NDA (National Defence Academy) exam is conducted by UPSC twice every yearly. It is one of the toughest exams in India and one of the most popular among youngsters also. The candidates who clear this hard exam got the chance to join NDA which is situated in Khadakwasla in Pune, Maharastra. NDA is a joint training service academy of armed forces of India where all three forces army, navy, and air force got their candidates, who thereafter join respective their fields as a higher rank officer.
Why NDA ?
NDA is the best career option for those who want to serve their life to the nation. NDA is a challenging career with lots of duties and responsibilities. Every Year in Every Exam more than 5 lakh plus students apply for just 480 seats, so you can understand and feel the level and craze in between students do they have for NDA. NDA gives you the surety of high salary, high pension, job security, respect and many more other benefits also.
NDA is one of the toughest exams definitely but not impossible to clear out also if you have proper preparation, guidance, practice, knowledge then you can definitely crack an NDA exam.
If you have confidence in yourself then it doesn’t matter how much students apply for this exam.
Some Tips that can help you:-
👉Make time table for all subjects
👉Do regular studies
👉Do written practice as much as you can
👉Make notes of important topics
👉Clear your basic concepts and doubts.
👉Keep maintain your body fit
👉Do yoga and exercise for mind peace
So these are some tips that can help you to crack an NDA Exam.
CDS (Combined Defence Service) is also the option for the students who want to join the Indian armed forces. This exam is also conducted by the UPSC for the recruitment of cadets into the Indian Military Academy, Officers Training Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Indian Air Force Academy.
Benefits after selection in NDA :
👉High salary (A career in NDA offers a very bright future for students who have completed their schooling or graduation and searching for Jobs after 12th in Defence. Salary of NDA can be as high as other jobs like Engineering, Medical, C.A or lectureship fields.)
👉Pension after retirement
👉Job security
👉Respectful and challenging job as well
👉Posting as a high-rank officer
👉Service to nation
👉Training and trips in different states and countries
Eligibility Criteria To Join NDA:
Only male candidates (unmarried) are allowed to appear for the test. The Age of the Applicants should be in between 16.5 to 19 years of age.
Educational Requirements
1. For Army Wing: A candidate who wants to join the Army Wing should have passed the 10+2 exam in any stream.
2. For Navy: A candidate should have passed 10+2 exam in science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Maths as their basic subjects.
3. For Air Force: A candidate should have passed 10+2 exam in science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Maths as their basic subjects.
Physical Requirement Height (Minimum):
1. Army wings: 157.5 cms
2. Navy Wings: 157 cms
3. Air Force: 162.5 cms
4. Chest of the candidate should be well developed and should not be less than 81 cms.
What's included in the Training At NDA
Cadets who are selected for the posts are first well trained before they are ready to join the respective armed forces. Training period consists of three years.
The Cadets are divided into different Battalions. The NDA course is for three years and is split into six semesters. In these three years of intensive training, cadets are prepared to be strong physically, mentally and also through activities like the drill, horse riding, swimming etc.
This course in education covers all subjects like science, Technology, Arts and Military Subjects. When the course ends the candidate is awarded a bachelors degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Also, the stipend offered to the candidate after getting selected in the interviews for NDA is of Rs.15,600/- as pay in the pay band plus grade pay of Rs 5,400/- which becomes a total of 21,000/-
Army Cadets - The training is given for a period of 4 years. 3 years at NDA, Pune and 1 year at IMA (Indian Military Academy), Dehradun.
Naval Cadets - The training is given for a period of 4 years. 3 years at NDA, Pune and 1 year at the Naval Academy, Kerala
Air Force Cadets - The training is given for the period of 4 and ½ years.3 years at NDA, Pune and 1 and ½ years at air force Academy, Hyderabad.
(After the completion of the training programs, NDA cadets are awarded the following degrees:
Army Cadets – B.Sc./ B.Sc. (Computer) /BA / B.Tech degree
Naval Cadets – B.Tech degree
Air Force Cadets – B.Tech degree
They all are assigned the rank of a Lieutenant.)
Eventual Growth of Rank:
Army- Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, General and Field Marshal
Navy- Sub-lieutenant, lieutenant, lieutenant Commander, Commander, Captain, Commodore, Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral and Admiral of the Fleet.
Air Force- Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant, squadron leader, Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Commodore, Air Vice Marshal, Air Marshal, Air Chief Marshal and Marshal of the Air Force.
Salary Package:
NDA gives very good salary package starting from the training itself. NDA doesn't only provides good salary it gives so much of other facilities that you will hardly require to spend anywhere like for travelling in railways or for your children's studies or medical facilities for yourself as well as your family members. Besides the salary of NDA, there are numerous other allowances provided from time to time.
| Positions | Salary |
|---|---|
| Stipend | INR 56,100/- Per Month |
| Lieutenant | INR 56,100/- to INR 1,77, 500/- Per Month |
| Captain | INR 61,300/- to 01,93,900/- Per Month |
| Major | INR 69,400/- to 02,07,200/- Per Month |
| Lieutenant Colonel | INR 01,21,200/- to 02,12,400/- Per Month |
| Colonel | INR 01,30,600/- to 02,15,900/- Per Month |
| Brigadier | INR 01,39,600/- to 02,17,600/- Per Month |
| Major General | INR 01,44,200/- to 02,18,200/- Per Month |
| Lt. General HAG Scale | INR 01,82,200/- to 02,24,100/- Per Month |
| HAG+ Scale | INR 02,05,400/- To 02,24,400/- Per Month |
| VCOAS/ Army Cdr/ Lt Gen (NFSG) | INR 02,25,000/- Per Month Fixed |
| COAS | INR 02,50,000/- Per Month Fixed |
Facilities provided to your Family and assured future:
There will be numerous facilities available for the Cadets like free medical facilities, for your children free school facilities, loan facilities which include for home, car etc. free air ticket etc. Also, you get the chance to enjoy the benefits related to sports where you will have access to swimming pools, tennis courts, golf club and squash courts etc.
Candidates will be liable for insurance of INR 15 Lacs/- after paying a one-time payment of INR 6400/- for 3 years.
The Insurance will provide a cover of INR 7.5 lacs to the candidates who are invalidated out from NDA by IMB as disabled candidates. Also, if they are not entitled to any pension and the disability is 100%.
In the case of 20% of the disability, the insurance coverage amount will be reduced to INR 1.5 Lacs.
Candidates are eligible for after service benefits like Pension, Gratuity, and Casualty pensionary award as per the rules applicable after their retirement.
NDA Career Opportunities for Foreign Tasks:
A career in NDA gives you have numerous opportunities to go to a foreign country and also provide a relaxed place for your work. Also, if you are a master’s degree, officer’s get the opportunity of getting a degree from reputed Colleges of Defence.
Best books for NDA Preparation:
1. NCERT 10th and 12th Mathematics and science books
2. NDA and Naval Academy By RS Aggarwal
3. General Knowledge & Current Affairs
4. NDA & NA Entrance Examination: Solved Papers
NDA Syllabus
The
NDA syllabus has 2 sections i.e. Mathematics and General
Ability.
The
detailed syllabus for both the sections is given below:
Mathematics syllabus of NDA:
1.
ALGEBRA:
Concept
of set, operations on sets, Venn diagrams. De Morgan laws. Cartesian product, relation,
equivalence relation. Representation of real numbers on a line.
Maple
numbers – basic properties, modulus, argument, cube roots of unity. Binary
system of numbers. Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system
and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic
equations with real coefficients. The solution of linear in equations of two
variables by graphs. Permutation and Combination. Binomial theorem and its
applications. Logarithms and their Applications.
2.
MATRICES
AND DETERMINANTS:
Types
of matrices, operations on matrices. The
determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants. Adjoin and inverse
of a square matrix, Applications – Solution of a system of linear equations in
two or three unknowns by Cramer’s rule and by Matrix Method.
3.
TRIGONOMETRY:
Angles
and their measures in degrees and in radians. Trigonometrically ratios.
Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple
angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications – Height and distance,
properties of triangles.
4.
ANALYTICAL
GEOMETRY OF TWO AND THREE DIMENSIONS:
Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system. Distance
formula. Equation of a line in various forms. The angle between the two lines.
The distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and in
general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity
and axis of a conic. The point in a three-dimensional space, distance between
two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of a plane and a
line in various forms. The angle between the two lines and the angle between
the two planes. Equation of a sphere.
5.
DIFFERENTIAL
CALCULUS:
Concept
of a real-valued function – domain, range, and graph of a function. Composite
functions, one to one, onto and inverse functions. Notion of limit, Standard
limits – examples. Continuity of functions – examples, algebraic operations on
continuous functions. Derivative of function at a point, geometrical and
physical interpretation of a derivative – applications. Derivatives of sum,
product and quotient of functions, the derivative of a function with respect to
another function, the derivative of a composite function. Second-order
derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in
problems of maxima and minima.
6.
INTEGRAL
CALCULUS AND DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS:
Integration
as inverse of differentiation, integration by substitution and by parts,
standard integrals involving algebraic expressions, trigonometric, exponential
and hyperbolic functions. Evaluation of definite integrals – determination of
areas of plane regions bounded by curves – applications. Definition of order
and degree of a differential equation, formation of a differential equation by
examples. General and particular solution of differential equations, solution
of the first order and first-degree differential equations of various types –
examples. Application in problems of growth and decay.
7.
VECTOR
ALGEBRA:
Vectors
in two and three dimensions, magnitude and direction of a vector. Unit and null
vectors, the addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar
product or dot product of two vectors. Vector product or cross product of two
vectors. Applications-work did by a force and moment of a force and in
geometrical problems.
8.
STATISTICS
AND PROBABILITY:
Statistics:
Classification of data, Frequency distribution, And cumulative frequency
distribution – examples. Graphical representation – Histogram, Pie Chart,
frequency polygon – examples. Measures of Central tendency – Mean, median and mode.
Variance and standard deviation – determination and comparison. Correlation and
regression. Probability: Random experiment, outcomes and associated sample
space, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, impossible and certain
events. Union and Intersection of events. Complementary, elementary and
composite events. Definition of probability – classical and statistical –
examples. Elementary theorems on probability – simple problems. Conditional
probability, Bayes’ theorem – simple problems. Random variable as function on a
sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise
to Binominal distribution.
General
Ability:
The general ability section consists of 7
subjects that are Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography,
English, Current events.
The detailed syllabus is mentioned below:
1.
Physics:
Physics
Syllabus highlight:
Physical
Properties and States of Matter Force
and Momentum Reflection and
refraction
Density
and Specific Gravity Stability and
Equilibrium of bodies Spherical
mirrors and Lenses
Principle
of Archimedes Gravitation Human Eye Pressure
Barometer Power and Energy Properties of a Magnet Motion of objects Effects of Heat Static and Current Electricity
Velocity
and Acceleration Sound waves and
their properties Ohm’s Law
Newton’s
Laws of Motion Rectilinear
propagation of Light Simple
Electrical Circuits
Heating,
Lighting and Magnetic effects of Current Measurement
of Electrical Power Use of X-Rays
Details in Physics level:
Physical
Properties and States of Matter, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density, and Specific
Gravity, Principle of Archimedes, Pressure Barometer. The motion of objects,
Velocity and Acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force and Momentum,
Parallelogram of Forces, Stability and Equilibrium of bodies, Gravitation,
elementary ideas of work, Power and Energy. Effects of Heat, Measurement of
temperature and heat, change of State and Latent Heat, Modes of transference of
Heat. Sound waves and their properties, Simple musical instruments. Rectilinear
propagation of Light, Reflection, and refraction. Spherical mirrors and Lenses.
Human Eye. Natural and Artificial Magnets, Properties of a Magnet, Earth as a
Magnet. Static and Current Electricity, conductors and Non-conductors, Ohm’s
Law, Simple Electrical Circuits, Heating, Lighting and Magnetic effects of
Current, Measurement of Electrical Power, Primary and Secondary Cells, Use of
X-Rays. General Principles in the working of the following: Simple Pendulum,
Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker,
Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope,
Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightening Conductors, Safety Fuses.
2.
Chemistry:
Chemistry syllabus Highlight:
Preparation
and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and
Reduction. Acids, bases, and salts Atomic
Equivalent and Molecular Weights Symbols,
Formulae and simple Chemical Equation
Different
forms of carbon Valency Law of Chemical Combination
Fertilizers—Natural
and Artificial Elements Mixtures and Compounds
Structure
of Atom Physical and Chemical
Changes Properties of Air and
Water
Details
in Chemistry syllabus:
Physical
and Chemical changes. Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Symbols, Formulae and
simple Chemical Equations, Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems).
Properties of Air and Water. Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen,
Nitrogen and Carbon dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction. Acids, bases, and salts.
Carbon – different forms. Fertilizers – Natural and Artificial Material used in
the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints,
Safety Matches, and Gun-Powder. Elementary ideas about the Structure of Atom,
Atomic, Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Valency.
3.
General
Science:
General Science Highlight:
Common
Epidemics, their causes, and prevention Difference
between the living and non-living
Food—Source
of Energy for man Basis of
Life—Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues
Constituents
of food Growth and Reproduction in
Plants and Animals
Balanced
Diet Elementary knowledge of Human Body
and its important organs
The
Solar System Achievements of
Eminent Scientists
Details
in General Science Syllabus:
Difference
between living and non- living. Basis of Life – Cells, Protoplasms, and
Tissues. Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals. Elementary knowledge of
the Human Body and its important organs. Common Epidemics, their causes, and
prevention. Food – Source of Energy for man. Constituents of food, Balanced
Diet. The Solar System – Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent
Scientists.
4.
History:
Exploration
and Discovery: War of American Independence, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution,
and Russian Revolution Freedom
Movement in India
United
Nations, Panchsheel, Democracy, Socialism, and Communism Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration
Role
of India in the present world Panchayati
Raj
Basic
Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi Co-operatives
and Community Development
A
broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National
Integration and Welfare State
Details
in History syllabus:
A
broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilizations.
Freedom Movement in India. Elementary study of Indian Constitution and
Administration. Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India. Panchayati
Raj, Co-operatives and Community Development. Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National
Integration and Welfare State, Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Forces
shaping the modern world; Renaissance, Exploration, and Discovery; War of
American Independence. French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and the
Russian Revolution. Impact of Science and Technology on Society. Concept of one
World, United Nations, Panchsheel, Democracy. Socialism and Communism. Role of
India in the present world.
5. Geography:
The syllabus of geography contents the topic like
The
Earth, its shape and size Temperature
and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones and Anticyclones, Humidity,
Condensation and Precipitation
Latitudes
and Longitudes Types of Climate
International
Date Line Major Natural Regions
of the World
Origin
of Earth. Rocks and their classification Regional
Geography of India: Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources;
location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities
Weathering—Mechanical
and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes Important
Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India
Ocean
Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition Main items of Imports and Exports of India
6.
English: the question Spotting Errors, Ordering of Words in a Sentence, Sentence Improvement, Antonyms, Synonyms
7.
Current
Events:
Important
and Recent Events in India
Important
Indian or Non-Indian Personalities related to Cultural Activities and Sports
Current
important world events
NDA Exam Pattern
Exam mode: Offline
Duration: 5 hours
Types of questions: Objective type (MCQs)
Total questions: 270
Total marks: 900(Mathematics – 300, General Ability test – 600), SSB Interview will be of 900 marks
Exam language: English and Hindi
Negative marking: 1/3rd of the
allotted mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer
Mark
Distribution:
Subject Code Total
Questions Time Duration Maximum Marks
Mathematics 1 120 2 hrs
and 30 min 300
General
Ability Test (GAT) 2 150 2
hrs and 30 min 600
Total 5 hours 900
Marking
Scheme:
Subject Marks awarded for a correct answer Marks deducted for an incorrect answer
Mathematics 4 1.33
General
Ability Test (GAT) 2.5 0.83
Exam
Pattern for Services Selection Board (SSB (Interview)
The SSB Interview is divided into two
stages.
Candidates qualifying the Stage 1 are called for Stage 2 exam.
Stage 1 of SSB Interview comprises
Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description
Test (PP&DT).
Stage 2 comprises Group Testing Officer
Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference.
Subjects Maximum marks Duration
Mathematics 300 2.5 hours
English
200 2.5 hours
General
knowledge 400 2.5 hours
Practice makes a man perfect.
Best Wishes 🙏