NDA & NA Examination Paper-2- General Ability Test The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination is a premier entrance test for those aspiring to join the officer cadre of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) right after completing their higher secondary education. This highly competitive examination is conduc...(Read More)
The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination is a premier entrance test for those aspiring to join the officer cadre of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force) right after completing their higher secondary education.
This highly competitive examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).The eligibility criteria are strict, focusing on age, marital status, and educational background. Candidates must typically be between 16.5 to 19.5 years of age at the time the course commences. The exact dates are specified in the official notification. Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
Must be a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from certain specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
| Subject | Qns. | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part 'A'- English | 50 | 200 |
| Part 'B'- General Awareness | 100 | 400 |
| Total | 150 | 600 |
Educational Qualifications for NDA and NA:
(A) For Army Wing of National Defence Academy:
• 12th Class pass in the 10+2 school education pattern, or equivalent examination administered by a State Education Board or a University.
(B) For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy:
• 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from the 10+2 school education pattern or equivalent from a State Education Board or a University
Age Limit for NDA and NA:
Only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than 01st Jul 2007 and not later than 01st July 2010 are eligible.
Age Relaxation Extra as per NDA I Exam 2025 Rules.
• Candidates who have been prohibited from holding any form of commission in the Defence Services by the Ministry of Defence will be ineligible to take the exam.
Physical Standard for NDA and NA:
• Aspirants for admission to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination must be physically fit according to physical standards.
• Aspirants are also advised to correct a few minor flaws/ailments such as Wax (ears), Deviated Nasal Septum, Hydrocele/Phimosis, Overweight/Underweight, Undersized Chest, Piles, Tonsillitis, and Varicocele.
• UPSC has set the different physical, visual, and medical standards for males and females for different posts of CDS, so candidates can check the information of physical standards through the official Website link on our website or whether they can check directly from the official Website of UPSC.
Schemes of the NDA and NA Selection Procedure:
The recruitment process will be held in the following phases.
• Written Exam
• SSB Test/ Interview
• Medical Examination/ Physical Standard
NDA and NA: Written Exam
|
Subject |
Code |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
Total number of Questions |
Total Marks |
|
General Ability Test |
02 |
2½ Hours |
600 |
150 |
600 |
Important Note:
• The examination will take place offline.
• All the questions in the written examination will be of Multiple Choice (MCQs) type.
• In the General ability test, it will carry 04 marks each.
• Each incorrect answer will be 1/3rd marks deduction.
• The Examination test will be conducted in both English and Hindi (`Bilingual).
NDA and NA: Intelligence and Personality Test
The total marks given for the SSB Test/ Interview is 900.
The SSB procedure is divided into two stages:
• Stage-I and Stage-II.
*Only those candidates who pass stage-I are eligible to take stage-II.*
• Stage-I: Officers Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test are Picture Perception * Description Test (PP & DT)
• Stage-II: The second stage consists of an interview, Group Testings Officers Task (GTO), psychological tests, and the conference.
The following are the likely positions that will be filled up through this Exam:
|
Post Name |
Wing Name |
Total Post |
|||
|
National Defence Academy NDA (Male / Female) |
Army |
208 |
|||
|
Navy |
42 |
||||
|
Airforce |
120 |
||||
|
Naval Academy NA Only for Male |
10+2 Cadet Entry |
36 |
|||
Syllabus for NDA and NA: Written Examinations
|
General Ability Test (Paper-2 or Code-2) |
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|
Parts |
Chapter |
Syllabus |
|
|
Part A (200 Marks) |
ENGLISH |
The question paper in English will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English and workman like use of words. The syllabus covers various aspects like : Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion in extended text to test the candidate’s proficiency in English. |
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Part B (100 Marks out of 400 Marks) |
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (GK) |
Section ‘A’ of GK (Physics) |
Physical Properties and States of Matter, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density and Specific Gravity, Principle of Archimedes, Pressure Barometer. |
|
Motion of objects, Velocity and Acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force and Momentum, Parallelogram of Forces, Stability and Equilibrium of bodies, Gravitation, elementary ideas of work, Power and Energy. Effects of Heat, Measurement of Temperature and Heat, change of State and Latent Heat, Modes of transference of Heat. Sound waves and their properties, Simple musical instruments. Rectilinear propagation of Light, Reflection and refraction. Spherical mirrors and Lenses, Human Eye. |
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Natural and Artificial Magnets, Properties of a Magnet, Earth as a Magnet. |
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Static and Current Electricity, conductors and Non-conductors, Ohm’s Law, Simple Electrical Circuits, Heating, Lighting and Magnetic effects of Current, Measurement of Electrical Power, Primary and Secondary Cells, Use of X-Rays. |
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General Principles in the working of the following: Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightening Conductors, Safety Fuses |
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Part B (60 Marks out of 400 Marks) |
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (GK) |
Section ‘B’ (Chemistry) |
Physical and Chemical changes. Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Symbols, Formulae and simple Chemical Equations, Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems). Properties of Air and Water. |
|
Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbondioxide, Oxidation and Reduction. Acids, bases and salts. Carbon - different forms. Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial. Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches and Gun-Powder. Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom, Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Valency. |
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Part B (40 Marks out of 400 Marks) |
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (GK) |
Section ‘C’ (General Science) |
Difference between the living and non-living. Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms and Tissues. Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals. |
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Elementary knowledge of Human Body and its important organs. Common Epidemics, their causes and prevention. |
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Food—Source of Energy for man. Constituents of food, Balanced Diet. The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists. |
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Part B (80 Marks out of 400 Marks) |
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (GK) |
Section ‘D’ (History, Freedom Movement etc.) |
A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation. Freedom Movement in India. Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration. Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India. Panchayati Raj, Co-operatives and Community Development. Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State, Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. |
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Forces shaping the modern world; Renaissance, Exploration and Discovery; War of American Independence. French Revolution, Industrial Revolution and Russian Revolution. Impact of Science and Technology on Society. Concept of one World, United Nations, Panchsheel, Democracy, Socialism and Communism. Role of India in the present world. |
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Part B (80 Marks out of 400 Marks) |
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (GK) |
Section ‘E’ (Geography) |
The Earth, its shape and size. Lattitudes and Longitudes, Concept of time. International Date Line. Movements of Earth and their effects. Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification; Weathering-Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes. Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition; Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones and Anti-cyclones; Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation; Types of Climate, Major Natural regions of the World. Regional Geography of India—Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources; location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities. Important Sea ports and main sea, land and air routes of India. Main items of Imports and Exports of India. |
|
Part B (40 Marks out of 400 Marks) |
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (GK) |
Section ‘F’ (Current Events) |
Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in the recent years. Current important world events. Prominent personalities—both Indian and International including those connected with cultural activities and sports. |
Important Note:
• Out of maximum marks assigned to part ‘B’ of this paper, questions on Sections ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ will carry approximately 25%, 15%, 10%, 20%, 20%, and 10% weightage respectively
Fee Payable by Candidates for NDA and NA Exam:
Candidates, except SC/ST candidates, female candidates, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs mentioned in Note 2, must pay an examination fee of ₹100 (Rupees one hundred only).
The fee should be paid using Visa, MasterCard, RuPay Credit/Debit Card, UPI, or internet banking from any bank.
1: Only the specified payment methods are valid. Fee payments made through any other means will not be accepted.
Applications without the prescribed fee or valid exemption will be rejected outright.
2: The examination fee, once paid, is non-refundable under any circumstances and cannot be reserved for future exams or selections.
NOTE-1 : Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and those specified in Note 2 below are not required to pay any fee. No fee exemption is, however, available to OBC candidates and they are required to pay the full prescribed fee.
NOTE-2 : The Wards of serving/ex-Junior Commissioned Officers/Non-Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks of Army and equivalent ranks in the Indian Navy/Indian Air Force are also not required to pay the prescribed fee if they are studying in Military School (formerly known as King George's School)/Sainik School run by Sainik Schools.
For further information on how to fill out the online application form, see the instructions below.
1. Online Registration (OTR)
Register on UPSC Portal: Go to the UPSC online application website.
Complete OTR: Fill in your basic details (as per Class 10 certificate) once to get a Universal Registration Number (URN). This is a one-time process for all UPSC exams.
2. Examination Application
Log In: Use your URN to log in and find the link for the NDA & NA Examination notification (e.g., NDA I 2026).
Fill Form Part I: Enter your detailed personal and educational qualifications. Select your service preferences (Army, Navy, Air Force, Naval Academy).
3. Fee and Uploads
Pay Fee: Pay the application fee online (₹100 for General/OBC male candidates; SC/ST/Female candidates are exempted).
Upload Documents: Upload your scanned photograph, signature, and Photo ID proof.
4. Final Submission
Select Centre: Choose your preferred examination city.
Review and Submit: Carefully review all details on the final form. Once satisfied, agree to the declaration and submit.
Print Confirmation: Download and print a copy of the final submitted application form for your records.
Take the daily Quiz available subject wise and topic wise and revise for the upcoming exam
This exam is part of a combo package. You will get access of below exams in single purchase.
NDA & NA Examination Paper-1 (Mathematics)
NDA & NA Examination Paper-2 (General Ability Test)
