The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination twice a year for admission into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA, and for the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC).
National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination
UPSC
National
Twice a Year (NDA 1 & NDA 2)
After Class 12
Unmarried candidates, Class 12 passed
Online
Offline (Pen-and-paper)
₹100 (Exempt for SC/ST, wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs)
Mathematics & GAT
Mathematics: 2h 30m
GAT: 2h 30m
| Event | NDA 1 | NDA 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | December 2024 | May 2025 |
| Application Window | Dec 2024 – Jan 2025 | May – June 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | March 2025 | August 2025 |
| Exam Date | April 2025 | September 2025 |
| Result Declaration | May 2025 | October 2025 |
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 300 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Paper II | General Ability Test (GAT) | 600 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Total | 900 | 5 hours (combined) | |
Negative Marking: Yes (as per UPSC norms)
SSB Interview: 900 Marks (after clearing the written exam)
"Master the syllabus like a drill – consistent, sharp, and with zero room for error."
The National Defence Academy (NDA) offers one of the most prestigious career paths for candidates who aspire to serve the nation in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. Candidates are trained to become officers, gaining both academic and physical skills required for national defense.
During the 3-year training period at NDA, cadets undergo a rigorous daily schedule that includes:
Cadets are trained together for 2.5 years regardless of the wing, after which they specialize in their respective services.
After completing training at NDA, cadets are awarded degrees by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi:
Post NDA, cadets receive additional 1-year specialized training at:
| Rank | Level | Pay Scale (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10B | ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | ₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General (HAG Scale) | Level 15 | ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100 |
| HAG+ Scale | Level 16 | ₹2,05,400 – ₹2,24,400 |
| VCOAS / Army Commander / Lt. Gen (NFSG) | Level 17 | ₹2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS (Chief of Army Staff) | Level 18 | ₹2,50,000 (fixed) |
While in training, NDA cadets receive a monthly stipend of ₹56,100 starting from the training period as a Gentlemen Cadet.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the NDA & NA (I) 2025 application form on December 20, 2024, on the official website upsc.gov.in. The last date to apply was January 9, 2025, until 6:00 PM.
The application process involves two parts:
| Category | Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | ₹100 |
| SC/ST/Female/Sons of JCOs, NCOs, ORs | Nil |
Candidates can choose exam centres while filling out the form. Centres are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.
| Agartala | Ahmedabad | Aizwal | Bengaluru | Bareilly |
| Bhopal | Chandigarh | Chennai | Cuttack | Delhi |
| Dispur | Gangtok | Hyderabad | Imphal | Itanagar |
| Jaipur | Jammu | Jorhat | Kochi | Kohima |
(For full list, refer to official UPSC notification.)
The exam is conducted in offline mode (pen & paper). It consists of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
| Subject | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 Hours |
| General Ability Test | 600 | 2.5 Hours |
| Total | 900 | 5 Hours |
Candidates who clear the written test will be called for the SSB Interview, which assesses personality, communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
Get more expert guidance, structured study plans, and NDA-focused mock tests at our Telegram channel .
