Is it hard to Qualify “National Defence Academy” NDA Exam Qualifying for the National Defence Academy (NDA) can be challenging, as it is a highly competitive examination that requires a high level of physical and mental fitness. The exam consists of two stages: a written exam followed by an SSB interview, and candidates must pass both stages to be selected for admission to the academy. The written exam consists of objective type questions on Mathematics, General Ability Test, and English Language. The questions are based on a high school level, but the competition is tough, and candidates need to score