Greetings !!

To join National Defence Academy (NDA) candidates need to appear for the national level competitive exam which is conducted by UPSC. NDA is conducted twice a year where candidates appearing or passed class 12 can appear for the exam. The age limit of the candidates must be 16.5 to 19.5 years of age. The selection of the candidates is done on the basis of written exam and SSB Interview. The written exam comprises of  Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The duration of each test will be 2 hours and 30 minutes. The Mathematics paper will carry total 120 questions while GAT paper will have 150 questions. Maximum marks allotted to the written exam is 900.

Cadets who get selected after NDA exam and SSB interview, a merit list is prepared for all three departments Army, Navy, Air force. The cadets gets training in the academy for 3 years. After that they are sent for 1 year training to concerned Academy for army in IMA, for Navy in INA, For Air force in AFA. After 1 year training in their concerned academy they get commissioned as officers. So total period is 3 yrs NDA and 1 year at concerned Academy. NDA do not recuit directly to any force, it gives training to the cadets and mould them into officers. Nothing like Higher post and all. The cadets get commissioned after 4 years, they will get promotion as per the procedures and also they have to undergo various steps for promotion. You no higher post as such, till your retirement which post you can achieve is highest. Seniority is also a criteria.

if any doubts, pls feel free to ask !

Thank You !!