National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam (I) 2020

Ranjan K Baruah *

All those who dream to serve the nation as an officer in any defence wing of Indian Defence Forces then they may choose to appear in National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination and join NDA. Students must learn that NDA is not the only option to join forces as an officer.

There are other exams and ways to join defence forces as an officer but NDA is the first step as this can be appeared at senior secondary level.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) shall conduct an exam on 19th April, 2020 for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA for the 145th Course, and for the 107th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from 2nd January, 2021.

The approximate number of vacancies to be filled on the results of this examination will be as under :—
National Defence Academy : 370 to include 208 for Army, 42 for Navy and 120 for Air Force (including 28 for ground Duties) and
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) : 48 (Total : 418) .

Admission to NDA will be made on the results of the written examination to be conducted by UPSC followed by intelligence and personality test by the Services Selection Board of candidates who qualify in the written examination.

This is the only exam which is only for unmarried male candidates. Many girls ask me about joining NDA but so far it is only for males.

In future girls might be getting chance to NDA or similar institutes. Unmarried male candidates born not earlier than 02nd July, 2001 and not later than 1st July, 2004 are eligible for the exam.

Educational Qualifications: o For Army Wing of National Defence Academy:—XII Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
o For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian 6 Naval Academy :—XII Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics conducted by a State Education Board or a University.

The exam fee is 100 Rupees but ST/SC candidates are not supposed to pay any fee for the examination.

Candidates are required to apply Online by using the website upsconline.nic.in and detailed instructions for filling in online applications are available on the website.

The Online Applications can be filled in latest by 28th January, 2020 till 6:00 PM.

The entrance consists of two papers which includes mathematics and general ability test. Both papers are of two hours and thirty minutes. Total number for mathematics is 300 and general ability test is 600. The total for the SSB interview is 900 marks.

The syllabus of mathematics includes – algebra, matrices and determinants, trigonometry, analytical geometry of two and three dimensions, differential calculus, integral calculus and differential equations, vector algebra, statistics and probability, etc.

General Ability Test contains English which carries maximum 200 marks. 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. General Knowledge is a part of General Ability Test and it carries maximum 400 marks.

The question paper on General Knowledge covers the subjects: Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography and Current Events.

There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. There is negative marking for wrong answers however there is no negative mark if any question is not answered.

Aspirants may visit the website of UPSC or read the advertisements being published at Employment News for further details.