian citizen or a subject of Bhutan or Nepal. A Tibetan refugee who must have come back to India before 1st January 1962 for residing here permanently is also eligible to apply for the NDA examination.

Why girls are not eligible for NDA ?

NDA train cadets for Permanent Commission (PC) in the Army, Navy and Air Force. At present, women are eligible only for Short Service Commission (SSC). Presently in India, only male candidates are eligible for permanent commission. However, permanent commission of female candidates has been already proposed but not approved as yet. Still, there are other entries like OTA, NCC, etc.

What is the selection criteria of NDA ?

The selection procedure is based on Written Test & SSB Interview. The exam constitute of 2 subjects, Maths and General Ability Test and each subject is given the time limit 2 ½ Hours, maximum marks for Maths is 300 & General ability is 600. Qualified candidates in the written examination will be called for Interview conducted by SSB. The SSB procedure consists of two stage Selection process, stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception Description Test  and stage II.

Is it harder to pass out from NDA than the IMA ?

No. It is more sorted to pass from NDA than the IMA.  In NDA, you have to pass so many tests in 3 years. Thus, the probability of failing becomes higher. PT, swimming, Academics, Drill, Discipline, etc. And, then there is constant performance pressure in every field. Danger of getting injured in any activity that can ensure medical boarding out. All these things make NDA a very fast paced and high performance oriented academy for all three years.

In IMA, many things get relaxed and the pace is much slower. The biggest proof of this argument can be seen from the number of relegation and drop outs that happens in both academies.

Application Procedure

How to fill the Application form of NDA examination ?

Earlier, it used to be an offline process but from past, 7-8 years, the application form of NDA examination is available in online mode. The Procedure comprises of two steps. In the very first step, you have to fill the online application and in the second step, remitting a payment against application fee of Rupees 100 is done.

See also: NDA online application form

When can I apply for NDA exam conducted by UPSC?

The NDA Examination is held twice a Year. Generally, conducted by UPSC in the month of April and September.
Forms are available in the month of January and June which has to be filled online by the aspirants.

Will it create a problem if I fill up two forms for NDA exam ?

No, it will not create any problem. You can fill an another application form different email id. It will be accepted by the authority.

Do I need to inform the authority about filling up two forms?

No. There is no need to inform the authority about the mistake that you have committed in filling up the form or you have filled an another form.

Can I fill another form if I make mistake in one form?

The Answer is yes. You can fill another form, in case you have accidentally made a mistake in your current form. All you need is a different email ID. UPSC do not accept application forms from same email ID more than once. However, you need to be very careful while filling up your form to avoid any mistakes.

Is it compulsory to upload picture/signature/thumb impression?

Yes. It is compulsory while filling up the form for NDA examination. In some other exams of UPSC, it is not necessary to do this but for NDA, you have to upload picture along with signature and thumb impression and that is too in the correct resolution which is mentioned on the form.

How do I resize my photo?

This is very necessary to resize your photo as per the guidelines of resolution given in the application form. To resize the photo or signature in an easiest way, you need to open the picture using MS-Paint. Go to ‘resize’ option in toolbar present on the top. A resize and skew box will appear. In the resize part of the box, click on ‘Pixels’ option. Uncheck the ‘maintain aspect ratio’ option. Now enter the required pixel size. It is done.

Is it necessary to take a print of the submitted application form?

Though it is not mandatory. Still, i would recommend you to take a print out for the record. By doing this, you can easily refer to the information you have filled and all the options you chose. It is also a kind of proof that you have submitted your application for the NDA exam.

Admit Card

How to get the admit card for the exam?

Eligible candidates are issued an admit card three weeks before the commencement of the examination on the official website of UPSC. You have to download it from there. No admit card will be sent through post.

Is it compulsory to have a colored admit card?

No, it is not necessary to have a colored admit card. You can get it in black and white also.

Written Exam

What is the pattern and syllabus of NDA written exam?

The NDA written Examination comprises a total of 900 marks which is further divided into two parts, Mathematics which consists of 300 Marks and General Ability Test which comprises of 600 Marks. The syllabus of Mathematics include Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry of two and three dimensions, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Statistics and Probability. Further, the General Ability Test include two parts. The first part, English comprising of 50 questions of 200 marks and Part two, comprises of 100 questions in 400 marks which include Physics(100 marks), Chemistry(60 marks), General Science(40 marks), Indian History & Freedom Movement in India(80 marks), Political Science and Geography(80 marks) and Current Events(40 marks).

Do the results of class 12th somewhat help for NDA selection?

No. Not directly. Although, the conducting authority, UPSC do not ask for your score in academics, but it still matters as if you’ve prepared really well for 12th boards, you’ll end up scoring good in the Mathematics part of NDA written exam. In the SSB, there will be more expectations from you because you’re a good scholar and you’ll be seen as a dedicated and hard worker. However, the probability of taking these marks into consideration as a sole criteria for selection is zero.

What one has to do after clearing NDA written exam?

Once you get the result in 3-4 months after clearing the written exam, there will be a call from SSB, if you are selected. Then after 2-3 months, you will have to head to the SSB center.

Will UPSC deduct marks for bad handwriting ?

No. Not really. The NDA written exam is objective and thus, there is nothing relate to good or bad handwriting. But, when it comes to answer in the SSB round, then one must understand the value of good handwriting. At least, it should be readable. Writing neatly doesn’t mean that one need to be a calligrapher but a legible writing is important.

Which category of candidates is exempted from payment of Examination fee?

SC/ST candidates / Sons of JCOs / NCOs / ORs are exempted from the payment of Examination fee.

What is meant by ‘fictitious payment’?

Fictitious payment is the list of candidates whose fee payment confirmations were not received by UPSC. Your candidature won’t be cancelled. Only, you just have to prove that you did pay the fee.

SSB

What are the maximum chances I can avail for SSB interview?

There is no limit laid down. You can appear for SSB interviews upto the permissible age.

Can I appear in SSB without Aadhar number?

You may apply, but you are advised to obtain the same at the earliest and update it in your profile for ease in bio-metric identification during selection.

My friends got the call letter for SSB. But, i have not. What can i do ?

You can check your interview dates on the official website of NDA and report for interview accordingly. A sample call letter can be downloaded.

What Travelling allowance is authorized to me for my journey to and fro from my house to SSB Centre?

Travelling cost upto 3 Tier AC fare for train from your home station to SSB Centre and back is admissible and payable at SSB Centre. For bus journey, normal government bus fare will be admissible.

If I receive my SSB interview date once, it is possible to fix the same at any other time?

Yes, If you are unable to attend the SSB interview due to unavoidable circumstance, you can write/speak on tele to the concerned Selection Centre from where you have got the call. They will give you another date for SSB interview.

Will I get any compensation if I get injured during Service Selection Board (SSB) interview?

No compensation will be paid in respect to any injury sustained as a result of test conducted at SSB.

Can i bring mobile phone in SSB ?

No, Mobile and Cameras are strictly prohibited in the Selection Centre premises. However, you can utilize the STD facility on payment at the Centre.

My sister’s marriage has been fixed a day prior to my reporting at your centre. Can I get a second chance?

Yes, you can write/speak to the concerned Selection Centre about your problem and get the date extended. You can also mail them.

What will be boarding and lodging charges during my stay at your centre?

Your boarding and lodging is free of cost during your stay at Selection Centre.

I have my local relatives in the station. Can I be permitted to stay there and attend the interview from there?

No, you have to stay within the premises of the Selection Centre. However, you are permitted to go outside the Selection Centre during your stay.

Can I take SSB Interview in Hindi?

Yes, but not at a full stretch, I mean you can’t talk Hindi alone. If you get struck in English, you can talk in Hindi but you should come back to English as soon as possible.

Life At NDA

How is life at NDA ?

The National Defence Academy is an iconic institution which has been emerged as a unique military academy attracting the best of youth from our nation and transforming them into officers and gentlemen. So, one can imagine the harshness of life in NDA where there is a molding of an individual. To become top rank soldiers in one of the most prestigious military academies in the world, one has to go through so much of difficult situations. The life in NDA is Mentally tough & Physically hard. Their level of discipline is at the extreme and soldiers are trained physically,mentally & socially in 3 years.
At first, training will seem no less than a torture. You will have to wake up at 3:30 am and sometimes, will get to feel like Prisoner of war. And then you will want to go back home, see your relatives, try living the so-called cherished life again. And if you try running away, you will be brought back, AT ANY COST.
Is it possible to have a girlfriend in NDA ?

Yes, why not? It is all up to you that how much trust you have in your relationship.  You don’t get to talk for days in row. Patience and love plays major role here. It is very difficult to maintain the relationship but not impossible. But, i think, one must be more concerned toward his career instead of girlfriend.

Is camera or photography allowed in the campus ?

You can carry a camera with you and take shots at some locations but at the same time, there are some locations which are prohibited. You must consult with the Admin or Security staff to get the details, so that you can avoid punishment. Violation of rules could lead to punitive action.

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