NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY (NDA), KHADAKVASLA, PUNE

Date of Examination : The examination conducted by UPSC is held twice a year in the months of April and September for which the notification is published in the Employment News in November and April respectively.

Eligibility :

1. Army Wing of National Defence Academy : 12th Class pass of the 10 +2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
2. For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy : 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics conducted by a State Education Board or a University.

Pattern of Examination :

You will appear for two papers comprising Mathematics and General Ability of 300 and 600 marks respectively. Both papers have objective type multiple choice questions. The duration for each paper is 2-1/2 hours.

The Mathematics paper consists of Arithmetic, Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry, Trignometry and Statistics. The General Ability paper is divided into two parts :

• Part A : English Usage (Maximum Marks 200)
• Part B : General Knowledge (Maximum Marks 400)

The General Knowledge paper broadly covers Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography and Current Events.

Interview : (900 marks)

In addition to the interview, candidates are given the following tests :

• Intelligence Test (verbal and non-verbal)
• Group Tests (group discussions, group planning, out-door group tasks)
• Brief lectures on specified subjects.

All these tests are intended to judge the mental calibre of the candidate.

The selected candidates are trained at the NDA for 3 years. After completion of training they are awarded a Bachelor\'s degree by the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

Training

The selected candidates for the three services, viz., Army, Navy and Air Force are given preliminary training both academic and physical for a period of 3 years at the National Defence Academy which is an Inter-Service Institution. The training during the first two and a half years is common to the cadets of three wings. On passing out from the National Defence Academy, Army cadets go to the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun, Naval Cadets to the Cadets Trainingship and Air Force cadets to AFA, Hyderabad/BFTS, Allahabad.

The Indian Military College (RIMC) prepares students for NDA.

• The candidates should not be less than 12 years of age but must not have attained the age of 13 years on 1st January (for terms commencing on 20th January) and 1st July (for terms commencing on 1st August).
• The candidates should have passed class 7th from a recognised school at the time of admission into RIMC.

For the prospectus and question papers for admission to RIMC you may contact the Administrative Officer at the following address :

The Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) Dehradun Cantt. 248003, U.P.

COMBINED DEFENCE SERVICES EXAMINATION (C.D.S.)

This examination is conducted by UPSC twice a year in May and October for which the notification is published in the \'Employment News\' in November and April respectively.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

Educational Qualification

1. For IMA and Officers\' Training Academy : Degree of a recognised University or equivalent
2. For Naval Academy : B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics
3. For Airforce Academy : Degree of a recognised University or equivalent with Physics and/or Maths as subjects. Candidates who have passed their degree examination with subjects other than Physics and/or Maths are also eligible provided they have passed their Higher Secondary Examination or 12th standard examination under the 10+2 system or an equivalent examination with Mathematics and Physics, as subjects of the examination.

Age :

• IMA : Unmarried male candidates. 18 years to 23 years
• Naval Academy : Unmarried male candidates. 18 years to 21 years.
• Airforce Academy : Unmarried male candidates. 18 years to 22 years
• Officers\' Training : Male candidates (married or Academy bachelor). 18 years to 24 years

Pattern Of Examination :

The competitive examination comprises :

a) A written examination
b) An interview

Written Examination :

I. For admission to Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy :

II. For admission to Officers Training Academy :

Following the written examination selected candidates are called for an interview. In addition to the Interview candidates are also given the following tests :

• Intelligence Test (verbal and non-verbal)
• Group Tests (group discussions, group planning, out-door group tasks)
• Brief lectures on specified subjects.

All these tests are intended to judge the mental calibre of the candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment for not only one\'s intellectual qualities but also one\'s social traits and interests in current affairs.

CAREER PROSPECTS IN THE ARMED FORCES

Training and Promotion Avenues

Following your selection in one of the three services viz. Army, Navy and Airforce (through the NDA entrance examination), you are given preliminary training, both academic and physical, for a period of three years at the National Defence Academy (NDA) which is an inter-service Institution. The training during the first two and a half years is common to the cadets of the three wings.

On passing out from the National Defence Academy, Army cadets go to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Naval Cadets to the Cadets Trainingship and Air Force cadets to AFA, Hyderabad / BFTS, Allahabad. Here they are joined by those who have been selected through the Combined Defence Service (CDS) examination.

At the IMA, Army Cadets are known as Gentleman Cadets and are given strenuous military training for a period of one year aimed at turning out officers capable of leading infantry sub-units. On successful completion of their training, Gentleman Cadets are granted a Permanent Commission in the rank of 2nd Lieutenants subject to being medically fit.

The Naval Cadets are selected for the Executive, Engineering and Electrical branches of the Navy, on passing out from the National Defence Academy and are given sea training on the Cadet Trainingship for a period of six months on successful completion of which they are promoted to the rank of Midshipmen. After a further training of six months in the respective branches to which they are allocated they are promoted to the rank of acting Sub-Lieutenants.

Air Force Cadets receive flying training for a period of 1 - 1 1/2 years. However, at the end of one year of training they are given provisional commission in the rank of Pilot Officer. After successful completion of further training of six months they are absorbed as permanent commissioned officers on probation for a period of one year.

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