The candidates who are interested to join National Defense Academy may apply for the entrance exam conducted by union public service commission. Academy consists of three wings of joint training: army, navy and air force. Getting into NDA is considered highly prestigious. Admissions are conducted twice a year. At first a written test will be there which will be followed by interview rounds and also group tasks and medical. At present there are about 350 vacancies and every year number of candidates applying is increasing. This makes it more difficult for the candidates to clear the exam

Structure for the NDA Examination

The exam is divided into two parts-mathematics (300 marks) and general ability (600marks) for two and a half hour. The candidates with good mathematical skill and with right confidence   can easily qualify or the test.

Paper –I (mathematics)

Paper –II (general ability)

Part ‘A’ (English) – To test candidate’s knowledge in English

Part ‘B’ (general knowledge)- It is divided  into part A- F and consist of physics, chemistry, history, general science, geography and current events.

Intelligence and Personality test

The candidate has to go through verbal as well as non-verbal intelligence tests. They have to go through other exercises like GD and other outdoor group tasks. Sometimes candidates are also instructed to prepare and deliver lectures on specific subjects.

Syllabus for NDA Examination

Mathematics

• Algebra
• Analytical Geometry of two and three dimensions
• Differential Calculus
• Integral Calculus and Differential equations
• Matrices and Determinants
• Probability
• Statistics and
• Trigonometry
• Vector

English

• Antonyms
• Comprehension
• Error in Sentences
• Idioms and Phrases
• Jumbled Words
• Misspelled words
• One word Substitution
• Synonyms
• Vocabulary Test

General Knowledge

• A broad survey of Indian History
• Achievements of Eminent Scientists
• Current important events
• Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India
• Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration
• Freedom Movement in India
• Panchayati Raj, Co-operatives and Community Development
• Prominent personalities

Chemistry

• Acids and Alkalies
• Concepts in Chemistry
• Organic and Inorganic Chemistry

Geography

• Ocean Currents and Tides
• Atmosphere and its composition
• Important Sea ports and main sea
• Origin of Earth

Physics

• Electricity and Electronics
• Motion & Laws
• Optics

Biology

• Basis of Life-Cells, Protoplasm’s and Tissues
• Difference between the living and non-living
• Elementary knowledge of human body and its important organs
• Food-Source of energy for man
• Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates who have cleared 10+2 and those who are currently doing can apply
• Those who had taken Physics & Mathematics in Class 12th can apply for navy and air force.
• Candidates appearing for the exam must be bachelors .They must be between16 1/2 to 19 years on January 1st or July 1st of the year subsequent to the year of the exam
• Non-permanent citizens of India are not allowed to apply
• Nationalities of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibetan refugee can apply only if they have migrated to India with a purpose to become permanent citizens of  India prior to January 1st
• In case candidates origin is from India but actually migrated from either neighboring countries of India or East Africa nations like Uganda and Kenya can apply provided they are planning to permanently settle in India.
• Gorkha category of Nepal need not submit any proof

Physical standards are mentioned below

Any candidate whose height is not within157.5cms to 162.5cms cannot apply for Air Force wing. Candidates whose chest is less than 81cms cannot apply. Candidates should have proper eye-sight. They should not be overweight or under weight

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted both online and offline method.

There is a common form for all UPSC exams. In the prescribed form, a candidate has to indicate the exam he/she has applied for. Forms are available in selected post offices across the country. As soon as the application forms are received and processed, the candidates will be sent an admit card. Candidates who belong to reserved quota can post their applications along with concession proof.

Rules for Reservation

No relaxation is available to students of any category in the National Defense Academy.

How to fill the Form

On-line applications are available at http://www.upsconline.nic.in/. The Process of filling the form is given below. Candidates should follow the instructions given in the site to fill the two stages Part I and Part-II.

On-line

Applications can be done by paying Rs. 25/- (Rupees Twenty Five only) [except   SC & ST]

• By submitting in any branch of SBI by cash
• By net banking facility of SBI
• By Visa/Master Credit/ Debit Card

Before filling the form, candidate’s recent photograph and signature scanned in the .png format is required. The required file size is 40KB.The notification date can be filled in the second part of the form

Off-line

Candidates applying offline need to care certain things. The candidates should fill the form themselves. The forms are processed on computerized machines; candidates should handle the forms very carefully .HB pencils should be used for darkening the circles. Entry in the boxes can be made through black or blue pen. Candidates please note that both of these fields must be filled very carefully so that there is no difference between the two entries

Important Dates

[Please note that we only provide tentative dates based on previous years dates. For exact dates related information it is always best to check official websites only.]

Important Dates for NDA I Exam

• Release of Notification: October, 2011/2012
• Last date of submission of application form: November, 2011/2012
• Date of Examination: April, 2012/2013

Important dates for NDA II EXAM:

• Release of Notification: April,2012
• Last date of submission of application form: May, 2012
• Date of Examination: August, 2012

List of NDA exam centers

• Agartala
• Ahemdabad
• Aizwal
• Allahabad
• Bangalore
• Barely
• Bhopal
• Chandigarh
• Chennai
• Cuttack
• Dehradun
• Delhi
• Dharwa
• Dispur
• Gangtok
• Hyderabad
• Imphal
• Itanagar
• Jaipur
• Jammu
• Jorhat
• Koch
• Kohima
• Kolkata
• Lucknow
• Madurai
• Mumbai
• Nagpur
• Panaji (Goa)
• Patna
• Port Blair
• Raipur
• Ranchi
• Sambalpur
• Shillong
• Shimla
• Sringar
• Thiruvananthapuram
• Tirupati
• Udaipur
• Vishakhapatnam

Contact Address for NDA Examination

• Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069
• Website: www.upsc.gov.in
• PH: 011-23389366, 23385271

Reference Books for NDA Examination

• Some of the well known reference books available are:
• Arihant NDA Entrance Exam Practice Sets by RPH
• NDA Exam Guide by   Datason RP
• NDA Examiantion Solved Papers up to date
• NDA manual by Sahitya Bhawan Publications
• Practice Work Book by Dr. H. P. Sharma
• Work book NDA Examination by Dr. M. B. Lal

Coaching Centers for NDA Examination

• A.C. Vidyasagar Classes
• Akshardham the Competitive Exams Academy
• Baalnoi Academy
• Bolster Academea
• C.M.I.
• Cavalier India
• Cavalier pvt  Ltd.
• Impact Coaching & Educational Services Pvt. Ltd.
• New Careers Academy
• O.P.Singh’s IAS Academy
• Olive Greens
• Tara Institute
• Test Bag Academy
• Disha Academy

Study Plan

Candidates should work mainly on their basics till 12th standard and for reference guides and previous years question paper will be useful. Give priority to biology, as it covers up a huge portion of the general ability test. Important topics:

In biology

• Diseases and causes
• Animal kingdom
• Plant anatomy and morphology.

In chemistry

• Equivalent weights
• Chemical analysis
• Inorganic compounds
• Periodic tables
• Concepts of physical chemistry
• Equilibrium

In Physics

• Quantum mechanics
• Mechanics
• Thermo dynamics
• Electromagnetism

The science questions are mostly from CBSE syllabus of class XI. Quick reference of The Competition Success will improve your general knowledge. Read magazines, newspapers and underline the difficult words and look them in the dictionary. Please prepare for test and interview by adding more and more English words to your vocabulory. Hindi can be used in the Services Selection Board. Questions are not repeated in the test.

How and Where To Get the Results

Results will be available on the official website of UPSC. So the candidates are required to visit the website in a regular basis. There are many other sites providing this information like http://www.nda.nic.in.

Expected sectional cutoffs

It is difficult to predict cut-off marks as it keep changes every year. If you score 40% in all subjects you have a good chance.

NDA 2010 Cutoff

• Geography - Minimum number of questions need to be correct for optional subject= 84-95
• Indian History –for optional subject =95-98 questions
• Mathematics – for optional subject=68 questions
• Political Science – for optional subject =90+ questions
• Public Administration– for optional subject =84-98 questions
• Sociology - for optional subject = 94-100 questions

Score Validity

The score is valid for the present year’s admission process only. It is not valid next year.