NDA Exam Date 2024: NDA 1 & NDA 2 Schedule, Application & Eligibility

The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examinations for 2024, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), marked another year of opportunity for aspirants aiming to join the Indian Armed Forces. With NDA 1 already concluded and NDA 2 scheduled later in the year, here’s a comprehensive look back at the 2024 exam dates, application process, and eligibility criteria for both iterations of this prestigious defense entrance exam.

NDA Exam Date 2024: NDA 1 & NDA 2 Schedule, Application & Eligibility

NDA 1 2024: Schedule and Key Dates

The NDA 1 2024 examination took place on April 21, 2024, offering candidates their first shot of the year to secure admission into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). The official notification was released on December 20, 2023, with the application window open from December 20, 2023, to January 9, 2024.

Admit cards were issued in early April, and the written exam was conducted in two shifts: Mathematics (10:00 AM – 12:30 PM) and General Ability Test (GAT) (2:00 PM – 4:30 PM). Results were declared on May 9, 2024, paving the way for successful candidates to proceed to the Services Selection Board (SSB) interviews, which concluded by late July for final merit list preparation.

NDA 2 2024: Schedule and Key Dates

The NDA 2 2024 exam is scheduled for September 1, 2024, with its timeline still relevant as of early 2025 reflection. The notification was released on May 15, 2024, and applications were accepted from May 15, 2024, to June 4, 2024. Admit cards were expected in mid-August, and the exam followed the same two-shift format as NDA 1. Results are anticipated by late September or early October 2024, with SSB interviews spanning October to December, depending on UPSC’s final timeline. This exam targets the 154th NDA Course and 116th INAC, commencing in July 2025.

Application Process

For both NDA 1 and NDA 2 2024, candidates applied online via the UPSC portal (upsconline.nic.in). The process involved:

1. One-Time Registration (OTR): Creating an account on the UPSC website.
2. Application Form: Filling in personal details, educational qualifications, and exam center preferences, followed by uploading a photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar, Voter ID) in PDF format and a photograph/signature in JPG format.
3. Fee Payment: Rs. 100 for General/OBC candidates, with SC/ST candidates, women, and sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs exempted. Payment options included online modes (credit/debit card, net banking) or cash at SBI branches.

Applications were submitted by 6:00 PM on the respective deadlines, with a correction window available for minor edits post-submission.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility for NDA 1 and NDA 2 2024 remained consistent, catering to unmarried male and female candidates:

• Nationality: Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees settled in India before January 1, 1962.
• Age Limit:
  • NDA 1: Born between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008 (16.5 to 19.5 years as of course commencement).
  • NDA 2: Born between January 2, 2006, and January 1, 2009.
• Educational Qualification:
  • Army Wing: 12th Class pass (10+2 pattern) or equivalent from a recognized board/university.
  • Air Force, Navy, and INAC: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, or appearing in Class 12 (provisional admission subject to passing by December 24, 2024, for NDA 2).
• Physical Standards: Candidates had to meet rigorous fitness criteria, including minimum height (157 cm for men, 152 cm for women, with relaxations for certain regions), vision standards, and no major ailments. Detailed standards were outlined in the official notification.
• Marital Status: Only unmarried candidates were eligible, with marriage prohibited during training.

Exam Overview

Both NDA 1 and NDA 2 2024 featured a written exam (900 marks) comprising Mathematics (300 marks) and GAT (600 marks), followed by an SSB interview (900 marks). The written test included multiple-choice questions with negative marking (1/3rd marks deducted per wrong answer). Successful candidates underwent a five-day SSB process assessing intelligence, personality, and leadership potential, culminating in a final merit list.

Vacancies and Significance

NDA 1 2024 offered 400 vacancies (Army: 208, Navy: 42, Air Force: 120, INAC: 30), including 30 seats for women. NDA 2 2024 announced 404 vacancies, with a similar distribution. These exams facilitated entry into the 153rd NDA Course (January 2025) and 154th NDA Course (July 2025), respectively, underscoring their role as gateways to a career in India’s defense forces.

For updates or historical records, visit upsc.gov.in or nda.nic.in. Stay tuned for NDA 2 2024 results and SSB outcomes as the year progresses!