Due to the fact that UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) NDA (National Defence Academy) is a highly sought-after institution that trains candidates to be entry-level officers in the Indian Armed Forces, aspiring students from all across the nation submit applications. A commonly asked question among students with an Arts background is whether they can apply for the NDA exam.
To answer the question, yes, students in the Arts are eligible to apply for the NDA exam but only for the Army domain. Male or female candidates between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 must be unmarried in order to qualify for NDA. Candidates willing to appear for NDA exams can apply for the same only if they fulfil the prescribed NDA Eligibility Criteria.
This article aims to inform candidates of all eligibility conditions by answering this question for them. In this article, we answer all the concerns of Arts stream students considering the NDA. Candidates can check the NDA Notification to dive deep for relevant details.
| Wondering how to do a comprehensive study of the NDA Syllabus? Check the links for assistance in the preparation of the NDA exam- |
NDA Exam Pattern For Arts Students
Before taking the test, each candidate should be familiar with the structure of the exam because it enables them to comprehend the different exam levels. Before starting to study for the test, make sure you fully comprehend NDA Topics for Arts Students by reviewing the exam format. The most recent UPSC NDA exam format is shown in the table below:
| NDA Exam Pattern – Written Exams | ||||
| NDA Written Exams | Subject | Duration | Number of Questions | Maximum marks |
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 2 hrs 30 mins | 120 | 300 |
| Paper 2 | GAT | 2 hrs 30 mins | 150 | 600 |
| Total | 5 hours | 270 | 900 | |
The marks distribution for the GAT (General Ability Test) is given below
| NDA General Ability Test | ||
| Part | Sections | Maximum marks |
| Part A – English | English Comprehension | 200 |
| Part B – General Awareness
|
Current Events | 40 |
| Chemistry | 60 | |
| General Science | 40 | |
| History, Freedom Movement, etc. | 80 | |
| Geography | 80 | |
| Physics | 100 | |
| Total | 600 | |
The detailed NDA Exam Pattern & Syllabus is given in the linked article.
The detailed rank-wise NDA Salary, allowances, perks and other monetary benefits accredited to NDA Officers are given in detail in the article linked above.
NDA Exam: Educational Qualification For Arts Students
On the official website, one can access the application form to register for the NDA Exam. Also, UPSC provides the educational requirements for Arts students applying to the NDA Exam in an official notification. Look out for the information for NDA for students majoring in the Arts:
| UPSC NDA Educational Qualification 2023 | ||
| NDA Educational Qualification | Details | Can Arts Students Apply for NDA? |
| For the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the INA | 12th Class pass with the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent conducted by a State Education Board or a University. | No |
| For Army Wing of NDA | 12th Class pass with the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a
University. |
Yes |
| For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA | 12th Class pass with the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent conducted by a State Education Board or a University. | No |
Candidates who appear for the NDA exam can check their names on the NDA Result PDF provided on the given link.
NDA Exam: Eligibility Criteria For Arts Students
Candidates looking for information on NDA eligibility requirements for Arts students to apply for the NDA Exam can find answers to all of their questions on the minimum age and height criteria in the following table:
| NDA Eligibility Criteria for Arts Students | |
| Nationality | An NDA application can only be filed by Indian citizens. The NDA is also open to applicants who are citizens of Bhutan, Nepal, or exiled Tibetans who arrived in India before January 1, 1962. |
| Who can Apply? | Male & Female Candidates |
| Marital Status | Applicants must be unmarried and are not allowed to marry while they are in training. |
| Age Limit | 16.5 – 19.5 Years |
| Physical Criteria | Chest Measurements as specified in the official notification. Candidates should also be medically fit. |
| Minimum Height Male: 157 cm (Note: Relaxation is there for candidates, depending on Region ) | |
| Minimum Height Female: 152 cm (Note: Relaxation is there for candidates, depending on Region ) | |
| Minimum Height Male & Female Candidates (Flying Branch): 162.5 cm | |
Aspirants willing to appear for the NDA exam can go through the detailed NDA Eligibility Criteria in the given link.
What Is the NDA Exam Registration Process?
UPSC conducts the NDA (National Defence Academy) exam twice a year. The application forms are released online and candidates must register online before the last date of submission of the application form. Following is a step by step process to apply for the UPSC NDA exam:
Step 1: Visit the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) website and register there in order to apply for the NDA exam.
Step 2: Verify that candidate meets the criteria for taking the NDA exam, such as age, education level, and nationality.
Step 3: Complete the application form completely and upload all required files, including the photo and signature.
Step 4: Carefully read the form for the details, before the next step.
Step 5: Pay the application fee via an online payment method or an SBI bank challan.
Step 6: Submit the form, save the file for future reference.
Note: The candidates applying for NDA are required to pay Rs.100. The mode of payment is as follows:
- Cash payment at the nearest State Bank of India branch
- Debit/Credit Cards
- Net Banking
For more details on the NDA Exam Fees, visit the linked article.
After passing the entrance exam-based written exam, a candidate would be selected forthe next round, which is the SSB interview. An SSB Interview, also known as a Service Selection Board Interview, is used to assess a candidate’s aptitudes based on a combination of their cognitive, motor, psychological, and group activity-based skills. The Service Selection Board (SSB) procedure takes place over the course of five days. Each candidate is examined by three distinct examiners interviewing officer, the group testing officer, and the psychologist—before each examiner makes their own conclusion.
The complete NDA SSB Selection Process is given in detail, in the linked article, visit the page for more details.
Aspirants of the various examinations can go through the preparation strategies for competitive exams on the linked page to ace the exam with flying colours.
Aspirants of other exams conducted by UPSC can go through the given links for assistance-
| UPSC Syllabus | UPSC CAPF Syllabus | UPSC CAPF Eligibility |
| IAS Exam | UPSC 2023 | NCERT Notes |
