National Defence Academy-NDA Exam

 National Defence Academy-NDA Exam

The National Defence Academy fondly known as NDA Exam, is the joint Services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services, namely, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force train together before they go on to pre-commissioning training in their respective service academies. The NDA is located in Khadakwasla near Pune, Maharashtra. Being the first tri-service academy in the world, it is rated amongst the best in the world.
the candidates who pass the NDA exam are trained for 2.5 years 0r 5 semesters. In the sixth semester they are sent to their respective bases (Air-Force, Army, Navy).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR NDA EXAM

Candidates who have cleared the class 10+2 or are appearing the same, can fill the application form. If you want to apply for Air Force or Navy, you certainly need to have Physics and Mathematics subjects in 10+2. However the Non-Science students can apply for the Army Wing.

AGE CRITERIA FOR NDA EXAM

Age criteria is strict in NDA. Only unmarried Male Candidates aged between 16 1/2 years to 19 years can apply for admission. False information is strictly prohibited as it can lead to cancellations.

ADMISSION PROCESS

Applicants who apply to the NDA are selected through a written exam conducted by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). Once the written exam is cleared, candidates are called up for interviews.  The interviews are aimed at checking general aptitude, psychological testing, and team skills as well as physical and social skills, along with medical tests of the shortlisted candidates.

The exam is held twice an year in the month of April and August for two sets of 3 hours each. About 330,000 applicants appear for each written exam. Typically, about 8,500 of these are invited to interview. A total of around 350 cadets are accepted after the interviews to the academy.

Cadets who are accepted and have successfully completed the program, are sent to their respective training academies for receiving 1 year training before granting of the commission, army cadets go to  the IMA at Dehradun while Air Force cadets to AFA at Dundigal, Hyderabad and naval cadets are sent to INA, Ezhimala. A cadet can only decline to accept the commission in case of a serious permanent medical condition caused during the program otherwise he has to abide.

The total duration of course is 3 years. These 3 years would be a very busy routine for candidates with both academics and physical activities combined together. Horse- riding (known as equitation at NDA), rock climbing, drills, Para gliding, swimming, hockey, football, volleyball, cricket, boxing, tennis and squash and many more sports.

The cadets are taught everything from survival techniques to cross country movements. In the final semester, cadets are moved to their respective bases i.e. Air-Force, Army or Navy. In technical terms, they are sent to pre-commissioned training to their respective service academies situated in different places. About 66 cadets are accepted for the Air Force, 39 for the Navy and 195 for the Army. After Passing out the three years of training, candidates are awarded graduation degree affiliated to Jawahar Lal Nehru University(JNU). The Passing out parade that is held at the successful completion of 3 years is a spectacular event which accounts to pride of our nation.

LIFE AFTER NDA

Once the cadets reach the I.M.A. after NDA, they are now known as Gentlemen Cadets and are given strenuous military training for a period of one year at Dehradun. On successful completion of training these Cadets are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lieutenant subject to being medically fit. 

The Naval cadets are given sea training for a period of six months. On successful completion of the training period, they are promoted to the rank of Midshipmen. After further 6 months training in the respective branches allocated to them, they are promoted to the rank of acting Lieutenants.

 Air Force Cadets receives flying training for a period of 1½ years. However, at the end of 1 year of training they are given provisional commission in the rank of Flying Officer. After successful completion of further training of 6 months they are promoted as permanent commissioned officers on probation for a period of one year.

GLORIES OF ALUMNI

Alumni of the prestigious academy have led and fought every major conflict in which India has participated since the academy was established officially. They have an illustrious record of numerous gallantry awards and achieving 33 alumni have been awarded the iconic Kirti Chakra. 122 have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra.

Getting into the NDA is termed as a glorious chapter of every Indian who ultimate wish is to guard the honors of our nation.