Topics Covered:
UPSC NDA Exam Timeline | UPSC NDA Exam Eligibility | UPSC NDA Registration | UPSC NDA 2021 Vacancies | UPSC NDA Exam Pattern | UPSC NDA Exam Syllabus & Marking Scheme | UPSC NDA Exam SSB Interview | How to prepare for NDA Exam
An unmarried male candidate qualifying the eligibility criteria prescribed by the National Defense Academy is allowed to register online for UPSC NDA. The process of NDA Registration is completely online. However, candidates can submit the application fee in the bank with the e-challan that is generated during NDA registration.
Let us look at the timeline and other details related to the Exam of UPSC NDA including the NDA Exam timeline. NDA Registration Process, NDA 2022 Vacancies and more:
The UPSC NDA Exam is held twice a year. The NDA registration for every batch is done separately after the release of notification. The corresponding dates for both NDA Exam 1 and NDA Exam 2 are mentioned below:
Events |
Dates (NDA Exam-1) |
Dates (NDA Exam 2) |
Notification |
22-Dec-2021 |
18-May-2022 |
Application form |
22-Dec-2021 |
18-May-2022 |
Last date to apply |
11-Jan-2022 |
14-June-2022 |
Written exam |
10-April-2022 |
04-Sep-2022 |
Admit card |
Three weeks before the exam |
Three weeks before the exam |
Declaration of written result |
June-2022 |
Dec-2022 |
SSB Interview |
To be announced |
To be announced |
Candidates need to fulfil the following eligibility criteria in order to be eligible for the exam. The NDA Exam is held twice a year. Hence, the dates for age limit are different as mentioned below:
Parameters |
Criteria |
Age |
NDA (I): candidates who are born before 2nd July 2003 and not after 1st July 2006 are eligible. NDA (II): candidates born between 2nd January 2004 and 1st January 2007 are eligible Note: only matriculation certificate or secondary school leaving certificate is accepted as age proof and no other document. |
Nationality |
|
Marital Status and Sex |
|
Educational Qualification |
|
In order to register for the UPSC NDA Exam,
Candidates should go to the official website of UPSC.
Click on the UPSC NDA Application link.
The UPSC NDA application form filling is a 2 step process, candidates are first required to register and then fill the detailed form.
Fill the registration form and click submit. Then, go to the detailed application form.
The application fee of candidates is ₹100/.
You need the following details while filling the NDA Application Form:
Qualification details
Educational certificates
Photo ID proof (any one) - Aadhar card, pan card, photo ID card, driving license, or any other photo ID card which must be issued by central/ state government.
Scanned image of photograph & signature
The details regarding vacancies will be notified in the official notification of the UPSC NDA. A total of 400 vacancies are released in both NDA Exam (I) and NDA Exam (II). The breakup of vacancies is given below:
Academy |
Number of vacancies |
NDA |
370 Army: 208 Navy: 42 Air Force: 120 (including 28 for ground Duties) |
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) |
30 |
Total |
400 |
The UPSC NDA Exam consists of a written examination and an SSB interview process. The exam pattern for the UPSC NDA exam is given below:
Subject |
Marks |
Time Allotted |
Mathematics |
300 Marks |
2 hours 30 minutes |
General Ability Test (English and General Knowledge) |
600 Marks |
2 hours 30 minutes |
SSB Interview |
900 Marks |
- |
Negative Marking of 1/3rd marks for each wrong answer is applicable. Hence, candidates are advised to make only educated guesses.
The syllabus of the Written Examination of UPSC NDA is mentioned below:
Algebra
Matrices and Determinants
Trigonometry
Geometry (2D and 3D)
Differential Calculus
Integral Calculus & Differential Equations
Vector Algebra
Statistics & Probability
English- Grammar, Vocabulary, and Comprehension [200 Marks]
Physics [100 Marks]
Chemistry [60 Marks]
Biology [40 marks]
History & Polity [80 Marks]
Geography [80 Marks]
Current Affairs [40 Marks]
Candidates who qualify for the Written Examination phase appear for SSB Interview Process. This is an intelligence and personality test conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). The candidates who qualify for the Interview Process are finally shortlisted for the training course of NDA after which they are recruited into the defence services.
UPSC NDA Exam is one of the most sought after exams for defence services aspirants. Here are some expert preparation tips to ace the UPSC NDA Exam:
Before starting your preparation for UPSC NDA, it is important to have a crystal clear understanding of all the elements of the exam. Read the official notification to understand the paper pattern and paper syllabus well. Glance through the previous year papers and cutoffs to have a robust understanding of what to expect in the exam.
Once you’ve glanced through the syllabus and previous year papers, chalk out a study plan to complete the entire syllabus carefully. Make sure you include sufficient revision in your study plan. Develop conceptual clarity for each topic mentioned in the syllabus and practice it well using sectional tests.
Revision is the key to cracking any exam! Make sure to revise whatever you’ve studied frequently to enhance conceptual understanding and concept retention.
Mock Tests are the greatest tool for evaluating your performance in UPSC NDA. Hence. write sufficient mock tests are frequent intervals. Do a drill-down analysis to understand your strengths and weaknesses. And work on the weak areas in a phased manner to improve your performance.
Defence services demand physical fitness from the candidates which are necessary to carry out the rigorous work assigned in the services. Hence, follow a healthy lifestyle and an exercise routine to keep yourself physically fit and active.
Career Launcher has several GS focussed courses and NCERT courses that can readily help in NDA Exam preparation. Check out these courses and kickstart your preparation in time to ensure selection in the upcoming NDA Exam.