What is NDA Entry & Eligibility : Who Can Apply?

The National Defence Academy (NDA) has long been a gold standard of opportunity for young Indians looking to serve their country. The NDA Entry is an opportunity to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force immediately after completing Class 12. But before you can apply to become a cadet in the NDA, it is essential that you fully understand the NDA eligibility requirements, examination format, syllabus, and admission and joining procedures. The professionals at Trishul Defence Academy can provide you with the resources and information you need to choose and think about whether the NDA is a viable career choice for you or not.

What Is NDA Exam?

The NDA exam is an all-India level entrance examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the selection of candidates to become commissioned officers in the following three wings of the armed forces:

• Army Wing of the NDA (Army)
• Naval Wing of the NDA / Naval Academy (Navy)
• Air Force Wing of the NDA (Air Force)

And if you’re asking, what is NDA exam for? The NDA Examination is for students (who have completed Class 12) who want to become military officers in the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, or Indian Navy. Successful candidates will report directly to the NDA at Khadakwasla, where they undergo intense training and are prepared to enter service as commissioned officers.

NDA Entry Eligibility – Who Can Apply?

If you’re wondering, What is NDA exam eligibility? Then this section is for you.

Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements before applying for the NDA. Eligibility criteria include age, educational qualification, nationality, marital status, and physical/medical fitness.

1. Age (NDA Entry Age)

• For NDA 2026: Candidates must be between the ages of 16 years and 5 months (minimum) to 19 years and 5 months (maximum) on the date they are to start training. 
• Thus, for NDA 1 2026, a candidate must have been born on or after July 2, 2007, and on or before July 1, 2010. 
• A candidate must also be unmarried (male or female) at the time of joining.

2. Educational Qualification (NDA Qualification)

• Candidates who wish to apply for the Army Wing must have either completed Class 12 or an equivalent from a recognised board of education; it does not matter what stream a candidate has taken up in school, so long as he/she meet this requirement. 
• Eligibility criteria for Air Force and Navy Wing (including Naval Academy) applicants: Applicants must have completed (or be sitting for) a final examination in Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as part of their academic curriculum. 
• There is no specific minimum percentage requirement for eligibility.

3.Nationality / Citizenship

• Candidates must be an Indian Citizen OR meet one of the above categories (i.e., a person of Indian origin who is a resident of a particular category, etc., as per the applicable official notification)

4. Physical & Medical Standards

Candidates must pass the physical fitness and medical fitness standards set by the NDA The medical fitness covers things like eyesight, overall health, and physical condition. Any candidate who does not meet one of these requirements is automatically disqualified, so it is essential to check that a candidate meets all of these eligibility criteria before applying.

NDA Syllabus & How Many Subjects in NDA

NDA Candidates must take two papers to complete the NDA entrance exam.

Mathematics

The Mathematics section carries a total of 300 marks. 

Subjects include:

• Algebra
• Trigonometry
• Calculus
• Statistics
• Geometry

General Ability Test (GAT)

The General Ability Test, or GAT, is worth a total of 600 marks. The GAT is divided into four main sections, and the subject areas included in each of these sections relate to:

• English Language
• History, Geography, Physics, and Chemistry
• General Knowledge and Current Affairs

As seen above, there are two primary subject areas for the NDA entrance exam. Therefore, candidates preparing for the NDA entrance exam must be able to balance Mathematics and English proficiency with a good base of General Knowledge. Each subject area for the NDA entrance exam carries a different number of marks.

NDA Admission Process & NDA Joining Process

Here’s how the NDA admission process works, from application to joining:

1. Apply online via UPSC’s official portal when the notification is out.
2. There are two parts to the Written Exam – Math and GAT.
3. The next part is the SSB Interview (Services Selection Board). As part of this process, you will be tested on your personality, physical abilities, and medically.
4. Medical and Physical Fitness Check to qualify for the selection, candidates need to pass the Medical and Physical Fitness Check, as well as the Educational Eligibility.
5. if you are selected as one of the successful candidates, you will be required to join the training academy for the army, navy, or air force.

The journey from application → exam → interview → selection → joining is structured, rigorous, and designed to ensure only the best-suited candidates become officers.

How Many Attempts in NDA?

Although there is no maximum number of attempts to apply for NDA, you must meet the age limit and other eligibility criteria to qualify. Several aspirants who wish to improve their performance appear at the exam multiple times.

This flexibility is beneficial, but plans should be made well in advance for the future, with the expectation that there will be multiple attempts to pass the NDA exam. 

Is NDA Syllabus and CDS Syllabus Same?

The answer to that is NO! NDA is for 10+2 candidates, while CDS is for graduate candidates and therefore has a different syllabus, patterns, and eligibility. The NDA syllabus consists of Mathematics up to the level of 12 and General Ability, while the CDS consists of Knowledge of all the Services and Thematic Knowledge. Thus, it should be noted that a successful NDA preparation should follow the NDA syllabus, and not the CDS syllabus or format.

When to Start Preparing for NDA?

Candidates are encouraged to start preparation as soon as possible – ideally after completing Class 10 or as a part of Class 11 and Class 12 preparation. Starting early gives candidates an opportunity to build a solid foundation in Mathematics and General Knowledge, understand the NDA examination pattern and practice for the Physical Fitness and Standards that are required for the exam.

At Trishul Defence Academy, we encourage candidates to begin their NDA preparation early, giving them an advantage over their peers and increasing their chances of being successful.

Why Choose Trishul Defence Academy for NDA Preparation?

Trishul Defence Academy Offers:

1. An integrated curriculum that includes preparation for both Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT).
2. A structured training programme of 12 months duration, which is particularly beneficial for candidates who will take the NDA written examination in Class 12 or who will have just completed their Class 12 exam.
3. Practice through Mock Tests, previous years’ question papers, and a complete analysis of the candidate’s results.
4. Guidance on the SSB Interview process, as well as on the Physical Fitness and Medical Standards requirements for candidates to be successful in the NDA exams.
5. Individualised one-on-one mentoring from qualified instructors and regular sessions to answer any questions or doubts.

Conclusion

Candidates who have either finished or will be finishing their 12th-grade studies and want to join India’s military forces have a wonderful and respectable option available to them through the NDA Entry.  Understanding NDA entry eligibility, NDA entrance exam syllabus, NDA exam process, and NDA joining process is essential, as you need to know all four areas to qualify; even missing one of these areas could eliminate your chance of success.

At Trishul Defence Academy, we take a clear, structured, and focused approach to guide NDA aspirants. If you are committed to your career as an NDA aspirant, you must begin preparing for your NDA Entry early, check your eligibility, and train your mind and body effectively.

Join Trishul Defence Academy today, You may begin your journey from an NDA aspirant to becoming an NDA officer today.

FAQs

Q1. What is NDA exam?

The NDA exam is an examination for students looking to enter the National Defence Academy to pursue a career with the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

Q2. What is the NDA entrance exam syllabus?

The NDA entrance exam will consist of 2 papers, Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Mathematics covers topics up to the 12th grade, and the GAT contains English and General Knowledge.

Q3. What is the NDA joining process?

 To join the NDA, you must apply online, sit for the written exam, go through the SSB interview, go through the medical and fitness tests, and finally receive your name on the final merit list.

Q4. What is NDA entry age?

The NDA Entry age for the year 2026, candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old at the time of joining, and applicants must be single (unmarried) and male or female.

Q5. What is NDA exam eligibility?

 The eligibility requirements for the NDA exam depend on your age, educational attainment (12th-grade pass or appearing), your citizenship status, and whether or not you meet the NDA’s physical fitness standards.

Q6. Where NDA exam is conducted?

The NDA exam is conducted throughout India by the UPSC, and there will be different centres available to each candidate based on their application preferences and official allocations.

Q7. How many subjects in NDA, and how many attempts in NDA?

There are two subjects in the NDA, Mathematics and GAT, but potential candidates do not have a specific number of attempts allowed at taking the exam, with the only restrictions being the age restrictions and eligibility criteria.

Q7. What is NDA exam for?

The NDA Examination is for students (who have completed Class 12) who want to become military officers in the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, or Indian Navy. The NDA Exam is used to select candidates to undergo training at the National Defence Academy.