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NDA Full Form: National Defence Academy or National Democratic Alliance

Ranjan Kumar

Updated on 27th June, 2024 , 4 min read

NDA Full Form: Natio

NDA Full Form Overview

NDA full form is National Defence Academy. There is another full form of NDA as well which is National Democratic Alliance. Both NDA full forms are different from each other and has individual meaning. National Defence Academy is located at Khadakwasla, Pune and trains candidates to become officers in Army, Navy and Air Force. National Democratic Alliance is a group of political parties in India.

UPSC NDA exam is conducted twice a year for both male and female candidates by the Union Public Service Commission where lakhs of candidates appear for the exam.

What is NDA Full Form?

National Defence Academy: One NDA full form is the National Defence Academy exam conducted by UPSC. NDA candidates are selected through a written exam and SSB interview which includes general aptitude, psychological testing, team work, physical and social skills and medical test. Candidates join NDA for July and January semesters. Air Force candidates who join through the flying branch also go through a test called Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS) besides NDA.

Cadets who are selected and complete the course are sent to their respective training academies for one year before commission: Army cadets to Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun, Air Force cadets to Air Force Academy (AFA) at Dundigal, Hyderabad and Naval cadets to Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala, Kerala.

National Democratic Alliance: Another NDA full form is National Democratic Alliance. In India, NDA is a political alliance. In 1998, it was formed. BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) was the first party and had 13 parties. It came to power for the first time between 1998 and 2004. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first PM.

NDA Full Form - National Defence Academy

Candidates can check below the overview of UPSC NDA exam.

Parameters 

Details

Exam name

NDA and NA

NDA full form

National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination

Exam conducting authority

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

NDA eligibility criteria

NDA Age limit: 16.5 to 19.5 years

Educational Qualification: Class 12

Application mode

Online

Application fee

INR 100 for UR/OBC

Stages of exam

Written test (offline)

SSB interview

Exam mode

Offline

Number of papers

Paper 1: Maths

Paper 2: GAT

NDA Full Form: Selection Process

Candidates must clear all the stages of NDA Selection Process to be eligible for the provisional appointment.

NDA Selection Process

Written Exam

Question Type: Objective Type

Exam Mode: Offline

Medium: Hindi and English

Section: Mathematics and General Ability Test

Maximum Marks: 900

Duration: 2 ½ hours for each paper

SSB Interview

Stage I: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception  Description Test (PP&DT)

Stage II: Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference.

Maximum Marks: 900

NDA Full Form: Exam Pattern

The NDA exam pattern provides insights into the exam requirements, question type, number of sections, and marking scheme. Check the detailed NDA Exam Pattern below. The NDA exam is conducted offline and comprises objective-type questions.

NDA Full Form: Exam Pattern

Subject

Duration

Maximum Marks

Mathematics

2½ Hours

300

General Ability Test

2½ Hours

600

Total

900

SSB Test/Interview

900

NDA Full Form: Training

At the National Defence Academy (NDA), candidates from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force undergo joint training. The NDA, situated in Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra, serves as a consolidated defense service training facility for the Indian Armed Forces. After completing initial training at the NDA, cadets move on to their specific service academies for additional pre-commission training. Interestingly, NDA holds the distinction of being the world’s first tri-service academy.

Parameter

NDA Training

Duration of training

Four to Four and a half years

 

Initial three years at the National Defence Academy

 

Army cadets: one year at IMA

 

Naval cadets: one year at Naval Academy

 

Air Force cadets: One and a half years at AFA

Academies

National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune

 

Indian Military Academy, Dehradun

 

Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala

 

Indian Air Force Academy, Hyderabad

Degrees Provided

Army Cadets: BSc/BSc (Computer)/BA/BTech degree

 

Naval Cadets: BTech degree

 

Air Force Cadets: BTech degree

Nature of Commission

Permanent

Functions of National Defence Academy

Here are the functions of National Defence Academy:

  • NDA trains officers of all three forces i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force
  • NDA provides best education to the cadets
  • NDA trains cadets to develop leadership qualities
  • Academy helps officers to understand India’s defence policy and international relations
  • NDA is the only academy which trains officers of all three forces

How to Prepare for NDA?

Here are the tips given by experts to know NDA Strategy:

  • Read the NDA syllabus and exam pattern to know what to study, how to study and what all is covered. That will be the roadmap for your preparation.
  • Get conceptual clarity for all subjects. Foundational concepts are key to advanced topics and questions.
  • Choose recommended books and study materials. Expert advice and previous year toppers’ insights will help in book selection.
  • Practice with NDA Previous Year Question Papers and mock tests to know the exam pattern, identify your strengths and weaknesses and time management.
  • Read newspapers and magazines and prepare notes for regular revision to score well in General Knowledge section.
  • Time management should be a part of your study routine. More time should be given to higher weightage topics and regular breaks should be taken.
  • Short notes should be created for important topics and revised regularly. Short notes help in quick revision and help you to retain the concepts for longer.
  • Know the specific preparation strategy for each subject – Mathematics and General Ability Test. Study plan should be tailored to each subject.
  • Create a study plan as per syllabus. Time should be dedicated to each subject and key topics. Revisions and mock test practice should be included in your schedule.
  • Use online resources, get conceptual clarity and solve practice questions. Syllabus, dedicated time and self discipline are the key to home preparation.
  • Focus on high priority topics for each subject. Prioritize topics with more weightage to maximize your preparation.

Read More About National Defence Academy.

NDA Full Form - National Democratic Alliance

The full form of NDA is National Democratic Alliance. In India, the NDA is an alliance of political parties. In 1998, it was created. The NDA is headed by the BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party). This coalition came to power for the first time between 1998 and 2004. Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first PM (prime minister) of this coalition.

List of NDA partners

Below is the list of Political Parties under NDA:

  • BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party)
  • Lok Janshakti Party
  • Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena
  • Republican Party of India (Athawale)
  • AIADMK
  • Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
  • National People’s Party
  • Pattali Makkal Katchi
  • Apna Dal
  • Sikkim Krantikari Morcha
  • Mizo National Front
  • All Jharkhand Students Union
  • Asom Gana Parishad
  • United People’s Party Liberal

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Defence Academy?

The National Defence Academy is a joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces where cadets of the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together.

Where is the NDA located?

NDA is located in Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra, India.

What is the purpose of the NDA?

NDA trains cadets to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, providing them with the necessary skills and education to serve in the armed forces.

How can one join the NDA?

Candidates must clear the NDA entrance exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) followed by a Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.

How long is the training period at the NDA?

The training period at NDA is three years, after which cadets proceed to their respective service academies for further training.

What is the National Democratic Alliance?

The National Democratic Alliance is a coalition of political parties in India, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Who was the first Prime Minister from the NDA?

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first Prime Minister from the NDA.

Which major political party leads the NDA?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leads the NDA.

How does the NDA impact state elections?

The NDA often contests state elections as a coalition, pooling resources and support to increase their chances of winning against other political alliances.

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