NDA
Entry after Class 12 into the National Defence Academy (Army, Navy and Air Force wings) and the Indian Naval Academy's 10+2 Cadet Entry, leading to a permanent commission as an officer along with a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) degree.
Eligibility
Unmarried male and female candidates aged 16.5 to 19.5 years on the course commencement date. The Army wing requires Class 12 in any stream; the Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy wings require Physics and Mathematics in Class 12. Candidates appearing in Class 12 may also apply. There is no cap on attempts within the age window.
Age limit: 16.5-19.5 years (unmarried)
Exam pattern
Offline, pen-and-paper, both papers on one day. Paper I is Mathematics: 120 questions, 300 marks, 2.5 hours. Paper II is the General Ability Test (GAT): 150 questions, 600 marks, 2.5 hours, split into English (200 marks) and General Knowledge covering physics, chemistry, general science, history, geography and current events (400 marks). One-third of a question's marks are deducted for each wrong answer. Qualifiers face a five-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview worth 900 marks, making a 1,800-mark final merit list.
Syllabus at a glance
Mathematics is Class 11-12 level: algebra, trigonometry, matrices, analytical geometry, calculus, vectors, statistics and probability. GAT English tests grammar, vocabulary and comprehension. The GK section spans physics, chemistry and general science at roughly Class 9-12 NCERT level, plus Indian history, geography, polity and current affairs including defence-related news.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 e-admit card | Aug 2026 (released) | confirmed |
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 written exam | 13 Sept 2026 | confirmed |
| NDA & NA (II) 2026 written result | Oct 2026 (expected) | expected |
| NDA & NA (I) 2027 notification and application window | Dec 2026 (expected) | expected |
| NDA & NA (I) 2027 written exam | Apr 2027 (expected) | expected |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- Pathfinder NDA/NA — Arihant Experts
- Mathematics for NDA and NA — R.S. Aggarwal
- Objective General English — S.P. Bakshi
- General Knowledge — Lucent Publications
- Manorama Yearbook (current edition)
How toppers play it
- GAT carries 600 of the 900 written marks — English and GK decide the merit list, so do not let maths prep crowd them out.
- With one-third negative marking and recent cutoffs around 330-360 out of 900, roughly 55-60% accurate attempts beat reckless full attempts.
- Paper I gives about 75 seconds per maths question: memorise formulae cold and practise elimination through past-paper timed sets.
- Start SSB preparation (OIR tests, PPDT, interview basics) alongside written prep — the SSB's 900 marks equal the written exam's weight.
- Revise NCERT Classes 9-12 science thoroughly; GAT physics and chemistry questions rarely go beyond that level.