What Happens After NDA Selection Process?

Gaining admission in the National Defence Academy (NDA) is a dream that many young aspirants have in India. To even apply for the academy, you need to have passed the Written Examination, the SSB Interview, and various medical tests. But this selection process is just the first step. Once selected, cadets enter a grueling and transformative educational environment that trains them to become future leaders of the Indian Armed Forces. At Trishul Defence Academy, we coach candidates not just to pass the NDA exam but also to understand the process after NDA selection process.

Induction at NDA

Once a candidate is selected, the NDA Headquarters communicates the joining instructions. NDA, Khadakwasla Pune is where you formally join and the start of the NDA Training. Induction into the academy involves paperwork, medical re-verification, and orientation of the NDA to prepare the cadets with their new living situations, rules of the academy, discipline, and training schedules. This initial phase of the NDA journey is probably the most important time as it is the first step to commence NDA training and sets the tone for the next three years of training.

NDA Training Structure

The NDA programme has a very structured curriculum designed to integrate academic, military drills, and endurance fitness. The 3-year curriculum is divided into six 6-month terms which will be followed by the 1-year service academy training once cadets have graduated from NDA.

Academics

The educational program at the NDA is affiliated with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and includes offering cadets a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Science or Computer Science. 

• Science Stream: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science 
• Humanities Stream: Political Science, Economics, History, Geography, and languages
• Technical Training: Basic concepts of engineering related to respective service as a future officer in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Military Training

Military training at NDA is comprehensive and service-related. 

• Drill and Parade: Develops marching drill and formation, as well as military discipline. 
• Weapon Training: Using a rifle and firearms. 
• Field Craft and Tactics: Will cover survival skills, minor tactics, and map reading. 

Service-specific training:

• The Army will concentrate on infantry tactics and field craft. 
• Navy cadets will learn related to navigations, seamanship and ship system handling. 
• Air Force cadets will cover aerodynamics, fundamental aspects of aircraft mechanics and flight. 

Physical Training and Sports

Physical fitness plays a central role in the life of NDA. Every day cadets will undergo PT which can include running, push-ups, an obstacle course, swimming and eventually horsemanship (which cadets start learning gradually). Other sports will include football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and boxing, that help develop team work and quickness, both as an individual and unit. 

NDA Daily Routine

Academics, training and activities at NDA operate under strict time durations intended to develop resilience, time management and self-reliance. A typical NDA daily schedule, includes the following time slots: 

• 4:00 AM: Wake-up

• 5:00 AM: Physical Training & Drills

• 7:00 AM: Breakfast

• 8:00 AM: Academic Classes

• 1:00 PM: Lunch & Rest

• 3:00 PM: Sports / Military Training

• 6:00 PM: Study Hours & Assignments

• 8:00 PM: Dinner & Leisure Time

• 10:00 PM: Lights Out
  

This is an example of the Discipline that allows cadets to be set for the rigors of military life after NDA. 

NDA Culture and Traditions

The NDA fosters a culture that breeds pride, and the seeds of leadership. 

• Squadron System: The cadets are placed into, or assigned to one of 18 squadrons potentially causing some competition but also team building a camaraderie. 

• A Passing Out Parade (POP): the ceremony for completing the three years, prior to service academy specialization training for instance. 

• Cross-Country Runs and camps: during these runs or camps cadets complete physical endurance, survival skills, and mental toughness invigilation. 

• Leadership training: one of the senior cadets will be left in charge of a junior cadet to teach the junior cadet leadership skills, knowing that you will be training the future combat leader. 

NDA After 3 Years Training

Completing three years at NDA training provides the cadet the opportunity to attend different specialized training after NDA at service academies after: 

• Indian Military Academy (IMA) – Dehradun, Army cadets.
• Air Force Academy (AFA) – Hyderabad, Air Force cadets. 
• Indian Naval Academy (INA) – Ezhimala, Navy cadets.

Challenges and Rewards

Challenges:

• Maintaining high physical and mental fitness.
• Balancing academics with military training.
• Adjusting to stringent discipline.

Rewards:

• Becoming a commissioned officer in the Indian Armed Forces.
• Making healthy friendship bonds with even senior officers.
• Serving the country with pride and honour.

Life After NDA

The NDA life nurtures cadets and transforms them into disciplined, confident and capable leaders. The combination of academics, physical training, military training, and an engagement with an incredibly rich tradition will ensure cadets approach a career as a commissioned officer in the Indian Armed Forces with the utmost confidence. 

Conclusion

Life  after NDA selection process is a journey of growth, discipline, and transformation. Once cadets report to NDA and continue with the intense training period after NDA thereafter through their individual academies, everything contributes to the development of leadership, resilience, and excellence. 

For the aspirants, understanding what happens after NDA selection and then being ready for the challenges, becomes fundamental to success. In the right supervision, dedication, and attitude, the NDA experience not only claims to become successful personnel in the Armed Forces but develops the values of service, success, and dedication towards nations in future lifetime endeavors.

FAQs

1.Do we get salary during NDA training?

Yes, cadets in the NDA receive a stipend during the training period that will financially sustain them for three years in the academy.

2.When does NDA training start?

NDA training typically starts with the batch indicated in the joining instructions, either January or July of each year.

3.What is the salary of NDA cadets during training?

The stipend at the present rate is approximately ₹56,100 per month, which is more than enough to provide decent access to the essentials during your training period.

4.Where is NDA training done?

The NDA training is conducted at NDA, Khadakwasla in Pune. After serving training here at the NDA for three years, cadets will attend their respective service academies for specialized training after NDA at IMA, AFA or INA, based on their respective service branch.

5.What does life after NDA look like?

After NDA, cadets experience life at service academies for specialized training, before being commissioned as officers in the Indian Armed Forces. When they proceed to service academy training, cadets will continue to undergo a disciplined lifestyle and receive leadership training during this time.

6.What is the NDA daily schedule?

A day starts at 4:00 AM and ends at 10:00 PM, providing a balance of PT, academics, sports and drills to develop resilience and discipline.

7. What is the training period after NDA?

After three years training at the NDA, cadets will attend fifty weeks at their respective service academies, receiving specialized training after NDA before commissioning as officers