National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA Exam)
Standard Difficulty Rating: Lvl 7
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The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA Exam), conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is the primary gateway for aspiring candidates to join the officer cadre of the Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Navy, and subsequently pursue a career as a pilot. Eligibility requires candidates to be unmarried males between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age. For the Naval and Air Force wings (which include pilot roles), candidates must have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The exam comprises two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and a General Ability Test (GAT) (600 marks), each 2.5 hours long. GAT covers English, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Events. Successful candidates proceed to a rigorous 5-day Service Selection Board (SSB) interview (900 marks). Approximately 400 seats are filled per intake across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with specific allocations for the Naval Academy. The official website for information and application is upsc.gov.in.
