It is important to understand that the armed forces provide multiple options for becoming an officer after the 12th.
Many students are aware of the NDA exam as a pathway to join the defence services after the 12th grade. However, beyond the NDA, there are various other career options available for defence aspirants. The 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES) by the Indian Army and the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme by the Indian Navy are two such golden career opportunities for becoming an armed forces officer post-12th. Let us discuss these two options in detail to understand how they can help you achieve your goal of joining the armed forces after the 12th.
10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES)
If we talk about the 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES), this entry provides an opportunity to join the Indian Army for technical roles in the officer cadre. This is a direct entry to join the Indian Army as an officer, as there is no written exam. The call letter for the SSB interview is issued directly to eligible candidates. Only unmarried male candidates who have passed the 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with a minimum aggregate of 60% can apply under the Technical Entry Scheme. In addition to this, aspiring candidates must also have appeared in the JEE (Mains) exam.
10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme
Now, coming to the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme, this entry prepares you for an officer cadre role in the Indian Navy. Selected candidates pursue a four-year B.Tech degree course at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala in Kerala. Candidates applying for this entry must have passed the 10+2 exam with at least 70% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) and at least 50% marks in English. Currently, only males can apply for TES entry, but in the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme by the Indian Navy, both unmarried male and female candidates can apply. Like TES, it is necessary to have appeared in the JEE (Mains) exam for this entry too, as the call letter for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview is issued based on the All India Common Rank List (CRL) in the JEE (Main) exam.
Q: Who can apply for an NDA exam?
NDA application form is released to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy. Both male and female candidates can apply for the NDA exam. The eligibility criteria for the NDA exam is given below:
Age Limit: For NDA 1 exam, both male and female candidates must have been born not earlier than July 2, 2005 and not later than July 1, 2008. For NDA 2 exam, both male and female candidates must have been born not earlier than January 2, 2005, and not later than January 1, 2008.
Educational Qualification:
| Academy | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Army Wing of National Defence Academy | Passed Class 12/HSC or equivalent from a recognised board or university |
| Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy of National Defence Academy | Passed Class 12/HSC with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
Q: Is there any minimum qualifying marks in NDA exam?
Q: How many students apply for NDA exam and qualify it?
6 SSB attempts in a year
Since the NDA exam is conducted twice a year, you have two opportunities annually to appear before the Services Selection Board for the SSB Interview. One can’t join the armed forces as an officer unless he or she gets a recommendation from the SSB. Now, why might a student preparing for the JEE also consider the armed forces? Because they have more opportunities through the 10+2 TES and 10+2 (B.Tech) entries. The notifications for these two entries are also released twice a year. So, you will have two SSB attempts under the NDA entry, two SSB attempts under the 10+2 TES, and two SSB attempts under the 10+2 (B.Tech) entry. Overall, you can get up to six SSB attempts in a year.
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I have a student who qualified for the NDA written exam but was conferenced out in SSB. After that, he went for the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme and got selected through this entry. It is important to understand that the armed forces provide multiple options for becoming an officer after the 12th.
Blend of academic plus personality profile
Let me share some data: around 20 lakh students take the JEE exam, while six lakh take the NDA exam. Many students are unaware of the NDA and only know about JEE and NEET. Students with a biology background often hesitate to consider the NDA, but I have seen many from a bio background qualify for the NDA if they prepare well. Those students who think that NEET is their only option should understand that the requirements of the Armed Forces are different. Here, it's not just about academics; we do not need you to be a topper in Physics, Maths, or Biology. The requirements include both your academic profile and personality profile. The Indian Armed Forces seek those individuals who are physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically balanced.
Q: How many times can a candidate appear for the NDA exam, and what is the minimum qualifying marks required to pass?
NDA exam is conducted twice a year by UPSC. Candidates can appear for both the sessions of NDA exam. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in January. NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in July. To qualify each section of the NDA exam, candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject. NDA exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Fotce wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy.
Q: What is the criteria to give NDA exam?
Q: How to select NDA exam centre?
Q: What are the passing marks in NDA?
Q: Can I apply for NDA exam while studying in class 11?
No, you cannot apply for NDA exam while studying in Class 11. According to the eligibility criteria, candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 are only eligible to apply NDA exam. The educational qualification prescribed for the Army wing of NDA is that candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 or equivalent exam from a recognised board can apply for the exam. The educational qualification prescribed for Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet entry scheme at INA is that candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics can apply for the exam.
By-- Shishir Dixit, an Air Force veteran, Founder-Director and Chief SSB Mentor at Centurion Defence Academy
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
To join the National Defence Academy (NDA) and undergo its rigorous training, candidates must meet specific physical and medical standards. Here's an overview of the key requirements:
Physical Standards:
Height and Weight:
- Male Candidates: Minimum height of 157 cm.
- Female Candidates: Minimum height of 1
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
As per the official notification for NDA 1 2025, the age limit is as follows:
- Date of Birth: Candidates must be born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
Currently, there is no indication of any changes to this age limit. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has not announced any modificati
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
The application fee for the NDA 2025 exam is as follows:
- General/OBC Candidates: ?100
- SC/ST Candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs/Women: Exempt from fee payment
The application process for NDA 1 2025 has concluded, with the last date for submission being December 31, 2024. The examination is scheduled for
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
Hi Ayush,
For NDA 2025, the age eligibility criteria are as follows:
NDA 1 2025: Candidates must be born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
NDA 2 2025: Candidates must be born between January 2, 2007, and January 1, 2010.
Since your birthdate is February 24, 2006, you are eligible to apply f
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
Hi Chandankumar,
NDA 2 refers to the second session of the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam held each year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The exam is conducted in two sessions:
- NDA 1 (usually in April)
- NDA 2 (usually in September)
Both exams serve as a gateway for candidates to join
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 6 days ago
NDA Application Form 2025
Last Date to Apply: December 31, 2024.
Exam Date: April 13, 2025.
Application Fee: INR 100 (exemptions apply).
Apply at: upsc.gov.in
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
NDA syllabus PDF is provided on this page. The syllabus PDF comprises the important topics related to the exam. Candidates can download the syllabus PDF and start preparing for the exam. With good practice, candidates can ace the exam.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
NDA 1 application form 2025 correction window will be available from January 1 to 7, 2025. The Commission has also decided to extend the facility of making correction in any field of the application form for this examination from next day of the closure of the application window of this Examination
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
YES, Humanities student can definately clear the NDA exam. If one wants to clear NDA in first attempt being a humanities student then they had to work really hard as competitors are mainly from Science stream. One must purchase the recommended books of those students who had already passed the NDA
I
Beginner-Level 5
Answered 2 weeks ago
UPSC has no provision to refund any fee amount paid by candidates. Banks concerned may be approached for claiming any extra/unsuccessful payments made by the candidates.
M
Beginner-Level 4
health for nda trining