First of all I’d like to explain you about getting into NDA. National Defence Academy has only one way of admission. There are four stages to get into NDA: Written Exam, SSB, Medical Tests, Merit Lists.

Written Exam: UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) conducts an all India written test based on MCQs marked on OMR, twice a year. It’s called the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination. Its based on 10+2 CBSE pattern (Paper 1: Mathematics & Paper 2: General Ability). If you qualify the written, you’re called up for SSB. You put your order of choice of service in this stage.

SSB: SSB or Service Selection Board is a two staged testing procedure spanning 5 days, where a series of psychological tests are conducted to check your suitability for the Armed Forces. They are based on 15 OLQs. If you’re recommended, you move a step further.

Medical Tests: These are a series of medical tests which follow “after recommendation” from SSB. The tests include complete anatomical testings (interior and exterior). If you’re declared fit you wait for the All India merit list.

Merit List: Merit List is usually declared 1–1 1/2 months prior to the joining date. If your name is there within the given laid down criteria of vacancy, you’ll be sent a Joining Letter, following which you get admitted to the NDA.

Following this you spend 3 years in the Academy, obtaining a BSc/BA degree and Basic Military Training. After the completion of 3 years cadets then go to their respective military academies. Air Force cadets go to Air Force Academy, Dundigul and are commissioned into IAF as Flying Officer after 1.5 years of training. Naval cadets go to Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala and are commissioned into Indian Navy as Sublieutenant after 1 year of training. Army cadets go to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and are commissioned as Lieutenant in Indian Army after 1 year of training.

So that’s your journey to become a Lieutenant in Indian Army through NDA.

Hello Sambhaji Kalyankar

Major is considered as one of the most prestigious and reputed career rank in Indian Army. Major is two rank senior to that of Lieutenant and one rank senior to Captain. A Major is responsible for various strategic roles and he commands & directs a military unit. His role is very challenging as every soldier in his unit follows his order. So, he should be very sharp, intelligent and quick decision maker.

To become a Major in Army, the candidates first need to join National Defence Academy (NDA) or Combine Defence Services (CDS). To join National Defence Academy/Combine Defence Services a candidate must appear in the entrance exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi, twice a year. The Union Public Service Commission is solely responsible for issuing guidelines for selection and the final conduct of the entrance examination.

For NDA:

Eligibility Criteria to become a Major:

Candidates should be 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.

Age Limit:

The age limit should be between 16-1/2 to 19 years.

Physical Standards:

The candidate must be in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/disability which is likely to interfere with the efficient performance of Military duties.

There should be no evidence of weak constitution, bodily defects or underweight. The Candidate should not be overweight or obese.

The minimum acceptable height is 157 cms (162.5 cms. for Air Force). For Gorkhas and individuals belonging to hills of North-Eastern regions of India, Garhwal and Kumaon, the minimum acceptable heights will be 5 cms. less. In case of candidates from Lakshadweep the minimum acceptable height can be reduced by 2 cms.

Chest should be well developed. Fully expanded chest should not be less than 81 cms. The minimum range of expansion after full inspiration should be 5 cms.

There should be no maldevelopment or impairment of function of the bones or joint. A candidate should have no past history of mental breakdown or fits.

Any disease of skin which is likely to cause disability or disfigurement will also be a cause for rejection.

The distance vision (corrected) should be 6/6 in better eye and 6/9 in worse eye. Myopia should not be more than 2.5 D and hypermetropia not more than 3.5 D including Astigmatism.

The candidates should have sufficient number of natural and sound teeth. A minimum of 14 dental points will be acceptable. When 32 teeth are present, the total dental points are 22. A candidate should not be suffering from severe pyorrhea.

The hearing should be normal. A candidate should be able to hear a forced whisper with each ear at a distance of 610 cms in a quiet room.

Selection Procedure:

The exam will constitute 2 subjects, Maths and General Ability Test and each subject is given the time limit 2 ½ Hours, maximum marks for Maths is 300 & General ability is 600. The papers in all the subjects will consist of objective type questions only. Qualified candidates in the written examination will be called for Interview conducted by SSB (Services selection board).The SSB procedure consists of two stage Selection process-stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear for stage II.

These are Eligibility Criteria to become a Major.

ALL THE BEST

Regards