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NDA Full Form

NDA Full Form: The full form of NDA is National Defence Academy. NDA is the Indian Armed Forces' joint services academy, where students from the Army, Navy, and Air Force are all trained together. Check more NDA information here.

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Latest update: NDA Exam Date 2024: UPSC has revealed the NDA exam schedule for 2024. NDA 1 for 2024 is set for April 21, 2024, with the notification releasing on December 20, 2023, and the application deadline on January 9, 2024. NDA 2 notification for 2024 will be out on May 15, 2024, and the application deadline is June 4, 2024. NDA 2024’s second examination will take place on September 1, 2024.

The results for the NDA 2 2023 written exam were officially disclosed on September 26, 2023. This examination, held on September 3, 2023, across multiple cities in two separate shifts, saw a total of 7416 candidates successfully qualify.

What is the Full Form of NDA?

Get the information about NDA here.

 The full form of NDA is National Defence Academy. 

NDA is conducted by UPSC. PSC NDA is the national-level examination which is conducted to recruit qualified candidates as officers in the Indian Navy, Indian Army and Indian Air Force. UPSC conducts the exam for other Sarkari recruitment such as IAS, CDS, UPSC CMS, CAPF, etc. The NDA exam is conducted two times a year (April & September). The exam comprises written and SSB interviews. National Defence Academy is located in Pune, Maharashtra. Read out and get more details for NDA.

NDA Full Form in Hindi: एनडीए का फुल फॉर्म नेशनल डिफेंस एकेडमी है।

What is the National Defence Academy? 

National Defence Academy is a premier institute in India, located in Pune. It is an institution for the training of officers for the Indian Armed Forces. National Defence Academy offers a three-year course leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in National Security Studies.

NDA Eligibility 2023

To be eligible for NDA (National Defence Academy) 2023, candidates must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years of age, have completed 10+2 or equivalent examinations, and meet physical and medical standards. Stay updated on official notifications and requirements to ensure your eligibility for NDA 2023.

Name of the ExamNDA
Conducting BodyUnion Public Service Commission
Exam LevelNational
PostLieutenant
Gender & Marital StatusUnmarried female and male
NDA Age Limit16.5 to 19.5 years
NDA Qualification

Army Wing: Passed or appearing in Class 12

For Air Force and Naval Wings: Passed or appearing in Class 12. Candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12

NDA Physical TestIn NDA physical test the eligibility of candidates is measured as per height, weight and medical standards
Selection Process

Written exam

SSB Interview

History of National Defence Academy

The National Defence Academy was established in 1954. It is the first tri-service academy in the world. National Defence Academy has been training officers of the Indian Armed Forces since its inception. National Defence Academy has produced some of the finest officers of the Indian Armed Forces.

Initially, the National Defence Academy was located in Khadakwasla, near Pune. In 1974, National Defence Academy shifted to its present location in Pune. National Defence Academy is an institution of national importance and has been granted the status of ‘Institution of National Eminence’ by the Government of India. 

Importance of National Defence Academy

The National Defence Academy is very important for the defence of our country. The National Defence Academy plays a very important role in moulding the character of the officers and making them responsible citizens of India. The National Defence Academy also helps the officers to understand India’s defence policy and international relations. The National Defence Academy is the only academy in India which trains the officers of all three forces. The National Defence Academy is very important for the defence of our country.

Features of the National Defence Academy

National Defence Academy is the joint facilities institute of the Indian Armed Forces. Here, three service cadets are trained together before they go on to pre-commissioning training in their respective service academies. National Defence Academy is located at Khadakwasla near Pune. National Defence Academy is the world’s first tri-service academy.

The National Defence Academy was founded in 1948 with the merger of the Royal Indian Military College at Dehradun and the Indian Naval Academy at Cochin. The National Defence Academy was inaugurated by then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on January 16, 1950. National Defence Academy is spread over an area of about 1250 acres. National Defence Academy has a strength of about 700 cadets and a staff of about 300 officers. National Defence Academy is affiliated with the University of Pune. National Defence Academy has been conferred the prestigious ‘A’ grade by the Defense Ministry of India.

Functions of National Defence Academy

Following are the functions of the National Defence Academy:

  1. National Defence Academy trains the officers of all three forces i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force.
  2. National Defence Academy provides quality education to the cadets.
  3. National Defence Academy moulds the character of the officers and makes them responsible citizens of India.
  4. National Defence Academy develops leadership qualities in the cadets.
  5. National Defence Academy helps the officers to understand India’s defence policy and international relations.
  6. National Defence Academy is the only academy in India which trains the officers of all three forces.

Discover Unacademy UPSC Offline Centres in the following locations 

NDA Exam Overview

Candidates can check below the overview of the UPSC NDA exam.

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

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

NDA Syllabus

In the official notification, the commission mentioned the NDA syllabus for Mathematics and GAT papers. NDA Syllabus is the same for all the candidates irrespective of the services they want to join. NDA exam syllabus consists of all the important topics and chapters from which the questions will be asked in the mathematics and GAT test. Although, the standard questions in the exam are from the 10+2 level.

Also see,

NDA Study MaterialNDA Application Process
NDA FeesNDA Examination Scheme
NDA Eligibility CriteriaNDA Syllabus

The Campus at National Defence Academy

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a tri-service military academy in Pune, India. It is the first of its kind in Asia and the second in the world. The National Defence Academy is a training institute for officers of the Indian Armed Forces.

NDA campus is located on a sprawling area of 18 square kilometres. The academy is situated in the foothills of the Sahyadri Mountain ranges. The campus has a serene and picturesque beauty, which helps in the all-around development of the cadets.

The National Defence Academy has a sanctioned strength of Cadets. The National Defence Academy has a diverse range of cadets from different parts of India and from different walks of life. The National Defence Academy is the Alma Mater of three service chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces and many other senior officers.

Conclusion

The National Defence Academy is one of the Services Institutes of India. Here at NDA, three service cadets are trained together to become officers. Established in 1954, NDA is located in Pune. It is the world’s first tri-service institute. The course at NDA is twelve months long. Cadets are given an opportunity to study a variety of subjects including history, international relations, science and technology. They also have physical training and outdoor activities. At the end of the course, cadets sit for an examination that determines their eligibility for commission into one of the three services. 

NDA Question Papers – Download PDFs

NDA 1 GAT Question Paper 2023Download PDF
NDA 1 Maths Question Paper 2023Download PDF
NDA 1 Maths Question Paper 2022Download PDF
NDA 1 GAT Question Paper 2022Download PDF
NDA 2 Maths Question Paper 2022Download PDF
NDA 2 GAT Question Paper 2022Download PDF
NDA 1 Maths Question Paper 2021Download PDF
NDA 1 GAT Question Paper 2021Download PDF
NDA 2 Maths Question Paper 2021Download PDF
NDA 2 GAT Question Paper 2021Download PDF
NDA 2 Maths Question Paper 2020Download PDF
NDA 2 GAT Question Paper 2020Download PDF
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Frequently asked questions

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NDA Full Form: What Does It Mean and Why Do You Need One?

Answer: National Defence Academy is the joint facilities institute of the Indi...Read full

How does the National Defence Academy operate?

Answer: National Defence Academy is a residential institution where the cadets are inducted at the age of 16½ years...Read full

What are the benefits of the National Defence Academy?

Answer: National Defence Academy provides an opportunity to the young cadets to develop their personality and charac...Read full

What are the National Defence Academy's functions?

Answer: National Defence Academy, in addition to the training of cadets, also undertakes research and development ac...Read full

What is the National Defence Academy motto?

Answer: The National Defence Academy motto is “Seva Parmo Dharma” which means “Service is the supr...Read full

What is the NDA Full Form in Hindi?

Answer: NDA Full Form in Hindi: एनडीए का फुल फॉर्म नेशनल डि...Read full