UPSC NDA & NA Examination

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination twice a year for candidates seeking admission to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This exam is highly competitive and requires rigorous preparation.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who wish to appear for the UPSC NDA & NA Examination must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Bhutan or Nepal, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India.
• Age limit: The candidate must be born between 2nd January 2004 and 1st January 2007 (both dates inclusive) for the NDA 1 2023 exam.
• Educational qualification: The candidate must have passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board.
• Physical standards: The candidate must be physically fit as per the standards set by the respective service headquarters.

Exam Pattern

The UPSC NDA & NA Examination consists of two papers – Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).

• Mathematics: The Mathematics paper consists of 120 questions, and the duration of the exam is 2.5 hours. The questions are of 10+2 level, and the topics covered include algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics.
• General Ability Test (GAT): The GAT paper consists of 150 questions, and the duration of the exam is 2.5 hours. The GAT paper is further divided into two parts – Part A and Part B.

Part A covers topics such as English, general knowledge, and current affairs, while Part B covers topics such as physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, and civics.

Selection Procedure

The selection process for the UPSC NDA & NA Examination is conducted in two stages – written examination and SSB interview.

1. Written Examination: The written examination consists of the Mathematics and GAT papers. The candidates who clear the written examination are eligible to appear for the SSB interview.
2. SSB Interview: The SSB interview consists of two stages – Stage I and Stage II. In Stage I, candidates undergo intelligence and personality tests, while in Stage II, candidates undergo psychological testing, group testing, and personal interview.

Final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in the written examination and the SSB interview.

Preparation Tips

To crack the UPSC NDA & NA Examination, it is essential to have a disciplined approach towards preparation. Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly is the first step towards achieving success. It is also important to create a study plan and allocate sufficient time to each subject, including Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Practicing previous year question papers and mock tests can help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam pattern and gain confidence. In addition, reading newspapers and staying updated with current affairs is crucial, as questions related to current events are often asked in the exam. Lastly, candidates must prioritize their physical fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle, as this exam requires candidates to be physically fit as per the standards set by the respective service headquarters.