NDA\CDS
Introducton of NDA\CDS
The NDA exam is conducted twice a year to select candidates for the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force. After selection, candidates undergo rigorous training at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla (Pune), where they receive joint training before moving to their respective service academies.
The CDS exam is also conducted twice a year to recruit graduates into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers Training Academy (OTA). This exam is intended for candidates who have completed their undergraduate studies and wish to serve as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.
Eligibility Criteria of NDA [ National Defence Service]
NDA Eligibility Criteria
<trstyle=”background-color: #fff2cc; “>Nationality– Indian citizen
– Subject of Nepal
– PIO from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka & specified countries
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 16.5 to 19.5 years (Unmarried candidates only) |
| Educational Qualification | Army Wing: 10+2 (Any Stream) Navy & Air Force Wings: 10+2 with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Math) |
| Gender | Male & Female |
| Marital Status | Unmarried only |
| Physical Standards | Height: Army – 157 cm, Navy – 157 cm, Air Force – 162.5 cm Vision: 6/6 in one eye, 6/9 in other |
| Number of Attempts | No attempt limit within age criteria |
NDA Exam Pattern
| Subject | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 2.5 Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 2.5 Hours | 600 |
| Total | 5 Hours | 900 |
NDA Syllabus
| Subjects | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | Algebra, Trigonometry, Matrices & Determinants, Calculus, Vector Algebra, Statistics, Probability |
| English (GAT) | Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Sentence Structure |
| Physics (GAT) | Laws of Motion, Optics, Electricity, Magnetism, Sound |
| Chemistry (GAT) | Elements & Compounds, Acids & Bases, Physical & Chemical Changes, Organic Chemistry |
| General Science (GAT) | Human Body, Nutrition, Diseases, Environment |
| History & Civics (GAT) | Indian Independence, Constitution, Governance, Ancient & Modern History |
| Geography (GAT) | Earth’s Structure, Climate, Natural Resources, Population |
| Current Affairs (GAT) | National & International Events |
NDA Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Written Examination | Mathematics + General Ability Test (GAT) |
| SSB Interview | Psychological tests, Group Discussion, Personal Interview |
| Medical Examination | Physical and Medical Fitness Tests |
| Final Merit List | Based on written exam and SSB performance |
CDS Eligibility Criteria Overview:
| Criteria | Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Indian Naval Academy (INA) | Air Force Academy (AFA) | Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or PIO from certain countries intending to settle in India permanently | |||
| Age Limit | 19 to 24 years | 19 to 24 years | 19 to 24 years | 19 to 25 years |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university | B.E/B.Tech (Engineering) degree | B.Sc (Physics & Math) or B.E/B.Tech | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university |
| Marital Status | Unmarried | Unmarried | Unmarried | Unmarried (Women can apply) |
| Gender | Male | Male | Male | Male & Female |
| Physical Standards | Must meet the prescribed physical fitness standards set by the respective academies |
2. Age Limit & Marital Status:
| Academy | Age Limit | Marital Status |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | 19 to 24 years | Unmarried Male |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | 19 to 24 years | Unmarried Male |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | 19 to 24 years | Unmarried Male |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | 19 to 25 years | Unmarried Male & Female |
3. Educational Qualification:
| Academy | Educational Qualification Required |
|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | B.E/B.Tech degree in Engineering from a recognized university |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | B.Sc with Physics & Mathematics or B.E/B.Tech degree |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university |
CDS Exam Pattern
| Academy | Subjects | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Military Academy (IMA) | English, General Knowledge, Mathematics | 2 hours each | 300 |
| Indian Naval Academy (INA) | English, General Knowledge, Mathematics | 2 hours each | 300 |
| Air Force Academy (AFA) | English, General Knowledge, Mathematics | 2 hours each | 300 |
| Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) | English, General Knowledge | 2 hours each | 200 |
CDS Syllabus Breakdown
1. English (Common for All Academies)
| Topics Covered | Focus Areas |
|---|---|
| Spotting Errors | Grammar and sentence structure |
| Synonyms & Antonyms | Vocabulary enhancement |
| Sentence Improvement | Correct usage of words |
| Reading Comprehension | Passage-based questions |
| Cloze Test | Fill in the blanks with appropriate words |
| Para Jumbles | Logical arrangement of sentences |
2. General Knowledge (Common for All Academies)
| Subjects | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Current Affairs | National & International Events, Defense, Sports |
| History | Indian Independence Movement, Ancient & Modern India |
| Geography | Physical Geography, Climate, Natural Resources |
| Polity | Indian Constitution, Governance, Rights & Duties |
| Economy | Indian Economy, Budget, Five-Year Plans |
| General Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology (Basic Concepts) |
3. Elementary Mathematics (For IMA, INA & AFA Only)
| Topics | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Number System, LCM & HCF, Percentages, Profit & Loss |
| Algebra | Linear & Quadratic Equations, Polynomials, Progressions |
| Geometry | Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Theorems |
| Mensuration | Areas & Volumes of 2D and 3D figures |
| Trigonometry | Height & Distance, Trigonometric Ratios & Identities |
| Statistics | Mean, Median, Mode, Probability |
SSB Interview Process (After Written Exam)
| Stage | Tests Conducted |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR), Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT) |
| Stage 2 | Psychological Tests, Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO), Personal Interview, Conference |
 How to Apply for NDA and CDS Exams
The application process for both NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services) exams is conducted online through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) official website: www.upsc.gov.in. Below are the step-by-step guidelines for applying to these exams.
How to Apply for NDA Exam
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to the official UPSC website: https://www.upsc.gov.in
Step 2: Click on “Apply Online”
- Navigate to the “Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC” section.
- Click on the “NDA & NA Examination” link.
Step 3: Registration Process (Part 1 & Part 2)
The NDA application process consists of two parts:
Part 1: Registration
- Enter personal details (Name, DOB, Email ID, Mobile Number, etc.).
- Select the preferred branch (Army, Navy, Air Force).
- Choose your exam center.
- Review and submit the form.
Part 2: Fee Payment and Uploading Documents
- Pay the application fee:
- General/OBC: ₹100
- SC/ST/Women: Exempted
- Upload scanned copies of:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN, etc.)
Step 4: Final Submission
- Carefully check all details.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
How to Apply for CDS Exam
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to the official UPSC website: https://www.upsc.gov.in
Step 2: Click on “Apply Online”
- Navigate to the “Online Application for Various Examinations of UPSC” section.
- Click on the “CDS Examination” link.
Step 3: Registration Process (Part 1 & Part 2)
The CDS application process consists of two parts:
Part 1: Registration
- Enter personal details (Name, DOB, Email ID, Mobile Number, etc.).
- Choose the preferred academy (IMA, INA, AFA, OTA).
- Select the desired exam center.
- Review and submit the form.
Part 2: Fee Payment and Uploading Documents
- Pay the application fee:
- General/OBC: ₹200
- SC/ST/Female: Exempted
- Upload scanned copies of:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN, etc.)
Step 4: Final Submission
- Double-check all details before final submission.
- Submit the form and download a copy for reference.
Important Documents Required for NDA/CDS Application
- Valid email ID and mobile number
- Scanned copy of passport-size photo and signature
- Class 10 & 12 mark sheets for NDA; Graduation/Bachelor’s degree for CDS
- Government-issued ID (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.)
- Application fee payment details (Debit/Credit card, UPI, etc.)
Key Points to Remember
- Ensure eligibility criteria are met before applying.
- Apply before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
- Keep a copy of the application form and fee receipt for future reference.
- Follow UPSC guidelines for document upload (size and format).
Important points
The NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services) exams are conducted by UPSC for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces. NDA is for students who have completed their 12th, with an age limit of 16.5 to 19.5 years, and allows entry into the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The selection process includes a written exam, SSB interview, and medical test. CDS, on the other hand, is for graduates with an age limit of 19 to 25 years, offering entry into IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. CDS also involves a written exam followed by an SSB interview and medical test. NDA provides an early start to a military career, while CDS is for candidates who have completed their graduation.
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