| National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination | |
| Acronym: | NDA Exam |
| Test Admin: | Union Public Service Commission |
| Skills Tested: | Writing, English, General knowledge, others |
| Purpose: | Selection of candidates to the various posts of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force |
| Duration: | Five hours (Mathematics: 2½ hours, General Ability Test (GAT): 2½ hours) |
| Offered: | Twice a year |
| Regions: | India |
| Fee: | 100/- (for general male candidates) |
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination is an entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year for admissions into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA).[1] The NDA Exam serves as a gateway for candidates seeking a career in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.[2] [3] [4]
The NDA Exam was first conducted in the year 1954 after the NDA was established to train cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force together.
To be eligible for the NDA Exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:
The NDA Exam is conducted in two stages: a written examination and an interview by the Services Selection Board (SSB).[6]
The written examination consists of two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Both papers are objective type and are conducted on the same day. The Mathematics paper evaluates the candidates' mathematical aptitude, while the GAT paper assesses their English language proficiency, general knowledge, and reasoning abilities.
Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. The SSB interview consists of various stages, including intelligence and personality tests, group discussions, psychological tests, and personal interviews.
The NDA Exam is administered by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which is a constitutional body responsible for recruiting personnel for various government services and posts. The UPSC ensures the fair and transparent conduct of the examination process, including the release of notifications, application acceptance, examination schedules, result declaration, and the final selection of candidates.[7]