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Defence Services (NDA)

27

PUC Science · pathway 27 of 50

Defence Services (NDA)

BA / B.Sc awarded by JNU, plus a commission · 3 Years at NDA + 1 Year at the service academy

The written paper is only the start; a five-day board tests personality and potential.

You are happy taking charge of other people, and you are physically fit and mentally tough. What matters most is wanting a life of service, not only the uniform and the status that come with it.

After three years at the National Defence Academy and one at your service's academy, you lead troops, serve on ships, or fly and maintain aircraft. Hours are not fixed, postings change every few years, and some are places your family cannot come.

You apply after Class 12, unmarried and aged 16.5 to 19.5 at course start, with no relaxation; the Navy and Air Force wings need Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Medical and eyesight standards can rule you out, so get checked early. Cadets who finish leave with a JNU degree and a commission.

You might like this if you enjoy Sports & fitness Travel & the outdoors Law, society & government

Go deeper — Inside the Courses: Army · Navy · Air Force

pathway 27 · Defence Services (NDA)

The road

  1. SSLCClass 10
  2. 2 yearsPUC — any stream
  3. 3 Years at NDA + 1 Year at the service academyBA / B.Sc awarded by JNU, plus a commission

Or, after a degree: UPSC CDS exam after a bachelor degree — the Indian Military Academy and OTA take any graduate; the Naval and Air Force Academies need an engineering degree or Physics and Maths at Class 12

Common ways in: Engineering — pathway 15

Where it goes after that

Work

  1. Lieutenant, Indian Army
  2. Sub Lieutenant, Indian Navy
  3. Flying Officer, Indian Air Force
  4. Officer with pension and allowances
  5. Technical Entry Officer
  6. Military Engineering Services Officer
  7. Logistics Officer
  8. Years later — Commanding Officer
  9. Years later — Brigadier and above
  10. Years later — Service Chief

Study further

  1. Defence Services Staff College
  2. M.Tech at military institutions
  3. MBA after service
  4. DRDO research postings
  5. Technical staff courses
  6. Defence studies postgraduate degrees

Government

  1. Commissioned officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force
  2. CDS entry after graduation
  3. AFCAT entry for the Air Force
  4. Territorial Army and paramilitary officer routes

Your own

  1. Security and logistics consultancy after service
  2. Adventure and training academy
  3. Defence-sector advisory
Who can apply
Unmarried candidates aged 16.5 to 19.5 years at the course start, with no relaxation for any category. Class 12 pass for the Army wing; Physics, Chemistry and Maths required for the Navy and Air Force wings. Women are eligible for all three wings.

Where to study it A shortlist of well-regarded places, not every college.

Other places to study: National Defence Academy Khadakwasla · Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala · Air Force Academy Dundigal