NDA / NA
NDA (National Defence Academy) and NA (Naval Academy) exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year. It is the premier entry to become a commissioned officer in all three services — Army, Navy, Air Force.
Age Limit
16.5 – 19.5 years
Qualification
12th appearing / passed (Maths required for Navy/Air Force wings)
Stages
4 Selection Rounds
TNR Batch
Admissions Open
Selection Process & Stages
NDA Written Exam (UPSC)
Maths paper (300 marks) + General Ability Test (600 marks).
SSB Interview
5-day Service Selection Board testing Officer Like Qualities (OLQ).
Medical Examination
Held at Military Hospitals. Very comprehensive.
Merit List
Combined Maths + GAT + SSB score. Qualified in medical.
Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Standards
| Test / Activity | Male Candidates | Female Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Height (Army) | 157 cm minimum | N/A |
| Weight | Proportional to height and age | N/A |
| Physical at NDA | Multiple tests at academy after joining | N/A |
Written Examination
Maths (Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics) — 300 marks. GAT (English, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, GK) — 600 marks. Each paper is 2.5 hours.
Medical Standards
Strictest among all entries. Vision, colour vision, hearing, orthopaedic, dental, ENT, full blood panel.
How TNR Sainik Academy Prepares You
Recommended Preparation Strategy
Prepare from class 11 itself
Master Maths — it is the differentiator
Read a quality English newspaper daily
Work on personality, confidence and communication for SSB
Physical fitness should be excellent — not just minimum
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can apply if you are appearing in class 12 or have already passed. The exam is conducted twice a year (April and September).
Service Selection Board is a 5-day assessment at one of the SSB centres. It tests your intelligence, personality, and officer-like qualities through psychological tests, group tasks, personal interview, and conference.
You can attempt NDA as long as you are within the age limit (max 19.5 years). Practically this means 2-3 attempts.