What is the Purpose of the NDA Exam?
The NDA Exam is the ideal choice for aspirants who want to apply for the defence tests after class 12. National Defence Academy and Naval Academy examinations are held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select eligible candidates who have completed Class 12 for getting admitted to the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy programs. The written exam and SSB interview are both parts of the selection procedure. On the 17th of May 2023, UPSC's official website launched a direct link to apply for the NDA exam 2023. The deadline to submit the NDA application online is June 6, 2023.
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the National Defence Academy or NDA exam twice a year. It is the country's most coveted defence admission exam, and both male and female candidates are eligible to apply. The exam is expected to conduct on September 3, 2023.
The exam has two parts: a written exam and an SSB interview. The UPSC compiles a list of candidates who achieve the required minimum score in the written exam. Candidates who pass the written exam are called for an SSB Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test.
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NDA Exam 2023 – Highlights
Name: National Defence Academy Exam and Naval Academy Examination
Exam Level: National level
Frequency: Twice a year
Stages: The exam is conducted in two stages, written and SSB interviews
Mode: Offline
Conducting Board: The NDA examination is conducted by UPSC
Written Examination Duration: The total time allotted for written examination is 5 hours, 2.5 hours for mathematics and 2.5 hours for GAT
Language: Mix of English and Hindi (Hinglish)
NDA Mock Test 2023
NDA 2023: Eligibility
Candidates who want to apply for the NDA examination must strictly fulfil the criteria laid out by the Indian Government. First thing first, their citizenship must be one of the following types:
A citizen of India
A resident of Nepal
A resident of Bhutan
A Tibetian refugee who came to India before 1 June 1962 intending to permanently settle in India
Any person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and East African countries like Ethiopia, Malawi, Zaire, Vietnam, or Zambia and have the intention to settle in India permanently. They have to provide a certificate in favour of their migration.
Educational Qualification Requirements
The educational qualification is not the same for all NDA academic streams; it is different for different courses.
To apply for the army, a candidate has to pass the 12th standard or HSC examination of school education in 10+2 format or any other examination which is equivalent to the HSC examination from a recognised board or a university.
To apply for the Air Force, Navy or Naval academy of NDA, a student has to pass the 12th standard or HSC examination with a 10+2 format from a recognized State Education Board with Physics and Mathematics.
Physical Criteria for Selection
For admission to the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examinations 2023, candidates must be physically and intellectually fit. Every year, a considerable number of candidates fail the medical exam. As a result, applicants are urged to get a medical assessment before applying for the exam.
Under-sized Chest, Wax (ears), Deviated Nasal Septum, Overweight/ Underweight, Piles and Tonsillitis are among the minor defects/ailments that aspirants should address.
NDA 2023 Height and Weight Requirements for Army and Air Force
NDA 2023 Height and Weight Requirements for Navy
Exceptions - Female candidates must be at least 152 cm tall to be accepted for the Armed Forces. Gorkhas and applicants from India's North-Eastern Hills, Garhwal, and Kumaon will be admitted if they are at least 148 cm tall. Candidates who are under the age of 18 at the time of the examination will be given a growth allowance of 02 cm.
The Flying Branch requires a minimum height of 163 cm. Ground Duty branches will have a minimum height requirement of 157.5 cm.
The minimum acceptable height for Gorkhas and those from India's north-eastern areas and Uttarakhand's mountainous districts would be 5 cm lower (152.5 cm). The minimum allowable height for applicants from Lakshadweep might be decreased by 2 cm (155.5 cm).
The following table includes the minimum requirements for heights of candidates who belong to different regions.
Vision Standards
The acceptable distance vision (corrected) is 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye.
Maximum myopia allowed is 2.5 D.
Hypermetropia including astigmatism is allowed till 3.5 D.
Spectacles are a strict no for Indian Air Force candidates.
The visual standards for the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force are as follows:
Tattoos Guidelines
Permanent body tattoos are allowed only on the inner side of the forearms out of the whole body.
UPSC has strictly banned tattoos on the inside of the elbow to the wrist and the backside of the hand.
Relaxation will be given to a candidate if they belong to a tribe where it is customary to have a tattoo.
Age Limit
Candidates born between January 02, 2003 and January 01, 2006 are eligible to take the NDA 2023 test.
The date of birth must be written exactly as it appears on the matriculation certificate, secondary school leaving certificate, or any other similar certification recognised by the Indian University. The commission will not accept any other document as verification of date of birth.
Sex and Marital Status
Till 2022, only unmarried male candidates could apply for the NDA exam, but now even unmarried female aspirants can also participate in the NDA 2023 exam, as per the latest ruling of the Supreme Court.
During the selection process and until the programme is finished, both male and female candidates must be single.
An applicant will not be chosen if they marry before completing training.
If a candidate gets married while undergoing training, he or she will be fired and held accountable for the government's whole training expense.
NDA Exam Details
Where To Find NDA Application Form 2023?
The NDA 2023 apply online link was launched on the UPSC official website, along with the notification PDF. The NDA Application Form 2023 was available from May 17, 2023. Candidates should have scanned copies of their photo, signature, and other relevant papers on hand to upload into the NDA form.
How To Submit NDA Application Form 2023?
Candidates can refer to the instructions provided below to learn the step-by-step method for submitting an NDA application in order to prevent making any errors or silly mistakes while filling out the form at the last minute:
Go to UPSC’s official website.
Check the most recent notification and follow all of the instructions. "Yes" should be selected.
Fill out Part I of the application online to register.
Upload your photograph as well as a virtual copy of your signature.
Submit the application fee (if applicable)
Application Fees for UPSC NDA Exam
All candidates must pay the NDA application fee in order to complete the online application form successfully. Below are the category-wise application fee details for the UPSC NDA Exam:
NDA Exam Date 2023
The UPSC has published the dates for the NDA 2 exams in 2023. The NDA Exam Date 2023 for NDA 2 is September 3, 2023. The whole exam schedule is available in the table below for candidates to review:
NDA Exam Pattern
The following table explains the NDA Exam Pattern for the interested candidates:
Eligibility for UPSC NDA
The UPSC specifies the NDA eligibility criteria in the NDA exam notice PDF on their official website. Candidates applying for the UPSC NDA exam in 2023 should make sure they meet all of the requirements for entrance to the exam.
Candidates shall be admitted only on a provisional basis at all phases of the examination, subject to meeting the prescribed NDA eligibility requirements. Candidates who do not meet the requirements will be unable to participate in the recruiting process.
The NDA qualifying criteria are divided into three stages: age limit, educational qualifications, and physical requirements.
Age Limit for NDA Exam 2023
For various courses, the age limit requirement for the NDA exam is 16.5-19.5 years. Only unmarried male applicants born between January 2, 2003, and Januray 1, 2006, are able to apply for the NDA 2 2023 exam online.
Educational Qualifications for NDA Exam 2023
To take the exam and progress further in the selection process, candidates must have the required qualifications. The table given below shows the educational requirements for the candidates:
Physical Requirements for NDA Exam 2023
Candidates must fulfill certain fitness demands, such as height and vision requirements. Candidates must meet the stated qualifying criteria, which are outlined below:
Height Criteria
Vision Criteria
Benefits of UPSC NDA as a Career Option
An Opportunity to Serve Your Country: Joining the military through NDA is an excellent option if you feel a feeling of patriotism or obligation to the Indian people. You will be proud of yourself for your altruistic contribution.
Vacation Time and Travel Opportunities: In NDA, you have a variety of opportunities to travel to remote countries and work in a relaxed setting. The NDA has facilities all around the world and will pay for your and your family's transportation there and back. You have complete freedom to travel and experience the globe during your time off from work. You are entitled to paid leave once a year, excluding weekends and legal holidays. To top it off, if there are available seats on a military hop, you may be able to fly for free.
Your Family's and Future's Safety: As soon as individuals join the military, they are eligible for complete health care coverage for themselves and their immediate family members, and if you serve until retirement, you and your family can carry these benefits with you when you depart. These health advantages are extended to direct family members (e.g. spouses and children, and sometimes dependent parents). After you leave the military, you may be eligible for temporary military health care benefits. Free medical care, free education, free loans, and free airline tickets, among other things. Joining the NDA allows you to live this style of life.
Hopefully, this article provided you with all the necessary information regarding the NDA Exam and the NDA application form. We also tried to cover the benefits of UPSC NDA as an effective career option. Therefore, students can prepare for the NDA Exam wisely and score good marks.
FAQs on NDA Exam 2023 - Eligibility, Selection Criteria and Cut-offs
1. How are the exam centres allotted to the candidates?
The examination centres are allotted to the candidates on the ‘first-apply-first-serve’ basis. However, the candidates can choose exam centres as per their preference as well.
2. What is the application fee for this examination?
The application fee for the NDA exam is Rs 100.
3. Where can I get study material for the NDA 2023 examination?
You can find various Entrance Exam Solutions, including NDA 2023 from past years in PDF format, as well as questionnaires that have been solved by industry professionals on the Vedantu website. Get a head start on your exam preparation by downloading the Entrance Exam Question Papers with Solutions in PDF format for free.
4. How many seats are there at the National Defence Academy?
There are 395 seats vacant in the Academy, which will be filled by the NDA examination in 2023. 208 seats are vacant in Army (10 for female candidates), 42 seats in the Navy (3 for female candidates), and 120 seats in Airforce among which 28 seats are for ground duties. Other than this, 48 seats are vacant in the Naval Academy.
5. Who can apply for the NDA exam in 2023?
Any unmarried candidate can apply to NDA Examination 2023 who was born between 2 July 2004 and 1 July 2007. The candidates must pass the 10+2 exams from a recognised board or university.
6. Is it possible for a lady to give the NDA exam after Class 12?
Yes, following the Supreme Court's interim judgment, girls can now take the NDA exam. Previously, they were not permitted to take the exam. Only unmarried female candidates are eligible to take the NDA Exam. The female candidate must have passed Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 or equivalent. The date of birth on the candidate's Class 10 or 12 certificates will be accepted by the commission. Candidates must submit these certificates when the written exam results are announced. Male and female candidates equally get an opportunity to serve the nation.
7. Is mathematics required for the NDA exam?
Yes, candidates applying for NDA Air Force and Navy courses must have completed Class 12 Mathematics. The entire paper is worth 900 points, with the Maths section receiving 300 points. The difficulty level of NDA mathematical papers is usually moderate to difficult. Because the questions are largely from Classes 11 and 12, the NDA's Mathematics section is not difficult to grasp. Candidates might improve their exam scores by studying and practicing. According to NDA toppers, candidates should cover as much of the Maths syllabus as feasible.
8. Is it possible for me to pass the NDA exam on the first try?
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to pass the NDA exam on the first try. However, if you follow the sensible preparation methods, you can pass the NDA exam with flying colors. Understanding the level of questions asked in the examination can help you grasp the previous year's question paper. Solving many NDA question papers will also help you figure out which topics are important for the exam. In order to attain excellent exam scores, your study routine must be well-planned. You should also clarify your essentials in addition to your well-organized timetable.
