NDA Examination Selection Procedure

Selection Procedure

Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination is usually conducted twice in a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in the months of May and October. The examination is conducted to select direct entry candidates as officers to the following four training academies.

(i) Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun for permanent Commission in the Indian Army.
(ii) Officers Training Academy (OTA) Madras for Short-Service Commission in the Indian Army.
(iii) Naval Academy Goa, for Commission in the General Services in the Indian Navy.
(iv) Airforce Academy, Begumpet, Hyderabad for Commission in the Indian Airforce.

The selection process in which over 500 candidates are usually selected every time for all four academies, has the following three stages:

(a) Written Examination by the UPSC.
(b) Intelligence & personality test by the SSB.
(c) Medical Examination.

All such candidates as qualify all above tests may hope to get a call for pre-Commission training on the basis of their final rank and choice.

(a) Written Examination: All unmarried male graduates are eligible to appear for IMA and OTA, whereas the qualification required for Naval Academy is B.Sc. with Physics and Mathematics or Bachelor of Engineering. For Air Force Academy a degree with Mathematics and Physics or equivalent is required. The minimum age is 18 years at the time of taking the examination. The upper age limit, however, varies. It is 24 years for OTA, 23 years for IMA, 21 years for Naval Academy and 22 years for the Airforce Academy. Since the selection process takes almost one year (from the time of filling up the form), the actual lower and upper age-limits are enhanced by one year in all above cases.

Subjects of Nepal, Bhutan or Tibetan refugees who immigrated before January 1, 1962, are also eligible subject to a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India. It is also pertinent to add that no reservations on the basis of caste and tribe are there there in Defence Services. However, there are certain seats reserved for the holders of "C-Certificate" of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) who are exempted from passing the written examination. Married candidates, if otherwise eligible, are allowed to take the examination only for OTA Madras.

The written examination is objective type in nature. The candidates are tested in the following three subjects for IMA, Naval Academy and Airforce Academy.

1. English 100 marks (2 hours)
2. General Knowledge 100 marks (2 hours)
3. Elementary Mathematics 100 marks (2 hours)

For OTA Madras, only first two papers are required to be qualified. Question papers are set only in English. The English paper is designed to test the understanding of English language and the use of workman-like words. The syllabus is equivalent to the graduate level examination. The General Knowledge paper includes questions on History of India, Geography, current affairs and the matters of day-to-day observation and the experience in their scientific aspects as may be expected of an educated person without specific study of any subject. The paper in Elementary Mathematics is of matriculation standard and includes questions on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration and Basic statistics.

There are 30 centres of examination all over the country. The names of these centres are: Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bareilly, Bhopal, Bombay, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Cochin, Cuttack, Delhi, Dharwar, Dispur, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Jorhat, Kohima, Lucknow, Madras, Madurai, Nagpur, Panaji, Patna, Port Blair, Raipur, Sambalpur, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Tirupati, Trivandrum, Udaipur and Vishakhapatnam.

(b) Intelligence and Personality Test: All the candidates declared successful by the UPSC in the written examination are then put to intelligence and personality test by the SSB, popularly known as the SSB interview. This interview is a comprehensive test of one's personality, intelligence and suitability to be chosen as an officer in the Defence Services. SSB interview lasts for 3 to 4 days and has several components like intelligence tests, group discussion, small lectures on general issues, group planning, outdoor group tasks, physical fitness tests, an interview and several psychological tests like situation reaction test, picturestory writing test (TAT), etc. All these tests are intended to judge the physical and mental faculties of a candidate. In broad terms, S.S.B. interview is in fact an assessment of not only intellectual qualities of a candidate but is also an appraisal of his social traits and general interests which help in assessing his suitability for the service.

(c) Medical Examination: The candidates declared successful after SSB interviews are then required to undergo a detailed examination by a medical board in the nearest Military Hospital. This test again lasts for 3 to 4 days. The minimum required standards of medical fitness are quite stringent which are different for all three wings of services. To avoid last minute disappointment the candidates are advised to get themselves medically examined on their own before they apply for the examination.

Pre-Commission Training

A merit list is finally prepared, consisting of candidates who qualify all the three tests listed above. On the basis of their ranking in the final merit list and choice of service, the candidates are selected for pre-Commission training in the concerned Academy and are called upon to join the Academy as a "Gentleman Cadet".

The training is quite rigorous in nature and lays emphasis on physical fitness, drill, academics, weapon training, tactics and professional competence at junior leadership level. After a given duration of training (which varies from Academy to Academy) the successful candidates are Commissioned in the concerned Defence Service i.e. Indian Army, Indian Navy or Indian Airforce. It is also pertinent to add that all the cadets Commissioned through OTA Madras as short-service Commissioned Officers are initially Commissioned for a period of five years, after which they have an option to either continue or leave the service. All the non-optees are then released from service who are eligible to get all the benefits, except pension, that are available to ex-servicemen. Service record of those who opt to continue is scrutinised and all those found suitable are then granted permanent Commission. All those who are not found fit for permanent Commission are given an extension of service for a period of five years during which period they are allowed to apply for alternate employment and as soon as they get a job, they are released from service.

Coaching and Preparation

Candidates are advised to carry out a planned preparation for the written examination. A review of previous question papers is particularly beneficial. Regular reference to a good competition magazine like "The Competition Master" may be of immense use as it would assist the candidates in preparing English and General Knowledge papers. Features on Personality Development and General Intelligence are quite useful during the SSB interview.
The interview needs special preparations. As different from usual interviews, it is a comprehensive personality test to which most fresh candidates have no previous exposure. It is suggested that the candidates should go through some standard book on SSB interviews. It is also recommended that fresh candidates should join some coaching academy providing fruitful coaching for SSB interviews. Such academies/institutions are being run by retired service officers in several cities and towns.

Further Details

Detailed advertisement is published about six months before the date of examination in all leading newspapers which gives details of the examination. Complete details like rules, syllabus, medical standards, number of vacancies, etc are given in the corresponding issue of "Employment News". In addition, candidates Information Manuals containing details of objective-type-tests including sample questions, are supplied to all candidates alongwith the admission certificate, by the UPSC.

NDA and Naval Academy

The CDS Examination facilitates the graduates to seek careers in the defence forces as direct entry officers. Another opportunity, to the bright and energetic deserving candidates is available as NDA/Naval Academy Entry officers. This avenue is open to relatively younger candidates with 10+2 qualifications. NDA and Naval Academy (Executive Branch) provides assured career at young age with no financial burden of four-year training in the various training academies. The training at NDA culminates with a graduation degree from the Jawahar Lal Nehru University. Three-year training at NDA is followed up by one-year professional training at Indian Military Academy (IMA) for the Army, Naval Academy for the Indian Navy and Air Force Academy for the Air Force.

All these wings of Defence Forces offer very good career opportunities blended with adventure. Besides offering one of the best pay structure in the government service, the forces also offer facilities like free rations, free medical facilities, free/concessional travel by rail during leave, provident fund, group insurance and concessional residential accommodation. Besides, defence forces also offer a good social and regimented life. Time-bound promotions, upto a particular level, for all officers and selective top promotions to the meritorious and bright officers is the hallmark of a career in the defence forces.


The Selection Process

The UPSC conducts the NDA and Naval Academy (Executive Branch) Examination twice every year usually in the months of April and September. Each examination is conducted to select 350 candidates, with 214 seats for the Army, 43 for the Navy 73 for the Air Force and 20 seats for the Executive Branch of Naval Academy. At the time of submitting the applications, the candidates are required to give their preferences for particular wings of the forces. The advertisement for September Examination usually apperars in April, every year, in all major national and regional newspapers. Similarly, the advertisement for April examination usually appears in September/October. Simultaneously the detailed advertisement also appears in the "Employment News" of the concerned week.

(a) Eligibility: Only unmarried male candidates of the age group of 161/2 years to 19 years are eligible to take the examination for NDA/Naval Academy (Executive Branch). Educational qualification for Army and Air Force wing at NDA is 12th pass of 10+2 pattern or equivalent. For Naval wing of NDA and Naval Academy (Executive Branch), the educational qualification is 12th pass of 10+2 pattern with Physics and Mathematics or equivalent. The candidates appearing for the final examination of 10+2 standard are also eligible to appear.

For being eligible to appear in the examination, a candidate must be a citizen of India or a subject of Bhutan or Nepal. Tibetan refugees or persons of Indian Origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam, with the intention of permanently settling in India, are also eligible. However, candidates belonging to these categories shall need to obtain a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India.

A candidate seeking admission to the examination must send his application form to the UPSC on the proforma given in the advertisement for this examination. The admission to the examination is purely provisional as no certificates are required to be attached with the application.

(b) Written Examination: The candidates are tested in two papers of 21/2 hours duration each. First paper is of "Mathematics" and carries a maximum of 600 marks. The question papers consist of objective type questions and are set in English only. There is no fixed pass percentage of marks and depending on the number of candidates appearing in the examination and their overall performance, the qualifying marks are determined.

The paper-I on Mathematics is of Matriculation Examination standard and consists questions on Arithmetic, Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Statistics. Paper-II on General Ability consists of two parts. Part-A comprises of the test of English Language to judge the general understanding of English Language by the candidates and carries 200 marks. Part-B of Paper-II consists of General Knowledge carrying 400 marks and has six sections. The weightage given to these six sections of General Knowledge is: Physics 25% Chemistry 15%, General Science 10%, History, Freedom Movement etc 20%, Geography 20% and current Affairs 10%.

There are 40 centres of examination. The names of these centres are: Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bareilly, Bhopal, Bombay, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Cochin, Cuttack, Delhi, Dharwar, Dispur, Gangtok, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Jorhat, Kavaratti, Kohima, Lucknow, Madras, Madurai, Nagpur, Panaji, Patna, Port Blair, Raipur, Sambalpur, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Tirupati, Trivandrum, Udaipur and Vishakhapatnam.

(c) Intelligence and Personality Test: Just like the CDS Examination, all the candidates declared successful in the written examination are required to qualify an intelligence and personality test conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). The intelligence tests at SSB are both oral as well as written and are designed to judge the basic intelligence of the candidates. During the four-day-personality test, the candidates are also put to Group Tests such as group discussion, group planning, outdoor group tasks etc. All these tests are aimed at judging the behaviour of the candidate in a group. In addition the personality test also requires a candidate to deliver an impromptu lecturette on the subjects of general interest as well as to clear ten obstacles in 30 seconds. This way mental calibre as well as physical robustness of the candidates is judged. The SSB interview is also blended with a series of psychological tests like Situation REaction Test (SRT) and pictures story writing. These psychological tests are aimed at judging the trait of positive outlook of the candidate. In broad terms, the intelligence and personality test is not only the test of intellectual faculties of the candidates but is also directed at judging their social traits, interest in current affairs and physical and psychological toughness which finally helps to judge their suitability for the services.

The candidates declared successful after the SSB interview are then required to undergo a comprehensive medical examination by a medical board in a local Military Hospital. To avoid the last minute disappointment the candidates are advised to get themselves medically examined as per the prescribed standards. Prescribed standards of medical fitness are given in the detailed advertisement given in the Employment News.

The Training Academies
On the basis of performance of the candidates in the written examination and the personality test, final merit list is prepared and published in all leading newspapers. The candidates, on the basis of their rank in the final merit list and preference, are asked to join at the NDA or Naval Academy (Executive Branch).

The three-year training at NDA includes the qualifying of certain physical standards, basic knowledge of three wings of the armed forces and study of academics leading to a graduation degree. In addition, basic etiquettes of the forces, discipline in the armed forces and basics of drill etc are also taught. After successful training spreading over six terms of six months each at NDA, the candidates, as per their choice, go to the Indian Military Academy for Army or to the Naval Academy for Navy or to the Air-Force Academy for Air Force for two terms of six months each. On successful completion of training at these academies, the cadets are Commissioned into the defence forces as Second Lieutenant (Army) or Acting sub-Lieutenant (Navy) or Pilot Officer (Air-Force). During the last six months of training the cadets are also entitled to the salary which is given to them in lump-sum, on commissioning.

Coaching and Preparations

Preparations for the written examination needs special attention, Mathematics paper, being theoretical in nature is comparatively easy to prepare. Paper-II (General Ability) needs special attention and preparation which consists of English and General Knowledge. Regular reading of "The Competition Master" is particularly useful for Paper-II as it effectively helps the candidates to prepare for English Language and General Knowledge. Similarly, SSB interview being different from routine interviews needs special preparations. There are certain academies, particularly those run by former officers of the defence forces, which provide useful coaching to the candidates preparing for the interview. The candidates may choose genuine academies and undergo coaching for the interview.

Further details about the examination are available in the detailed advertisment which appears in the Employment News. Information about the examination is also given in the "Candidates Information Manual" which gives details about objective-type tests. This booklet is supplied by the UPSC to all the candidates alongwith the admission certificate.

Women Officers in Indian Army

Career in the Armed forces offers a rare blend of adventure, good career prospects and a prestigious job. Several special concessions are offered by the Armed Forces to its Officers which are not available in any other service. This includes provision of free rations, facility of CSD (Canteen Stores Department) where goods of day-to-day use are available at concessional rates, free first class railway warrant once every year upto the home town to avail the leave, concessional railway warrants for subsequent journeys, two months' annual leave (with the facility of encashment on yearsly basis), concessional furnished family accommodation, furnished bachelor accommodation in the Officers' mess at every station and free medical service through its various Military Hospitals and Regimental Medical Inspection Rooms. These special benefits are in addition to normal admissible benefits like the casual leave, Army Group Insurance Scheme, Provident Fund, etc.

While the career in AMC, MNS and ADC are short service as well as regular commissions, the new scheme known as Women Special Entry Scheme (Officers) (WSES)(O) is slightly different. The initial contractual period is five years but in case any candidate is found unfit or unsuitable within first six months, her commission can be terminated any time before the expiry of five year period. The scheme further provides that all the lady Officers granted commission under this scheme would serve the Indian Army for a period of five years from the date of grant of Commission subject to fulfilment of other conditions. In addition, the lady officers carry reserve liability to serve the Indian Army for a period of five years plus two years on voluntary basis, or upto 37 years of age, whichever is earlier. It means that after their release, the lady Officers remain on reserve for five years and can be recalled for duty during this period in case of emergencies. This period could be extended by two more years if the Officer so desires or upto 37 years of age, whichever is earlier. WSES(O), however, does not have any provision for permanent commission, although this matter is said to be under consideration of the Government of India. Lady Officers in the two entries other than WSES(O), like AMC, ADC, etc, however, have the provision for permanent commission.

Eligibility & Selection

The candidate must either be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or of Tibetan Origin but of Indian Domicile whose parents entered India as refugee prior to 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India. Any person of Indian origin who migrated from the countries like Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam, with the intention of permanently settling in India is also eligible. However, all the candidates who are not the citizens of India but are otherwise eligible under any of the above mentioned categories, must obtain and attach certificate of eligibility alongwith her application which is issued by the Government of India.

While the age limit for ASC, AEC and JAG is 21 to 27 years, this age limit is 19 to 25 years for all other branches including AOC, Engrs, Int Corps, EME and Sigs. Minimum qualification, however, varies from service to service as per the table given on next page.

The advertisement for recruitment of lady Officers under the WSES(O) appears from time to time as per requirement, normally twice every year in most of the national and important regional newspapers. The candidates are required to apply to the Additional Directorate General of Recruiting (Women Entry Section), West Block-III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066. The format of application is usually given in the advertisement. Short-listing of eligible candidates is done at the Additional Directorate level and the short-listed candidates are then required to appear before the Service Selection Board (SSB). Such candidates are allowed second class to an fro railway fare for the first time only. The selected candidates are then required to undergo a medical examination which is usually done by a special Medical Board at the nearest Military Hospital. The aspiring candidates must therefore ensure that they are in good physical and mental health and free from any disability which is likely to interfere with the efficient performance of their official duties. The broad indications of medical standards are that the height and weight should not be less than 36 kgs and 142 cms respectively for women candidates. Corrected distance vision should be at least 6/6 for better eye and 6/18 for the worse eye and Myopia of not more than minus 5.5 D including astigmatism.

Getting into Armed Forces

     ARMY

1. National Defence Academy: Age: 16-19 years. Qualifications: Class 12. Look out for advt in April and October every year.

2. a) Indian Military Academy: Direct Entry through CDSE conducted by UPSC and SSB Interview. Age: 19-24 years. Qualifications: Degree or equivalent. Look out for advt in April and October every year.
   b) Engineering graduates: Age: 20-27 years. Selection through SSB Interview. Qualifications: Engineering degree. Look out for advt in April and October every year.
   c) University Entry Scheme: Final and pre-final year students of Engineering degree course. Selection through Campus Interview and SSB Interview. Look out for advt in July.

3. a) Officers Training Academy: Short Service Commission (Non-Technical): Age: 19-25 years. Qualifications: Degree or equivalent. Selection through CDSE and SSB interview. Look out for advt in March and October.
   b) Short Service Commission (Technical): Age: 20-27 years. Qualifications: Engineering degree. Selection through direct SSB Interview. Look out for advt in March and October.
   c) Short Service Commission (NCC Special Entry Scheme): Age: 19-25 years. Qualifications: Graduate with 50% marks and 2 years service in NCC. Selection through direct SSB Interview. Advt appears in October/November.
   d) Women's Entry Scheme: Age: 19-27 years. Qualifications: Graduate/Post graduate. Selection through direct SSB Interview. Look out for advt in June and December.
   For more information on selection to the Army, write to: addl Directorate General of Recruiting. Army HQ West Block III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi - 110066.

    NAVY

1. Permanent Commission
   a) Cadet Entry (NDA), Cadet Entry (Executive) Naval Academy, Goa (through NDA Exam).Qualifications: Class 12 with Physics and Maths. Age: 16-19 years.
   b) Graduate Special Entry, Naval Academy, Goa (through CDSE). Qualifiations: B.Sc with Physics and Maths or BE. Age: 19-22 years.
   c) Direct Entry Naval Armament Inspection Cadre: Qualifications: BE or PG degree in Electronics or Physics. Age: 19-25 years.
   d) Direct Entry Law Cadre: Degree in Law with minimum 55% marks. Age: 22-27 years.

2. Short Service Commission (Men and Women)
   a) Law Cadre: Qualifications: Degree in Law with minimum 55% marks. Age: 22-27 years.
   b) Logistics Cadre: Qualifications: BA(Econs)/B.Com with second division or graduation with degree/diploma in Material or Financial Management. Age: 19-25 years.
   c) Air Traffic Control (ATC): B.Sc with minimum 50% marks in Physics and Maths. Age: 19-25 years.

3. Education Branch
   Permanent/Short Service Commission: MA degree in Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Computer Science, Humanities or Engineering. Age: 21-25 years. Men and women can apply for Short Service Commission.

4. Engineering Branch (Marine Engineers)
   a) Permanent Commission: Cadet Entry (NDA) or (Tech): Qualifications: Class 12 with PCM. Age 16-19 years. Direct Entry: Qualifications: Engineering Degree. Age: 19-25 years.
   b) Short Service Commission: Qualifications: Engineering degree. Age: 19-25 years.

5. Engineering (Naval Architects)
   a) Cadet Entry: Class 12 with PCM with minimum 70% maks in aggregate. Age: 16-19 years.
   b) Direct Entry: Degree in Naval Architecture or Engineering. Age: 21-25 years.

6. Electrical Branch
   a) Permanent Commission: Cadet Entry: Qualifications: Class 12 with PCM with minimum 70% marks. Age: 16-19 years. Direct Entry: Engineering degree. Age: 19-25 years.
   b) Short Service Commission: Engineering degree. Age: 19-25 years.
   For information on selection to the Indian Navy, contact: DDMPR (R & R), Naval HQ, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi - 110011, Tel: 3011213. Fax: 3792957.

   AIR FORCE

1. NDA: It has a 3 years' course before one is inducted as a Pilot Trainee at the Air Force Academy, Qualifications: Class 12 with Physics and Maths. Age: 16-19 years.

2. Air Force Academy (CDSE): Qualifications: B.Sc with Physics and/or Maths or BE. Age: 19-23 years.

3. 3. NCC: Qualifications: B.Sc with Physics and/or Maths and a C certificate of the NCC Air Wing. Age: 19-23 years.

4. Flying Branch (Transport/Helicopter pilots): Age: 19-23 years, relaxable to 25 years for those holding Commercial Pilot License. Applications are called by AIR HQ followed by SSB Interview.

5. Technical Branch (Aeronautical Engineering: Electronics or Mechanical): Qualifications: BE/B.Tech/Degree with PCM.

6. Ground Duty Branch: Qualifications: First class graduate or second class post-graduate. Age: 20-23 years for post-graduates. Entrance through SSB Interview. B.Com/M.Com graduates can apply for Accounts Branch. In Meteorological branch, the qualifications required is M.Sc.