The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the notification for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I) 2025. This prestigious examination is a gateway for young aspirants to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with entry into the Naval Academy’s 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme. A total of 406 vacancies are available, offering a significant opportunity for eligible candidates to serve the nation.
Below, we provide comprehensive details regarding eligibility, application procedure, exam pattern, and other essential aspects of the UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024.
- UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Examination
- Breakdown of UPSC NDA 1 December 2024 Vacancies
- UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Eligibility Criteria
- Salary Structure for NDA Candidates
- Career Growth After NDA
- UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Application Process
- UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment 13 April 2025 Exam Pattern
- UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Exam Centres
- UPSC NDA 1 December 2024 Key Dates
- UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Selection Process
- UPSC NDA 1 Important Links
- Smart FAQs for UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024
UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Examination
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I) 2025 |
| Conducted By | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 406 |
| Application Start Date | 11 December 2024 |
| Application End Date | 31 December 2024 (up to 6:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | 13 April 2025 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Breakdown of UPSC NDA 1 December 2024 Vacancies
The 406 vacancies are divided among different branches, ensuring opportunities for candidates across various roles.
| Branch | Total Vacancies | Female Seats Included |
|---|---|---|
| Army Wing (NDA) | 208 | 10 |
| Navy Wing (NDA) | 42 | 6 |
| Air Force Wing (NDA) | Flying: 92 | 6 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Entry) | 36 | 5 |
| Total | 406 | |
UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for the UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 must meet the eligibility standards related to nationality, age, education, and physical fitness.
1. Nationality
Candidates must be:
- Indian citizens or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan.
- Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement.
- Persons of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, etc.) with a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
2. Age Limit
- Candidates born between 2 July 2006 and 1 July 2009 (both dates inclusive) are eligible.
3. Educational Qualifications
| Wing | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Army Wing (NDA) | 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern or equivalent. |
| Air Force and Navy (NDA) | 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. |
| Naval Academy (10+2) | Same as above. |
- Candidates appearing for the 12th Class exam in March/April 2025 are eligible to apply provisionally.
4. Marital Status
- Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
5. Physical Standards
- Candidates must meet physical fitness standards prescribed by UPSC. Permanent body tattoos (except on the inner side of the forearm) are not allowed. Specific standards related to height, weight, and vision are detailed in the notification.
Salary Structure for NDA Candidates
Candidates selected through NDA 1 Recruitment will be appointed as cadets in the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings. The salary is structured as per the Defence Pay Matrix and increases with promotions.
Training Period Salary
| Position | Pay (Stipend) |
|---|---|
| Officer Cadet (Training) | ₹56,100 per month |
Post-Training Salary Structure
| Rank | Pay Scale | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 | Level 10 |
| Captain | ₹61,300 – ₹1,93,900 | Level 10B |
| Major | ₹69,400 – ₹2,07,200 | Level 11 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | ₹1,21,200 – ₹2,12,400 | Level 12A |
| Colonel | ₹1,30,600 – ₹2,15,900 | Level 13 |
| Brigadier | ₹1,39,600 – ₹2,17,600 | Level 13A |
| Major General | ₹1,44,200 – ₹2,18,200 | Level 14 |
| Lieutenant General | ₹1,82,200 – ₹2,24,100 | Level 15 |
Additional Allowances
Apart from the basic pay, NDA-qualified officers are eligible for multiple allowances, including:
- Military Service Pay (MSP): ₹15,500 per month.
- Dearness Allowance (DA): As per government norms.
- High Altitude Allowance: Based on postings in difficult terrains.
- Uniform Allowance: Fixed amount for maintenance of uniforms.
- Field Area Allowance: For postings in field areas.
- Transport Allowance: Monthly allowance for travel expenses.
- Children Education Allowance: Up to ₹2,250 per child (maximum 2 children).
Career Growth After NDA
Candidates selected through UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment begin their careers as cadets, undergoing rigorous training at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla and the respective service academies. Promotions are granted based on experience, performance, and examinations.
| Rank | Average Promotion Duration |
|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Initial appointment |
| Captain | 2-3 years |
| Major | 6-7 years |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 13 years |
| Colonel | 15-18 years |
| Brigadier | 20-23 years |
| Major General | 25-28 years |
| Lieutenant General | Over 30 years |
UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Application Process
Candidates must submit their applications online. The process is detailed below:
1. Registration
- Visit the official website: upsconline.gov.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) by providing basic details such as name, email ID, phone number, and address.
2. Form Filling
- Log in with the OTR credentials and navigate to the NDA I 2025 application form.
- Fill in the required details:
- Personal information (name, DOB, gender).
- Educational qualifications.
- Choice of service preference (Army, Navy, Air Force, or Naval Academy).
3. Upload Documents
- Photograph: Scanned copy (20–300 KB, JPG format).
- Signature: Scanned copy (20–300 KB, JPG format).
- Photo ID Proof: Aadhaar, Passport, or Voter ID (PDF, 20–300 KB).
4. Application Fee
- General/OBC: ₹100
- SC/ST/Female candidates/Wards of JCOs, NCOs, ORs: Exempted.
- Payment Mode: Online (Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, UPI) or via SBI e-Challan.
5. Submission
- Verify the information carefully before submission.
- Submit the form and take a printout of the confirmation page for reference.
UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment 13 April 2025 Exam Pattern
The NDA exam consists of a Written Test and an SSB Interview, designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge, personality, and leadership potential.
UPSC NDA 1 Written Examination
| Subject | Code | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 01 | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 02 | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| Total Marks | 900 | ||
- Mathematics includes topics like algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and statistics.
- General Ability Test (GAT) covers English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks).
SSB Interview
| Stage | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception. | Qualifying |
| Stage 2 | Psychological Tests, Group Testing, and Personal Interview. | 900 |
Final Merit
- The final merit list is prepared based on the combined scores of the Written Exam (900 marks) and SSB Interview (900 marks), totaling 1800 marks.
UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Exam Centres
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the NDA (I) Examination across multiple cities in India to facilitate access for candidates from all regions. The selection of the examination centre is part of the application process and is subject to availability on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Below is the list of examination centres, along with additional details about their allocation process.
List of UPSC NDA 1 Examination Centres 13 April 2025
| State/UT | Exam Centres |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Assam | Guwahati, Jorhat |
| Bihar | Patna, Muzaffarpur |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
| Delhi | Delhi |
| Goa | Panaji (Goa) |
| Gujarat | Ahmedabad, Surat |
| Haryana | Ambala, Hisar |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla, Hamirpur |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi, Jamshedpur |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Dharwad, Mysore |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode |
| Ladakh | Leh |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Ujjain |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad |
| Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | Kohima |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar, Cuttack |
| Punjab | Ludhiana, Patiala |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer |
| Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Warangal |
| Tripura | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, Allahabad |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Haldwani |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Siliguri |
Key Points About 13 April 2025 Examination Centres
- First-Come-First-Allotment Basis:
- Candidates are advised to apply early as examination centres are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- Once a centre reaches its capacity, it will no longer be available for selection.
- Limited Seats:
- Some centres, especially in metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, have a higher number of applicants.
- Ensure timely registration to secure a preferred centre.
- Once the application is submitted, candidates cannot change their chosen examination centre.
- Admit Card Details:
- The exact venue details, including the address of the exam centre, will be mentioned on the admit card.
- Candidates must download the admit card from the UPSC portal at least 7 days before the examination date.
- Depending on health advisories at the time of the exam, candidates may be required to follow safety guidelines such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
- Candidates must arrange their own travel and accommodation near the exam centres.
Selection of 13 April 2025 UPSC NDA 1 Exam Centres During Application
During the online application process, candidates will have to select their preferred examination centre.
- Candidates are allowed to choose a single centre.
- Availability of seats is displayed dynamically during the application submission.
- Popular centres like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru often fill up quickly.
UPSC NDA 1 December 2024 Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 11 December 2024 |
| Application Start | 11 December 2024 |
| Application End | 31 December 2024 (6 PM) |
| Correction Window | 1–7 January 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 7 days before the exam |
| Exam Date | 13 April 2025 |
UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024 Selection Process
The selection process involves the following stages:
- Written Exam: Candidates must qualify in both Mathematics and GAT papers.
- SSB Interview: Shortlisted candidates undergo rigorous testing for personality and leadership skills.
- Medical Examination: Candidates must meet the prescribed physical and medical standards.
- Final Merit List: Based on written exam and SSB scores, UPSC will release the final list of selected candidates.
UPSC NDA 1 Important Links
| Document | Link |
|---|---|
| Notification PDF | Download Here |
| Apply Online | Apply Here |
Smart FAQs for UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024
Total number of vacancies available in UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment 2024?
The recruitment offers a total of 406 vacancies, distributed among the Army Wing, Navy Wing, Air Force Wing, and Naval Academy.
What are the job roles available through NDA 1 2024?
The available roles are:
- Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) (36 vacancies)
- Army Wing Cadets (208 vacancies)
- Navy Wing Cadets (42 vacancies)
- Air Force Wing Cadets (Flying: 92, Ground Duty: 28)
What is the educational qualification required for NDA 1 Recruitment?
- Army Wing (NDA): 12th Pass from a recognised board.
- Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy: 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as mandatory subjects.
Who can apply for NDA 1 December 2024?
Unmarried male and female candidates who meet the age, educational, and nationality criteria are eligible to apply.
What is the age limit for NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024?
Candidates born between 2nd July 2006 and 1st July 2009 (both dates inclusive) are eligible.
What is the selection process for UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024?
The selection process includes:
- Final Merit List: Based on total scores from the written test and SSB interview.
- Written Examination: Two papers (Mathematics and General Ability Test) for 900 marks.
- SSB Interview: Personality and intelligence tests for 900 marks.
- Medical Examination: Assessment of physical and medical fitness.
For more updates on UPSC NDA 1 Recruitment December 2024, visit the official UPSC website.
