You are searching for NDA full form, means you have taken the first step towards joining Indian Armed forces. NDA is not just an academy, its an emotion. It is the best academy if you want to do career in Indian armed forces because this academy will give you best career aspects as your career start at the age of 17 years if you clear the NDA examination.
In this article of NDA full form, we will see A to Z details of NDA which every NDA aspirant must know before preparing for NDA exam. You will get a virtual tour of this prestigious academy after going through this article on National Defence Academy.
Awareness about NDA exam is very less and same is the case with the National Defence Academy. Youth of India is not aware about life at NDA and career aspects it provide at such a small age.
Moreover, even if you are aware about National Defence Academy, there are many doubts regarding NDA self-preparation, NDA cut off, NDA SSB Interview, etc which will be cleared in this detailed guide. So, keep patience till the end (lets understand more than just full form of NDA)
National Defence Academy (A to Z details)
First thing first. We will see National Defence Academy from birds-eye view so that we have basic overview of National Defence Academy. Due to which you could relate and imagine everything which we want to tell you.
National Defence Academy is spread over 7,015 acres in Pune Maharashtra. It offers full time undergraduate programme for candidates who want to join armed forces.
NDA offers Bachelor’s degree in Arts/Science during 3 years training at National defence academy after which cadets have to take specialized 1 year training at IMA, INA or AFA respectively depending upon their branch (Army, Navy or Air Force)
| Location of National Defence Academy (NDA) | Khadakwasla, Pune (Maharashtra) |
| Motto of National Defence Academy | Service Before Self |
| Duration of Training at NDA | 3 Years |
| Which Cadets are Trained at NDA | Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force |
| Exams to Join National Defence Academy |
You can join NDA via only 1 exam, that is,
NDA and NA exam (After 12th standard) |
| Commission via National Defence Academy | Permanent Commission only |
| Age limit for NDA exam | 16.5-19.5 years (But can give exam at 15.7 yrs) |
| What is Full form of NDA ? | National Defence Academy |
| Can girls join NDA ? | No |
| National Defence Academy Eligibility | 12th Passed from Arts, Commerce, Science |
Battalions and Squadrons at NDA (Life at NDA)
(First 4 batallions have 4 Sqaudrons each and 5th Batallion has 2 Sqadrons=total 18 Sqaudrons)
At the time of reporting day, each cadet is allotted one of the 18 Squadrons which becomes there home for next 3 years at NDA.
Names of 18 Squadrons at National Defence Academy:
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hunter, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Panther, Quebec and Romeo
The Battalion and Squadron colours at National Defence Academy, Pune
What is NDA? - in the words of "NDA Commandant"
Who can apply for NDA exam?
NDA exam is Joint Military Training academy which needs:
- Aspirants who have cleared 12th standard
- Also aspirants who are 12th standard appear
- You can be from Arts, Science or Commerce Background (eligibility for Army, Navy and Air Force is different)
- You must be within 16.5 -19.5 years age limit
NDA Age Limit (To the Point)
You must be between age group of 16.5 to 19.5 years at the time of joining of National Defence Academy. But you must know that your first NDA attempt can be given when you are 15 years and 7 Months old.
- For that you need to be 12th standard appear.
Instead of discussing much about NDA age limit 2020, we will directly see the age limit for upcoming NDA 1 2020 and NDA 2 2020 attempts in terms of age limit as well as exact dates in which your birthdate must lie.
NDA 1 2020 Age limit
You must be born between 2nd July 2001 to 1st July 2004
NDA 2 2020 Age limit
You must be born between 2nd January 2002 to 1st January 2005
NDA 1 2020 Age limit in terms of years
Your age must be between 15 years 9 months to 18 years 9 months
NDA 2 2020 Age limit in terms of years
Your age must be between 15 years 10 months to 18 years 10 months
NDA exam form filling process ( Online )
NDA Form filling takes place 2 times in a year for NDA 1 and NDA 2 exams respectively.
1. NDA 1 2020 Form filling begins on: 8th January 2020
2. NDA 2 2020 Form filling begins on: 10th June 2020
NDA Form filling process is done completely online. NDA form filling takes place in 2 stages.
- Part 1 Registration for NDA exam
- Part 2 Registration for NDA exam
NDA Part 1 Registration Includes:
- Full Name
- Fathers Name
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Mothers name
- Email ID for Contact
- Permanent Address
- Educational Qualification
- Mobile Number
- Caste (No reservation, only fee exemption)
NDA Part 2 Registration Includes:
- Selecting academy preferences
- Selecting Exam center
- Payment of exam fees (Online + Offline via SBI Challan)
- Uploading scanned Photograph
- Uploading scanned signature
- Uploading Photo ID
NDA Syllabus (Chapter-wise weightage)
You will get NDA Maths syllabus and NDA GAT Syllabus in detailed article on syllabus for NDA exam. Let us now focus on most important part related to syllabus, that is, Chapter-wise weightage of NDA exam.
NDA GK paper Chapter-Wise Weightage
- English
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- History, Freedom struggle
- Geography
- Current Affairs
Check similar chapter-wise weightage for NDA exam Maths paper and English paper in NDA syllabus breakdown article.
Its must to know the weightage of each chapter so that you can manage your time accordingly.
NDA Eligibility (Qualification, Physical, Medical)
It is necessary to know NDA eligibility criteria in terms of educational qualification, Physical and medical tests before filling the online application form.
You must have Passed 12th standard or equivalent examination from a recognized board with Physics and Maths (its Compulsory)
Passed 12th standard or equivalent examination from a recognized board (Arts, Commerce or Science)
You must have Passed 12th Standard or equivalent examination from a recognized board with Physics and Maths (Its Compulsory)
NDA Cut Off Analysis
NDA exam Cut off varies for every attempt depending on:
- Difficulty level of paper
- Number of aspirants appearing exam
Let us see NDA official cutoff for last 4 years in a tabular format:
| NDA 1 2019 Cut off: | 342 Marks |
| NDA 2 2018 Cut off : | 325 Marks |
| NDA 1 2018 Cut off : | 338 Marks |
| NDA 2 2017 Cut off: | 258 Marks |
| NDA 1 2017 Cut off: | 342 Marks |
| NDA 2 2016 Cut off: | 229 Marks |
| NDA 1 2016 Cut off: | 228 Marks |
| NDA 2 2015 Cut off: | 306 Marks |
NDA exam Pattern 2020
Basic pattern of NDA exam 2020:
| Subject | Code of Subject | Time Duration | Marks Allotted |
| Mathematics | 01 | 150 minutes | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 02 | 150 minutes | 600 |
| Total Marks | 900 |
I have made a detailed article on NDA exam pattern for 2020 which will help you to understand much more details related to exam pattern.
NDA exam Centers for Written exam
NDA exam is conducted all over India in following main cities of India in offline format:
Number of Vacancies for NDA exam
Vacancies of NDA exam vary for every attempt. But vacancies are more or less same.
This table given below will give you idea about NDA exam 2020 Vacancies:
There are total 415 Vacancies for NDA 1 2020 exam.
| 1. National Defence Academy | 370 Vacancies |
| 208 for Army | |
| 42 for Navy | |
|
120 for Air Force
( 28 are for Ground Duty) |
|
| 2. Naval Academy | 45 Vacancies |
Conclusion
We have seen much more than just knowing NDA full form. Now its time to start NDA preparation as per detailed strategies made for clearing NDA exam in first attempt.
- NDA Maths Preparation (115+ Marks): Click Here
- NDA GAT preparation (315+ Marks): Click Here
- How to crack NDA exam in First Attempt : Click Here
NDA exam is conducted by Union Public Service Commission which make the Written exam of NDA difficult. You need to study as per strategy and be consistent in your preparation if you want to be part of the National Defence Academy.
How was this article on Full form of NDA? Do let us know in the comment section below.
Jai Hind !