The UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) will be conducting the UPSC NDA 2023 Exam to recruit candidates who wish to serve the nation. Candidates who are interested to crack this exam must hold the overall information of the selection process. The UPSC NDA 2023 Selection Process is divided into four major stages.
Stage I – Written test
Stage II- SSB Interview
Stage III- Medical Examination
Stage IV- Final Merit List
Each phase of the UPSC NDA 2023 Selection Process is mandatory to clear, in order to receive the final appointment letter. Candidates can check the details of each phase of the selection process discussed in the article below.
NDA 2023 Written Test
As per the UPSC NDA 2023 Exam Pattern, this stage will assess the mental ability of the candidates through the written test. This test will consist of two sections, Mathematics and General Ability Test. The exam will be conducted offline in various exam centres. Candidates will have to score minimum qualifying marks in this stage to move forward into the next stage. To clear this stage, candidates are advised to cover all the relevant topics as per the UPSC NDA 2023 Syllabus.
| Papers | Subjects | Total marks | Exam Duration | Marking Scheme |
| Paper I | Mathematics | 300 | 2 hours 30 minutes | Correct Answer: 2.5 marks Wrong Answer: 1/3 of marks will be deducted. |
| Paper II | General Ability Test | 600 | 2 hours 30 minutes | Correct Answer: 4 marks Wrong Answer: 1/3 of marks will be deducted. |
NDA 2023 SSB Interview
This is the second stage of the selection process and is the most crucial stage, where the recruiters will assess the candidate’s overall personality and psychology. The NDA SSB interview is a 5-day process as discussed in the table below.
| Days | Events |
| Day 1 | Screening Test This test will assess the abilities required to be an NDA officer. |
| Day 2 | Psychological Test The recruiters will assess the candidate’s psychology through TAT (Thematic Appreciation Test), WAT (Word Association Test), SRT (Situation Reaction Test), and SD (Self-Description Test). |
| Day 3 | Group Testing Officers’ Tasks This session will evaluate the candidate’s personality based on various tasks such as leadership tasks, teamwork tasks, group tasks, and obstacle tasks. |
| Day 4 | Interview On this day candidates will appear for the personal interview round. |
| Day 5 | Conference Round |
NDA 2023 Medical Examination
The candidates who will clear the SSB Interview rounds will undergo a medical examination conducted by the Special Medical Board. This medical examination is conducted in the Military Hospital by Medical Officers.
- Candidates will go through a medical examination test.
- The candidates who will be found medically fit will be shortlisted.
- The female candidates will have to go through gynaecological, obstetric, and menstrual examinations.
NDA 2023 Final Merit List
This is the final stage of the UPSC NDA selection process, where, the candidates with exceptional performance and excellent scores will be shortlisted. The final merit list is formed by adding the overall scores acquired by the candidates in each stage of the selection process.
NDA 2023 Selection Process FAQs
The full form of NDA is National Defence Academy.
Yes, shortlisted candidates will go through a medical examination.
There are two sections in the UPSC NDA 2023 written test, Mathematics and General Ability Test.
Yes, the candidates who clear the UPSC NDA written test, are shortlisted for the SSB Interview.
Candidates will have to score 600-700 marks for being shortlisted. Candidates are advised to score maximum marks in each phase of the selection process.
What is the selection procedure for NDAs?
There are two steps to the NDA selection process: the written exam and the SSB interview. The SSB Interview is for those who passed the written exam. An IQ and personality test are included in the interview.
What is the NDA training procedure?
The National Defense Academy (NDA) is a joint training facility for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Cadets spend three years in training after joining the NDA. Candidates are assigned to their various training schools for a year of training after graduating from NDA before being commissioned. Students are sent to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, and the Air Force Academy for their respective branches of the armed forces (Dundigal, Hyderabad).
Does the NDA exam have a minimum passing score?
The required percentage for the NDA exam is between 20 and 25 percent for each subject. Also, in order to pass the written exam, students must get the qualifying marks as well as the NDA cut off.
What is the NDA salary?
The NDA’s training salary is 56,100 INR. The first Cell of Level 10 will set the Officer Commissioned NDA remuneration following a successful training. For the position of Lieutenant, candidates apply.
Is there a minimum age requirement to apply for NDA?
The age requirement to take the NDA exam is true. Applicants must be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5. Male and female applicants for the NDA 1 exam must have been born between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2007, inclusive. Both male and female applicants for the NDA 2 exam must have been born between January 1, 2007, and January 2, 2004, respectively.