HomeCompetition ExamsNational Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination

NDA 1 Exam 2025 - Notification (Out), Application (Released), Syllabus, Admit card

Upcoming Event
NDA Exam Date : 13 Apr' 2025 - 13 Apr' 2025
Updated on 11th December, 2024 by Meghana Mohana Krishnan

About NDA 2025

Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC NDA 1 notification 2025 on December 11, 2024 on the official website, upsc.gov.in/upsconline.nic.in. The NDA 1 application form 2025 link has also activated on the same date. Candidates can apply for the NDA 1 2025 exam until December 31, 2024. As per the commission, the UPSC NDA 2025 exam date is on April 13, 2025. Before applying for the NDA 1 exam, candidates need to make sure they meet the eligibility criteria. 

The commission will also provide the UPSC NDA application form correction facility from January 1 to 7, 2025. As per the NDA 2025 eligibility criteria, all 12th-passed candidates between 16.5 to 19.5 years can apply for the examination. General category applicants need to pay the application fee of Rs. 100. However, SC/ST, female candidates and other reserved category candidates are exempted from paying the NDA 2 application fee.

What is the NDA exam?

The NDA exam is conducted twice every year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in April and September. The NDA recruitment exam 2025 is conducted to induct eligible and qualified applicants as officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. All class 12th passed from a recognised board between the age group of 16.5 to 19.5 years can apply for the UPSC NDA exam. Those who have taken the standard 12th exam and are awaiting results are also eligible to appear for the NDA exam 2025. 

The NDA recruitment process as has two stages - a written exam and an SSB interview. The NDA written exam has two papers one of elementary mathematics and the other of general aptitude test (GAT). Both the NDA 2025 papers are conducted in offline mode.

Candidates clearing the written exam will be eligible to appear for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview which is a 5-day process in which applicants are tested on various parameters to confirm their final candidature before the induction. On clearing the NDA 2025 recruitment process applicants then have to undergo intensive training for the defence service they are selected for before they are deputed to their respective services.

What is the full form of NDA?

The NDA exam full form is National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination. However, it is commonly known and referred to as the NDA exam or UPSC NDA exam. The objective of the NDA exam is to recruit eligible and qualified candidates as officers of the defence safety and security of the country.

Candidates preparing for the NDA exam can check the NDA question papers for their effective preparations. The NDA selection process comprises a written exam followed by an SSB interview and a medical examination. UPSC NDA written exam comprises two papers - Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The duration of each test is 2 hours and 30 minutes. The maximum mark allotted to the written exam is 900. Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for an SSB interview.

NDA vacancies 

YearNational Defence Academy (NDA)Indian Naval Academy (NA) (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme)Total
NDA I 2025
37036406
NDA I 202337025395
NDA II 2023------
NDA I 202237030400
NDA II 202137030400
NDA II 202137043413
NDA I 202037048418
NDA II 201937045415
NDA I 201934250392
NDA II 201833944383
NDA I 201836055415
NDA II 201733555390
NDA I 201733555390

UPSC Contact Details
If candidates face any problem with any aspect of the UPSC IAS exam, they can get in touch with the Union Public Service Commission at the following address, phone number and email.

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Dholpur House,
Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 110069

Facilitation Counter: 011-23098543 / 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098591
Email: feedback-upsc@gov.in

Read more

NDA 2025 Highlights

Full Exam Name
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination
Short Exam Name
NDA
Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission
Frequency Of Conduct
Twice a year
Exam Level
Intermediate
Exam Duration
5 Hours
No Of Seats
406

NDA Important Dates

NDA National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (session 2025)

13 Apr' 2025 - 13 Apr' 2025 . Offline
Exam Date
11 Dec' 2024 - 11 Dec' 2024 . Online
Advertisement Date
11 Dec' 2024 - 31 Dec' 2024 . Online
Application Date

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to join NDA after passing 12th?

You have to fill out the NDA application form on the UPSC official website. Refer to this article for detailed inputs - How to join NDA after passing 12th?

2. How to prepare for NDA?

To prepare for NDA candidates need to cover the complete syllabus, refer to the previous year question papers of NDA and solve them on a regular basis, they must also read daily current affairs through newspapers, magazines and get daily does of general awareness.

3. What happens after candidates are shortlisted for NDA 2024 ?

After candidates qualify the UPSC NDA exam, they get into academics to complete their graduation along with the training. Post completing their training, they are recruited as Lieutenant post.

4. Is the NDA exam tough?

Yes, it is a bit tough as the vacancies range between 350-450 and the competition is quite high. However, if candidates prepare for 2024 NDA in a strategize way they can qualify it.

5. What is the NDA salary?

Candidates who will complete the NDA training will get commissioned as Lieutenant and will get a salary from Rs 56,100 to Rs 1,77, 500 Per Month. During the training period, they will get a stipend of Rs. 56,100. Know more about the NDA 2024 salary here.

6. Can girls apply for NDA?

Yes, girls can also apply for the UPSC NDA exam 2024.

7. Who can apply for NDA?

Male candidates who are between 16.5-19.5 years can apply for NDA. These candidates must also clear their 10+2. There are a limited seats for the female candidates.

8. What is the syllabus of UPSC NDA?

NDA has a vast syllabus, for more information click here NDA 2024 Syllabus.

9. What is the difference between CDS and NDA?

Both the exam is for officer level however there are some differences between the two. The eligibility criteria for CDS is different than NDA, in CDS graduates can apply. The salary is NDA is a bit higher than that of a CDS and the syllabus, exam pattern and difficulty level of CDS is that of Graduation level while the NDA is on 10+2 level.

10. What are the subjects in the NDA 2024 exam?

There are two subjects in the NDA exam 2024 - General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics.

11. What is the eligibility criteria of NDA?

The age limit for candidates who are applying for NDA must be 16.5-19.5 years while the academic qualification must be 10+2 qualified/appearing. However, candidates will have to showcase their qualified result if they get selected for NDA.

12. How many stages are there in NDA exam?

There are two stages in the NDA exam, one is the written test while the other is the SSB (Services Selection Board)

13. What is the full form of NDA?

NDA stands for National Defence Academy.

14. What is the NDA exam?

NDA is an exam conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) twice a year. This exam is conducted to recruit (10+2 qualified) candidates for officer posts in NDA/NA.

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Upcoming Exams

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Exam Date

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Questions related to NDA

Have a question related to NDA ?

Hello Aspirant , Hope your doing great . As per your query  , To be eligible for the NDA (National Defence Academy) 2026 April exam, you need to have been born between 2nd July 2007 and 1st January 2011 . Since you were born on 1st March 2007, you are eligible to appear for the NDA exam in April 2026

Correct Answer: 56 - 70


Solution : Let's check the options —

First option: 35 - 66; 66 – 35 = 31. 31 is odd.

Second option: 71 - 94; 94 – 71 = 23. 23 is odd.

Third option: 24 - 57; 57 – 24 = 33. 33 is odd.

Fourth option: 56 - 70; 70 – 56 = 14. 14 is even. This option is different from the other options.

Hence, fourth option is correct.

Hello aspirant,

In order to sit for the NDA exam, a candidate must be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 and have completed maths and physics as required topics in their 10+2 education. The exam can be taken as many times as necessary.

For more information you can visit our website by clicking on the link given below.

https://competition.careers360.com/articles/nda-eligibility-criteria/amp

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.

Hello aspirant,

In order to be qualified for the nda -1,2026 exam, you must have been born between July 2, 2009, and July 1, 2012. So you are not eligible for NDA exam.

For more information you can visit our site by clicking on the link given below.

https://competition.careers360.com/exams/nda

Thank you

Hope this information helps you.

Hello aspirant,

No, you are not eligible for NDA exam as to be eligible for NDA, a candidate must have to fulfill the following eligibility criteria.

Candidates for NDA 2 - 2024 must have been born on January 1, 2009, or no earlier than January 2, 2006.

Candidates for NDA 1 through 2024 must have been born between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008.

Thank you

Hope it helps you.

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