NDA INFORMATION
Defence Exams in India
It is highly prestigious for an individual to serve the nation by being part of the Indian Armed Forces. More than 5 lakhs students appear every year for various exams conducted by the UPSC to join the most coveted and respectable jobs in India. Through these defence exams, the candidates are selected for Indian Defence Academies like Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, Officer’s Trainer Academy (OTA) in Chennai and Gaya, etc.
Want to fulfill the dream to be in the Defence Forces in India?
Read in detail about the different Defence exams conducted by UPSC and others.
1. UPSC NDA & NA
National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA & NA) exam is held twice in a year for the students appearing in the 12th board exam or have completed the intermediate level. An offline exam is conducted followed by an SSB interview; after successfully clearing these two stages the candidates undergo a three-year course in NDA, Khadakwasala.
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2022: NationalityTo apply for NDA, candidates must be 1) A citizen of India or 2) A subject of Nepal or 3) A subject of Bhutan or 4) A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India or 5) A person originally Indian who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India Provided that a candidate belonging to categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 must be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Indian government. A certificate of eligibility is not required for Gorkha candidates from Nepal |
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2022: Age Limit
The age limit of candidates should be as given below:
- For NDA 2, candidates must have born not earlier than January 2, 2002, and not later than January 1, 2005
- For NDA 1, candidates should be born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2006
- The commission will accept the date of birth that is entered into Class 10 or 12 certificates
- Candidates need to submit these certificates after the declaration of the result of the written exam
NDA Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualification
The educational qualification prescribed for admission to the different academies is given below.
| The Army wing of NDA | Passed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board |
| The Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet entry scheme at INA | Passed Class 12 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics |
- Candidates who are appearing in Class 12 or equivalent examination can apply
- Candidates appearing in Class 11 exam are not eligible
NDA Eligibility Criteria: Marital Status
Only unmarried male and female candidates can apply for the exam. Candidates should not marry until they complete their training. Candidates who marry during the training will be discharged and have to refund all expenditure spend on them by the government.
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2022: Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical standards for the NDA exam.
Height & Weight for Army and Air Force
The minimum height prescribed is 157 cms (For Air Force it is 162.5 cms). Certain exceptions are applicable for candidates based on the region from where they belong.
| Height (in cms) | Weight (in kgs) | ||
| 16-17 years | 17-18 years | 18-19 years | |
| 152 | 42.5 | 44.0 | 45.0 |
| 155 | 43.5 | 45.3 | 47.0 |
| 157 | 45.0 | 47.0 | 48.0 |
| 160 | 46.0 | 48.0 | 49.0 |
| 162 | 48.0 | 50.0 | 51.0 |
| 165 | 50.0 | 52.0 | 53.0 |
| 167 | 51.0 | 53.0 | 54.0 |
| 170 | 52.5 | 55.0 | 56.0 |
| 173 | 54.5 | 57.0 | 58.0 |
| 175 | 56.0 | 59.0 | 60.0 |
| 178 | 58.0 | 61.0 | 62.0 |
| 180 | 60.0 | 63.0 | 64.5 |
| 183 | 62.5 | 65.0 | 66.5 |
For Gorkhas and candidates belonging to hills of North-Eastern areas of India, Garhwal, and Kumaon, the minimum height will be 5 cms less than the figure mentioned above. For candidates belonging to Lakshadweep, the minimum height standard is reduced by 2 cms.
Height and Weight requirements for Navy
| Height (In cms) | Weight (in kgs) | ||
| 16 years | 18 years | 20 years | |
| 152 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| 155 | 45 | 46 | 47 |
| 157 | 46 | 47 | 49 |
| 160 | 47 | 48 | 50 |
| 162 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
| 165 | 50 | 52 | 53 |
| 167 | 52 | 53 | 55 |
| 170 | 53 | 55 | 57 |
| 173 | 55 | 57 | 59 |
| 175 | 57 | 59 | 61 |
| 178 | 59 | 61 | 62 |
| 180 | 61 | 63 | 64 |
| 183 | 63 | 65 | 67 |
Candidates who wish to be pilot need to fulfill the following requirements.
- Leg Length:The minimum of 99 cms and maximum of 120 cms
- Thigh Length:Maximum of 64 cms
- Sitting Height:The minimum of 81.50 cms and maximum is 96 cms
Visual Standards
- The distance vision (corrected) of candidates should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye
- Myopia should not be more than 2.5 D
- Hyper metropia not more than 3.5 D including astigmatism
- Air Force candidates must not wear spectacles
Candidates can check below the visual standards for Navy and Air Force.
| Specification | Naval | Air Force |
| Uncorrected without glass | 6/6 | 6/6, 6/9 |
| Corrected with glass | 6/6 | 6/6 (only for Hypermetropia) |
| Limits of Myopia | -0.75 | Nil |
| Limits of Hypermetropia | +1.5 | +2.00 D Sph |
| Limits of Colour Perception | I | Nil |
| Binocular Vision | III | Nil |
| Manifest Myopia | N.A. | Nil Re |
| Tinoscopic Myopia | N.A. | 0.5 |
| Colour Vision | N.A. | CP-I (MLT) |
| Astigmatism | N.A. | +0.75 Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max) |
| Near Vision | N.A. | N-5 each eye |
Candidates must not suffer from any of the following minor conditions:
- Wax (Ears)
- Deviated Nasal Septum
- Hydrocele / Phimosis
- Condition of Overweight / Underweight
- Under Sized Chest
- Piles
- Tonsillitis
- Gynaecomastia
- Varicocele
Guidelines regarding Tattoos
- Candidates must ensure that any permanent body tattoos should be present only on their inner side of forearm
- Under no circumstances, UPSC accepts tattoos on the inside of the elbow to the wrist and on the reverse side of palm/back (dorsal) side of the hand
- Permanent body tattoos on any other part of the body are also not acceptable
- In case a candidate belongs to a tribe where it is customary to have tattoo, acceptance will be granted considering the traditions involved
Spinal Conditions
Candidates must not have the following diseases:
- Granulomatous disease of spine
- Arthritis/spondylosis (Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders / Ankylosing spondylitis/ Osteoarthrosis, spondylosis and degenerative joint disease / Non-articular rheumatism (e.g. lesions of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, recurrent lumbago etc.) & Miscellaneous disorders including SLE, polymyositis, vasculitis
- Spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis
- Compression fracture of vertebrae
- SC Heuerman’s disease (Adolescent kyphosis)
- Loss of cervical lordosis when associated with clinically restricted movements of cervical spine
- Unilateral / Bilateral cervical ribs with demon stable neurological or circulatory deficit
- Scoliosis more than 15 degree as measured by Cobb’s method
- Degenerative Disc. disease
- Presence of Schmorl’s nodes at more than one level
- Atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial anomalies
- Hemi vertebrae and/or incomplete block (fused) vertebrae at any level in cervical, dorsal or lumbar spine and complete block (fused) vertebrae at more than one level in cervical or dorsal spine
- Unilateral Sacralisation or lumbarisation (Complete or incomplete) at all levels and bilateral incomplete sacralisation or lumbarisation
- Any other abnormality if so considered by the specialist
X-Ray Exam
Any of the following conditions will disqualify the candidature of candidates:
- Granulomatous disease of spine
- Arthritis / spondylosis
- Scoliosis more than 15 degree as measured by Cobb’s Method (10 degree for Army and Navy)
- More than mild Kyphosis/Lordosis
- Spondylolisthesis / Spondylosis / Spondylolysis
- Herniated nucleus pulposes
- Compression fracture of Vertebra
- Sacralisation Disease
- Cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or Circulatory deficit
- Presence of Schmorl’s node at more than one level
- Atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial anomalies
- Incomplete Sacralisation Unilateral or Bilateral
- Spina Bifida other than SV 1 and LV 5 if completely Sacralised
- Any other abnormality, if so considered by specialist
Other medical conditions
- There should not be any symptoms of the weak constitution or bodily defects
- Candidates must have a well-developed chest
- The function of the bones or joints should be good
- No history of medical breakdown or fits
- Candidates must have normal hearing capabilities
- No impediment of speech
- Normal blood pressure with no signs of heart disease or blood vessel disease
- No liver or spleen enlargement
- No abnormalities in urine
- No skin diseases
- No abnormalities in USG abdomen examination
- A sufficient number of natural and sound teeth
- Routine ECG for Air Force candidates must fall within normal limits
NDA Syllabus 2022– National Defence Academy (NDA) is the Joint Services academy of the Indian Armed Forces. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam every year. NDA is a national-level exam conducted twice a year. This is one of the most sought-after defence jobs in India to join the Defence Forces as an Officer by the male candidates. The selection of eligible males & females into NDA will be done on the basis of the written test followed by the Personality Test.
NDA Syllabus 2022
NDA written examination is divided into two papers namely Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The boys and girls who are seeking to apply for NDA 2022 must begin their preparation for the written exam by following the detailed NDA Syllabus 2022 which has been discussed in this article. The NDA 1 Exam is to be conducted offline on 10th April 2022 and NDA 2 Exam will be held on 04th September 2022 as per the UPSC Calendar 2022.
NDA Syllabus 2022- Overview
Check the important points of the 22 Syllabus and Exam Pattern in the table below.
| Name of the Exam | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission, UPSC. |
| Frequency Of Exam | Twice in a Year (April & September 2022) |
| Selection Process |
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| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Papers in NDA Exam |
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| Marks Segregation |
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| Total No. of Questions |
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| Negative Marking |
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| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours For Each Paper (5 hours total) |
| Language of Question Paper | English & Hindi English Language paper has to be attempted in English. |
NDA Exam Pattern 2022
Before getting into the NDA Syllabus let us have a look at the NDA Exam Pattern. The mathematics paper has 120 questions of 300 marks and GAT will have English and GK Papers of 200 & 400 marks respectively.
NDA Mathematics Exam Pattern
| Paper I- Mathematics | |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions | 120 |
| Marks awarded for Correct answer | 2.5 marks |
| Marks deducted for the wrong answer | -0.83 |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours |
General Ability Test Exam Pattern
| Paper-II- General Ability Test | |
| Total Marks | 600 marks |
| Total No. of Questions | 150 |
| No. of questions in English Section | 50 |
| No. Of questions in General knowledge Section | 100 |
| Maximum Marks for English | 200 marks |
| Maximum Marks for G.K. | 400 marks |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 4 marks in both sections |
| Marks for Incorrect Answer | -1.33 marks in both sections |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours |
| Subjects in General Ability Test | Maximum marks |
| 1. English | 200 |
| Physics | 100 |
| Chemistry | 60 |
| General Science | 40 |
| History, Freedom Movement, etc. | 80 |
| Geography | 80 |
| Current Events | 40 |
| Total | 600 |
NDA Exam Pattern for SSB Interview
After clearing the written exam of NDA, candidates have to appear for the SSB Interview rounds. The pattern of NDA Interview is as mentioned below:
| NDA – SSB Interview Pattern | ||
| Stage 1 | Screening Test |
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| Stage 2 | Psychological Test |
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| Group Testing Officers Test |
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| Personal Interview & conference | – | |
NDA Syllabus 2022
After getting to know the NDA Exam Pattern it is important for the candidates to know the Syllabus of NDA Exam. The NDA Syllabus is discussed below.
NDA Mathematics Syllabus
The chapters covered for NDA Maths Syllabus are given in the table below.
| Mathematics | |
| Topic | Topic-wise Syllabus |
| Algebra | Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Real numbers, Complex numbers, Modulus, Cube roots, Conversion of a number in Binary system to Decimals, and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations, Linear inequations, Permutation and Combination, Binomial theorem, and Logarithms. |
| Calculus | Concept of a real-valued function, domain, range, and graph of a function. Composite functions, one-to-one, onto, and inverse functions. The notion of limit, Standard limits, Continuity of functions, algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative of function at a point, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative-application. Derivatives of sum, product, and quotient of functions, a derivative of a function concerning another function, the derivative of a composite function. Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima |
| Matrices and Determinants | Types of matrices, operations on matrices. Determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants. Adjoint 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. |
| 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. |
| Trigonometry | Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios. Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications-Height and distance, properties of triangles. |
| 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 done by a force and moment of a force and in geometrical problems. |
| Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension | Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system. Distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms. The angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and a general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. Point in a three-dimensional space, the distance between two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of a plane and a line in various forms. The angle between two lines and the angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere. |
| Statistics and Probability | 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 Binomial distribution. |
The topic-wise question distribution in Maths
| Topic | Questions |
| Calculus | 20-25 |
| Quadratic equation | 20-15 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 30 |
| Probability | 10 |
| Trigonometry | 30 |
| Complex number | 10-15 |
NDA General Ability Test Syllabus
The General ability test comprises two papers English and General Knowledge. The English paper consists of 200 Marks while the General Knowledge is of 400 Marks.
NDA Syllabus- English
The question paper in English will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English. The syllabus covers various aspects like as given below:
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
| Spotting Errors | 5 | 20 |
| Comprehension | 6 | 24 |
| Selecting Words | 10 | 40 |
| Ordering of Words in a Sentence | 9 | 36 |
| Sentence Improvement | 10 | 40 |
| Antonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Synonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Total | 50 | 200 |
NDA Syllabus- General Knowledge
Check the topic-wise number of questions and marks distribution in the table below.
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
| Physics | 23 | 92 |
| Chemistry | 16 | 64 |
| General Science | 11 | 44 |
| History & Freedom Movement | 16 | 64 |
| Geography | 17 | 68 |
| Current Events | 17 | 68 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
NDA Syllabus- Physics
| NDA Syllabus For Physics |
- Physical Properties and States of Matter
- Modes of transference of Heat
- Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties
- Simple musical instruments
- Rectilinear propagation of Light
- Density and Specific Gravity
- Reflection and refraction
- Principle of Archimedes
- Spherical mirrors and Lenses
- Pressure Barometer
- Human Eye
- Motion of objects
- Natural and Artificial Magnets
- Velocity and Acceleration
- Properties of a Magnet
- Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Earth as a Magnet
- Force and Momentum
- Static and Current Electricity
- Parallelogram of Forces
- Conductors and Non-conductors
- Stability and Equilibrium of bodies
- Ohm’s Law
- Gravitation
- Simple Electrical Circuits
- Elementary ideas of work
- Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current
- Power and Energy
- Measurement of Electrical Power
- Effects of Heat
- Primary and Secondary Cells
- Measurement of Temperature and Heat
- Use of X-Rays
- General Principles in the working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightning Conductors, Safety Fuses.
NDA Syllabus- Chemistry
| NDA Syllabus For Chemistry | |
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NDA Syllabus- General Science
| NDA Syllabus For General Science | |
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NDA Syllabus- History, Freedom Movement
| NDA Syllabus For History | |
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NDA Syllabus- Geography
| NDA Syllabus For Geography | |
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Current Events
https://www.careerpower.in/nda-previous-year-question-paper.html
| NDA Syllabus For Current Events | |
| Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent yearsProminent personalities of both Indian and International level, Cultural activities and sports activities, Current important world events. | |
Intelligence and Personality Test
The SSB procedure consists of two stages. Only those candidates who clear written exam are permitted to appear for SSB round. The details o SSB exam are given below:
| NDA SSB Personality Test | |
| Stage I |
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| Stage II |
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The various tests of IO, GTO, and Psychological are designed to bring out the presence/absence of Officer Like Qualities and their trainability in a candidate. Accordingly, candidates are Recommended or Not Recommended at the SSB.
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2022 FAQs
- Can women candidates apply for NDA?
- Yes, as per Supreme Court’s order, women candidates can apply for the NDA exam. Earlier, the women candidates were not allowed to appear for the exam. Women candidates will be granted permanent commission in the armed forces.
Q: What is the minimum educational qualification required to apply for NDA exam?
A: Candidates applying for NDA exam must have passed or are appearing in the Class 12 exam. Candidates cannot apply for the exam after Class 11.
Q: What is the age limit to apply for the NDA 1 exam?
A: For NDA 1 exam, candidates must have been born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2006.
Q: Is there any limit in the number of attempts in NDA exam?
No, there is no limit in the number of attempts in NDA exam. Candidates within the prescribed age limit can apply for the exam
Q: Is Mathematics required to apply for NDA exam?
A: Yes, candidates applying for Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and 10+2 cadet entry scheme at INA should study Mathematics in Class 12.
Q: Is there any minimum percentage required in Class 12 to apply for NDA exam?
A: No, there is no minimum percentage in Class 12 for applying to NDA exam.
Q: What are the physical standards required for the NDA exam?
A: Candidates appearing in the NDA exam should be physically fit. Physical fitness is measured in terms of eyesight, height, weight, etc.
Q: Is there any age relaxation for reserved category candidates in NDA exam?
A: Yes, relaxation in the age limit is provided in NDA exam to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government rule.
Q: I am Class 11, can I apply for NDA exam?
A: No, you are not eligible to appear in NDA exam. Candidates who have appeared or are appearing in Class 12 are eligible to apply for the NDA exam.
Q: I am appearing in Class 12. Can I apply for the exam?
A: Yes, you can apply for NDA exam provisionally. However, you are required to provide a pass certificate of Class 12 at the time of admission.
- How can I fill NDA application form?
- NDA application form needs to be filled online only. The application fees can be paid both online and offline.
Q: What is NDA eligibility criteria for women?
A: According to NDA eligibility criteria for female, candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 can apply for the exam.
Q: What is NDA age limit for girls?
A: NDA age limit for girls is between 16 and 19 years.
