How to apply
Applications are now open for the NDA & Naval Academy (I) 2025 exam. Here’s all the important information to get you started!
- Important Dates:
- Notification Release: 11th December, 2024
- Application Deadline: 31st December, 2024 | 6:00 PM
- Application Correction window: 1st – 7th January, 2025
- Exam Dates: 13th April, 2025
- Exam Fees : INR 100 for male candidates belonging to the General and OBC categories. However, SC/ST/Women candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from paying the fees.
- There are 2 exams : NDA 1 and NDA 2. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the January batch. Whereas, the NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to the July batch. There is no difference in the pattern or content of the exams.
- Admit cards will be available for download 7 days before the exam on the UPSC website.
- Application link: https://upsconline.gov.in/upsc/OTRP/
- Documents Required :
- Scanned copy of the Photograph and Signature.
- Valid Photo Identity Card (Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID Card, Driving Licence, etc).
- Admit Card and Marksheet of Class 10 and 12.
Steps to fill the form
Part I: Registration
- Visit the Official Website: Go to upsconline.nic.in.
- New Registration: Click on the “New Registration” link on the homepage.
- Enter Personal Details: Fill in personal information, educational qualifications, and your address. Required details include:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Aadhar Number
- Father’s Name
- Mother’s Name
- Select Preferred Branches: Choose your preferred branches: Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.
- Preview Details: Review the information entered in the application form.
- Generate Registration ID: After completing the previous steps, your registration ID will appear on the screen.
Part II: Application Submission
- Login: Go back to upsconline.nic.in and log in using your Email ID/Mobile Number/OTR ID and password.
- Pay Application Fees: Pay the application fee of Rs 100 through available payment options (Cash, Credit/Debit Card, UPI, etc.). Note: No fees for SC/ST candidates, female candidates, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs.
- Choose Exam Centres: Select any three NDA Exam Centres in the application form.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and Photo ID Card.
- Submit Declaration: Click “I agree” on the declaration form and submit your NDA application.
- Download/Print: Download or print the NDA Application Form 2025 for future reference.
Modification window for application and registration profiles: 1st – 7th January 2025
NOTE : Candidates must apply online for the NDA 2025 exam at upsconline.nic.in. The candidates must first register at the One Time Registration (OTR) platform and then complete the online UPSC NDA application form 2024. Candidates must note that they can register for OTR only once in a lifetime. If the aspirant is already registered, they can complete the online NDA 2 application form 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for NDA, candidates must meet specific criteria that ensure they are physically and mentally fit for military training.
- Nationality:
- Must be an Indian citizen, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan. Candidates from other countries are not eligible.
- A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle in India or
- A person originally Indian who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India.
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old at the time of joining. For instance, if the course begins in July, candidates must be born between July of the previous year and January of the current year.
- Marital status : Unmarried
- Educational Qualifications:
- For Army Wing: A candidate must have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board or university.
- For Air Force and Naval Wings: Candidates must have completed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics as subjects.
- Physical Standards:
- Height: Minimum height is 157 cm for boys and varies slightly for girls (minimum 152 cm). For detailed standards check Appendix IV in the official notification.
- Weight: Must be proportionate to height and age.
- Vision Standards:
| Category | Eligibility Criteria |
| Class 1 | – Best eyesight; eligible for all branches of the Indian Armed Forces |
| Class 2 | – Slight visual impairments; eligible for specific branches |
| Class 3 | – Limitations in eyesight; eligible for non-combat positions |
| Myopia | – Class 1: Max -2.5D – > -2.5D considered Class 2 |
| Hypermetropia | – Class 1: Max +3.5D – > +3.5D considered Class 2 |
| Visual Acuity | – 6/6 (corrected) in better eye; 6/9 (corrected) in worse eye |
| Colour Vision | – Normal colour vision (assessed by Ishihara or similar tests) |
The following medical conditions also apply to NDA:
- Applicants must have a routine ECG that is within normal norms in order to join the AirForce.
- An adequate number of natural, healthy teeth.
- No anomalies should be found during the USG abdomen scan.
- There shouldn’t be any skin conditions.
- Urine tests must reveal no abnormalities.
- The liver or spleen should not be enlarged.
- No signs of heart disease or blood vessel disease are present, and blood pressure is normal.
- There is no speech impairment.
- The ability to hear normally is required of candidates.
- No history of illnesses or fits exists.
- The joints and bones should both function properly.
To know more in detail about the physical requirements of NDA, refer to the latest notice released.
Admission Process
The admission process to NDA is competitive and consists of several crucial steps.
- Written Examination:
- Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year.
- Exam Structure:
- Mathematics: 300 marks covering topics like Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, and Statistics.
- General Ability Test: 600 marks, divided into:
- English: 200 marks (grammar, comprehension, vocabulary).
- General Knowledge: 400 marks (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events).
- Total Marks: 900.
Syllabus
- English: Reading Comprehension, Synonyms, Antonyms, Spotting errors, Vocabulary, Idioms and Phrases, etc.
- NDA Maths Syllabus: Matrices and Determinants, Sets, Venn Diagram, Trigonometry, 2D and 3D Geometry, Differential Calculus, etc.
- General Knowledge: History, Chemistry, Current Affairs, Art and Culture, Physics, Chemistry, Basic Science, etc.
- For detailed syllabus : NDA NA Exam -1 Notice 2025
| Parameter | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks | 600 Marks |
| Total Number of Questions | 120 | 150 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 2.5 marks | 4 marks |
| Marks Deducted for Incorrect Answer | -0.83 marks | -1.33 marks (each section) |
| Total Duration | 2 Hours 30 Minutes | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
- SSB Interview:
- Candidates who clear the written examination will be called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
- SSB Process:
- Duration: 5 days, involving various tests:
- Day 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT).
- Days 2-5: Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officers (GTO) tasks, and Personal Interview.
- Candidates are evaluated on their psychological attributes, leadership potential, and ability to work in teams.
- Duration: 5 days, involving various tests:
| Day | Activities |
| Day 1 | Screening Test |
| – OIR Test: Verbal and non-verbal assessments | |
| – PPDT: Story writing and group discussion based on a picture | |
| Day 2 | Psychological Testing |
| – TAT: Story writing based on 11 pictures | |
| – WAT: Rapid responses to words, creating a cohesive paragraph | |
| – SRT: Responding to 60 situations in 30 minutes | |
| – SDT: Self-assessment from various perspectives | |
| Day 3-4 | Group Testing |
| – Group discussions, planning exercises, outdoor tasks, and individual tasks | |
| – Activities include GPE, PGT, HGT, IOT, Command Task, Snake Race, and Lecturette | |
| Day 5 | Conference and Interview |
| – Review of candidate performances by the board | |
| – Individual interview focusing on personal goals and current affairs |
- Final Selection:
- Candidates are selected based on their performance in the written examination and the SSB interview, followed by medical examinations to ensure fitness for service.
- Exam Centers : There are different exam centres in different states. Which are as follows.
- Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Bengaluru, Bareilly, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Dehradun, Delhi, Dharwad, Dispur, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Jorhat, Kochi, Kohima, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji (Goa), Patna, Port Blair, Raipur, Ranchi, Sambalpur, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, Udaipur and Visakhapatnam.
How to Prepare
Effective preparation for the NDA involves a multi-faceted approach, combining academic study, practical exercises, and mental conditioning.
- Study Material:
- Mathematics:
- NCERT Textbooks: Start with NCERT textbooks for a solid foundation in Mathematics.
- Reference Books: Use reference books like “Objective Mathematics” by R.D. Sharma for practice and “Mathematics for Class 11 & 12” by R.D. Sharma for advanced topics.
- Mathematics:
- General Ability:
- General Knowledge: “General Knowledge” by Lucent provides a broad overview of current affairs, history, and geography.
- Current Affairs: Subscribe to monthly magazines and read up newspapers daily for updates on national and international events.
- Reading Comprehension: Practise comprehension passages from various sources to improve reading speed and comprehension skills.
- Practice Papers:
- Previous Years’ Papers: Regularly solve previous years’ NDA question papers. This familiarises you with the exam pattern and question types. Previous Year Question Papers Archives | UPSC
- Mock Tests: Use online platforms that offer mock tests for the NDA. Simulate the exam environment to build stamina and time management skills. Some sites where you can access mock tests are:
– NDA Mock Tests | National Defence Academy Exam Practice Tests
– NDA Mock Test Series 2024
– NDA Mock Test Series 2024 - Error Analysis: After each mock test, analyse your performance. Identify mistakes and focus on understanding the underlying concepts.
- Time Management:
- Daily Study Schedule: Divide your study time into blocks (e.g., 2-hour sessions) with short breaks in between. A typical day might include:
- 2 hours of Mathematics
- 2 hours of English
- 2 hours of General Knowledge
- Weekly Goals: Set achievable weekly goals, such as completing specific chapters or practice papers. Review your goals regularly to track progress.
- Time Allocation for Physical Fitness: Allocate specific time slots for physical training. Early mornings or evenings are ideal for workouts to ensure you stay consistent.
- Daily Study Schedule: Divide your study time into blocks (e.g., 2-hour sessions) with short breaks in between. A typical day might include:
When to Prepare
Preparation for the NDA requires a structured timeline and a clear plan. Here’s how you can organise your preparation effectively:
| Timeline | Activities |
| 12 Months Before | – Begin preparation and familiarise with the exam format- Take a diagnostic test |
| 9-10 Months Before | – Organise syllabus into subjects and topics- Establish a consistent daily study routine |
| 6-8 Months Before | – Focus on understanding key concepts in depth- Incorporate diverse study materials (books, videos) |
| 3-5 Months Before | – Create summary notes for quick revisions- Participate in study groups for collaborative learning |
| 1-2 Months Before | – Schedule regular full-length mock exams to simulate test conditions- Prioritise physical fitness with specific training goals |
| Final Month | – Revise high-yield topics and practice targeted weak areas- Use relaxation techniques to manage pre-exam anxiety |
Physical Fitness Preparation
| Category | Details |
| Cardiovascular Training | – Running: Long-distance (3-5 km daily); increase distance over time – Interval Training: Sprint for 1 min, walk for 2 mins |
| Strength Training | – Bodyweight Exercises: Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, planks – Resistance Training: Use bands or weights; focus on squats and lunges |
| Flexibility and Endurance | – Yoga and Stretching: Improve flexibility and reduce injury risk – Swimming: Full-body workout enhancing endurance |
| Diet and Hydration | – Balanced Diet: Include lean proteins, complex carbs, and healthy fats – Hydration: Drink 2-3 litres of water daily for optimal performance |
