In Pune, India, you'll find the National Defence Academy, a prestigious educational institution. Officers for the Indian Armed Forces are trained at this college. The National Defense Academy provides a BA program in National Security Studies that lasts for three years.
Sēvā paramō dharma - Service Before Self
The Cadet's Pledge - Pledge Of NDA
"To that end, I shall not lie, cheat, or steal and it will be my earnest endeavor to be sincere, hardworking and scrupulously fair. I earnestly pray that I may not falter in the pursuit of my goal and, in moments of doubt, be guided by my illustrious predecessors whose example shall be my beacon."
The National Defense Academy (NDA) will accept applicants in 2024 who are physically and medically fit, have finished the 10+2 or an equivalent exam, and are between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5. To guarantee your eligibility for NDA 2024, be informed about official notifications and requirements.
Nationality
The candidate must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a subject of Bhutan. Tibetan refugees who came over to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle in India are also eligible.
Age Limit
The candidate must be between 16½ to 19½ years old.
Educational Qualifications
For Army Wing of NDA: The candidate should have passed 10+2 examination or equivalent from a recognized board or university.
For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy
The candidate should have passed 10+2 examination or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics from a recognized board or university.
Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit according to the standards set by the National Defense Academy and Naval Academy Examination.
Marital Status
Candidates must be unmarried.
Note:
The age limit for NDA 1 2024 applies to unmarried male and female candidates who were born between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008. For NDA 2 2024, candidates born between January 2, 2005, and January 1, 2008, are eligible to take the exam.
Although the UPSC's NDA exam receives many applications every year, only a small fraction of those candidates make it to the merit list. The exam is becoming increasingly competitive each year, thus candidates must prepare for it effectively. Maintaining concentration, commitment, and self-control throughout the preparation phase is of the utmost importance. Anyone can achieve their goal of serving their country by passing the NDA exam with hard work and the correct strategy.

NDA Exam Structure
The Commission included the NDA math and GAT course outline in its official announcement. All candidates, regardless of the services they wish to join, are required to follow the same NDA syllabus. Each question on the NDA math and GAT tests will be based on a certain topic or chapter in the course outline. Despite this, the exam's standard questions are based on the 10+2 curriculum. The UPSC NDA exam outline is available below for candidates to review.
| Exam name | NDA and NA |
|---|---|
| NDA full form | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination |
| Exam Authority | UPSC |
| Eligibility Conditions | Age limit: 16.5 to 19.5 years Educational Qualification: Class 12 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application fee | INR 100 for UR/OBC |
| Exam Stages | Written test (offline) SSB interview |
| Exam mode | Offline |
| Number of papers | Paper 1: Maths Paper 2: GAT |
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NDA Exam Pattern
| Particulars | NDA Written exam | SSB Interview |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Offline | Offline (Group activities and Face to face interview |
| Duration | 5 hours (2 hours 30 minutes for each paper) | 5 days |
| Papers | Mathematics General Ability Test (GAT) | Testing Psychological Test Group Testing Officers Test Personal Interview Conference |
| Total marks | 900 | 900 |
| Total questions | Maths – 120 questions GAT – 150 questions |
How to Prepare for NDA Exam 2024
Aspirants for the NDA should make sure to follow the most up-to-date NDA study resources, including the curriculum, to strengthen their overall preparation. They will also be able to better understand the concepts related to all of the subjects that the officials have assigned.
Study the NDA Exam Pattern and Syllabus
To begin preparing for the NDA exam, it is recommended that you review the exam requirements, format, and topics covered by studying the NDA Syllabus and Exam Pattern. That way, they can concentrate more on the types of questions that might appear on the test.
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Get the Fundamentals Straight
The second piece of advice for NDA prep is to make sure you fully understand all of the material on the syllabus. They will have a much easier time grasping the more sophisticated material when they have mastered the fundamentals. At any point throughout the preparation process, they should consult the few publications available to them to clear up any conceptual uncertainty.

Best Books for NDA Preparation 2024
When planning how to prepare for the NDA, candidates should be sure to use the best literature and study materials. To make a well-informed choice, they should look at the books suggested by experts and top students from prior years. By doing so, they will be able to ensure that they have covered everything on the syllabus and achieve their best possible exam results.
"Pathfinder for NDA & NA Entrance Examination" by Arihant Experts
"Chapterwise-Section wise Solved Papers NDA & NA" by Arihant Experts
"Mathematics for NDA and NA" by R.S. Aggarwal
"General Science Guide for NDA & NA" by Disha Experts
"Objective General English" by R.S. Aggarwal
"NDA/NA Solved Papers" by Upkar Prakashan
"NDA/NA Topic-wise Solved Papers" by Disha Experts
"History of Modern India" by Bipan Chandra
"Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth
"Pathfinder for NDA & NA National Defence Academy Naval Academy Entrance Examination" by Arihant Experts
Check out our top picks in books for NDA preparation. These books offer detailed explanations of every question type, comprehensive elucidations of theoretical frameworks, solved and explained practice problems, and current exam format and course outline.
Complete Mock Tests and Past Exam Papers
Getting a feel for the exam's format by working through sample questions and answers from NDA's past year's exam papers. The analysis of question difficulty levels and the identification of strengths and areas for improvement can also be facilitated by this. They will also be able to learn how to manage their time more efficiently.
Preparation is key in any tough exam. Like the NDA entrance, an effective study plan is crucial for CAT as well.
Read Newspapers and Magazines
To be abreast of global affairs, candidates should make reading newspapers and publications a habit. They can improve their test scores by making notes on current events and reviewing them often.
Practice Time Management
To do well on the NDA 2024 test, you must learn to manage your time wisely. Therefore, as part of their plan to prepare for the NDA, students should study time management techniques. To maintain concentration, they should take frequent pauses and spend more time on more important subjects.
Regular Revision
If they want to do well on the test, candidates should study frequently and make sure to have brief notes on all the relevant subjects. They will be able to remember the material for longer, and the little notes will come in handy for reviewing at the last minute.
Best NDA Coaching Centers in India
Coaching for the NDA exam in India might boost your chances of becoming an officer. Coaching centers offer skilled instruction from NDA test patterns and syllabus-savvy experts. Coaching institutions provide small classes, allowing for individual attention. Professors can analyze your strengths and shortcomings to boost your performance and give you particular attention.
Indian NDA coaching centers offer practice tests and mock exams to replicate the exam. These quizzes and exams let you evaluate your preparation, discover weaknesses, and increase speed and accuracy. NDA coaching centers can help you improve your scores with performance feedback. Time management is essential for NDA exam prep. Coaching centers in India offer planned study plans to assist you manage time. Their friendly environment helps keep you motivated and focused on your goals. Classmates who are also preparing for the same exam might motivate and assist you.
Doon Defence Academy
An ex-officer in the Indian Navy named Mr. Sandeep Gupta started the training center 19 years ago, and since then, thousands of pupils have been trained, with over 12,000 chosen. Candidates for the NDA, CDSE, Agniveer, BSF, and a plethora of other defense-related examinations receive well-planned instruction at the institution. Students at the academy are known to undergo rigorous physical training in preparation for a future in the military.
Baalnoi Academy
Baalnoi Academy, formerly Major Kalsi Institute, is famous across India for its top-notch faculty, carefully planned courses of study and individualized instruction provided by Colonel Mohanjt Singh. The rigorous test series and multiple-choice exam tutoring offered by the institution have contributed to a history of student achievement. With the support of its four branches in strategically chosen areas, the institute has been mentoring individuals to become more analytical thinkers and potential future officers. Kindly be informed that the institute does not provide any form of physical training.
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Target Defence Academy
Located in the heart of Lucknow, Target Defence Academy (TDA) is the go-to place for top-notch NDA training in India. Several individuals interested in the National Defence Academy (NDA), Combined Defence Services (CDS), Air Force Common Entrance Test (AFCAT), and other selections for the Army, Navy, and Air Force have been brought up by TDA. To help students succeed, TDA provides them with real-world information and exam-taking strategies.

Tara Institute
An esteemed coaching academy, Tara Institute prepares students for the NDA, CDS, AFCAT, Bank PO, SBI PO, IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, and IBPS RR exams. Located in key cantonment locations across India, the institute offers a conducive setting for military force preparedness in addition to its meticulously designed training programs. To further assist students in monitoring their progress, they also offer free practice exams and weekly assessments.
General Ranjit Academy
Comprehensive NDA Coaching, SSB Interview Coaching, SSB Training, Soldier Recruitment, and SSB Guidance are all services offered by General Ranjit Academy, an elite NDA coaching institute in India. To help its students grow as whole people, the institute provides them with first-rate amenities. Students' creative growth and stress management in the face of one of India's toughest exams are directly attended to by the academy's skilled teachers, which is its USP. Instead of academic coaching, their main emphasis is on counseling and mentoring.
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