NDA-Exam-II

Exam Announced? NO

Note: UPSC has announced the schedule, forms will be available from 28th May, 2025.

An Examination will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission for admission to the

(a) 156th Course of Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and

(b) 118th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC)

commencing from  July 2026.

Intake

Army: 208 (including 10 for female candidates)
Navy: 42 (including 6 for female candidates)
Air Force: 92 (including 2 for female candidates) in Flying
18 (including 2 for female candidates) in Ground Duty Tech
10 (including 2 for female candidates) in Ground Duty non-Tech
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) : 34 (including 5 for female candidates)
Total: 404

Selection procedure

To be acceptable, candidates for the Army/Navy/Naval Academy and Air Force should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in

(i) Written examination as fixed by the Commission at their discretion and

(ii) Officer Potentiality Test as fixed by the Services Selection Board at their discretion.

Over and above candidates for the Air Force, and all the SSB qualified candidates as per their willingness, eligibility, and preference for flying branch of Air Force, should separately qualify the CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System).

Subject to these conditions the qualified candidates will then be placed in a single combined list on the basis of total marks secured by them in the Written Examination and the Services Selection Board Tests.

The final allocation/selection for admission to the Army, Navy, Air Force of the National Defence Academy and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of Indian Naval Academy will be made up to the number of vacancies available subject to eligibility, medical fitness, and merit-cum preference of the candidates.

The candidates who are eligible to be admitted to multiple Services / Courses will be considered for allocation/selection with reference to their order or preferences and in the event of their final allocation/ selection to one Service/Course, they will not be considered for admission to other remaining Services/Courses.

Degrees & Career paths in NDA (Army, Navy, Air Force) & Naval Academy

(1) 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 half years is common to the cadets of three wings. All the cadets on passing out will be awarded degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi as under :

(a) Army Cadets - B.Sc/ B.Sc (Computer)/ B.A

(b) Naval Cadets - B. Tech Degree

(c) Air Force Cadets - B. Tech Degree / BSc / BSc (Computer)

All the cadets undergoing B.Sc/B.Sc(Computer)/BA Degree program shall be awarded the degree on the successful completion of Academics, Physical and Service Training at NDA.

All the cadets undergoing the B Tech program shall be awarded the B.Tech degree on the subsequent Pre Commissioning Training Academies/ Institutions/ Ships/ Air Craft.

The selected candidates of the Naval Academy will be given preliminary training both academic and physical, for a period of 04 years at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. The cadets of the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme will be awarded a B. Tech Degree on successful completion of training.

(2) On passing out from the National Defence Academy, Army Cadets go to the Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun, Naval Cadets to Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala and Air Force cadets (flying & ground duty non-tech) to Air Force academy Hyderabad and Air Force cadets (ground duty tech) to Air Force Technical College Bengaluru. 

(3) At the I.M.A. Army Cadets are known as Gentlemen/Lady Cadets and are given strenuous military training for a period of one year aimed at turning them into officers capable of leading infantry Sub-units. On successful completion of training, Gentlemen/Lady Cadets are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lt subject to being medically fit in "SHAPE" one.

(4)(i) The Naval cadets are selected for the Executive Branch of the Navy, on passing out from the National Defence Academy and are given further training at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala for a period of one year on successful completion of which they are promoted to the rank of Sub Lieutenants.

(4)(ii) Selected candidates for the Naval Academy under (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) will be inducted as Cadets for four-year B.Tech course in Applied Electronics & Communication Engineering (for Executive Branch), Mechanical Engineering (for Engineering Branch including Naval Architect specialization) or Electronics & Communication Engineering (for Electrical Branch) as per Naval requirements. On completion of the course, B. Tech Degree will be awarded by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

(5) Air Force Flying Branch Cadets receive flying training for a period of one and a half years. On successful completion of one year of basic flying training (Pilots), they are granted Permanent Commission (on probation) in the rank of Flying Officer, for a period of six months. Permanent Commission is then confirmed in respect of those officers who successfully complete the flying training conversion course for pilots lasting for a period of approximately six months.

Air Force Ground Duties Branch Cadets are granted Commission (on probation) in the rank of Flying Officer, for six months on successful completion of training at AFA. On successful completion of the probationary period of approximately six months, the Permanent Commission is then confirmed.

Deposit: Candidates finally selected for training at the Academy will be required to deposit the following amount with the Commandant, National Defence Academy, on their arrival there:
(a) Pocket allowance for five months @ Rs. 3000.00 per month:  Rs.15000.00
(b) For items of clothing and equipment: TBD
(c) Army Group Insurance Fund: Rs.7200.00
(d) Clothing items required at the time of joining: TBD
(e) Incidental Expenditure during 1st Semester: Rs.13176.00
Total Rs.35376.00 (not incl items b & d)   

Out of the amount mentioned above the following amount is refundable to the candidates in the event of financial aid being sanctioned to them:
(a) Pocket allowance for @ Rs.1000.00 per month

(b) For items of clothing and equipment- TBD

Multiple scholarships by states and other bodies are available for eligible candidates.  

Conducted by: UPSC

Conducting organization type: Other

Additional info: The exam is popular across All India