NDA
Entry as officer cadets into the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. Cadets graduate with a degree and are commissioned as officers.
Eligibility
Unmarried men and women aged roughly 16.5 to 19.5 years on the course start date; Class 12 pass or appearing. The Army wing accepts any stream, while the Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy entries require Physics and Mathematics in Class 12. Candidates must also meet service medical and physical standards; there is no cap on attempts within the age band.
Age limit: 16.5 to 19.5 years (exact birth-date window notified per cycle)
Exam pattern
Offline OMR written test of two papers on one day: Mathematics (120 questions, 300 marks, 2.5 hours) and General Ability Test (150 questions, 600 marks, 2.5 hours; 200 marks English and 400 marks General Knowledge covering physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography and current affairs). Negative marking of one-third of the question's marks for each wrong answer. Written-qualified candidates attend a five-day SSB interview worth 900 marks; final merit is on 1,800 marks, subject to medicals.
Syllabus at a glance
Mathematics covers Class 11-12 level algebra, matrices and determinants, trigonometry, analytical geometry (2D and 3D), differential and integral calculus, differential equations, vector algebra, statistics and probability. The General Ability Test covers English (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension) and general knowledge across physics, chemistry, general science, history and the freedom struggle, geography and current events.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NDA & NA (I) 2027 notification (per UPSC Calendar 2027) | 2 Dec 2026 | expected |
| Online application window | 2-22 Dec 2026 | expected |
| NDA & NA (I) 2027 written exam | 11 Apr 2027 (Sunday) | confirmed |
| Written result (I) 2027 | May-Jun 2027 | expected |
| NDA & NA (II) 2027 notification | 12 May 2027 (applications till about 1 Jun 2027) | expected |
| NDA & NA (II) 2027 written exam | 19 Sep 2027 (Sunday) | confirmed |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Pathfinder for NDA & NA Entrance Examination - Arihant Experts (Arihant)
- Mathematics for NDA & NA - R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand)
- NDA/NA Chapterwise-Sectionwise Solved Papers - Arihant Experts (Arihant)
- Objective General English - S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Lucent's General Knowledge - Lucent Publications
- Mathematics Class 11 and 12 - NCERT
How toppers play it
- With one-third negative marking across 270 questions, attempt only where you can eliminate at least two options; 50-60 per cent accuracy-weighted attempts usually clear the written cutoff.
- Mathematics (300 marks) decides most results: drill calculus, trigonometry, matrices and probability, which account for the majority of questions, and practise finishing 120 questions in 150 minutes.
- In the GAT, English (200 marks) is the highest-scoring part; secure it first, then focus on physics and history, which carry the most GK weight.
- There is a minimum qualifying mark in each paper (around 25 per cent), so do not neglect either paper to chase the aggregate.
- Start SSB preparation (fitness, current affairs, self-awareness for the Personal Interview) alongside the written exam, as the 900-mark interview carries more weight than the written test.