Understanding the NDA 2020 Selection Process – A Guide For UPSC NDA and NA aspirants

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) examinations every year. The purpose of the UPSC NDA and NA examination is to assess and qualify candidates for admission into the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. Qualifying candidates are admitted into the Army, Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and the 10 + 2 cadet entry scheme at the INA. Aspirants from all over India, willing to enrol in these academies appear in the examination every year. The UPSC NDA & NA examination 2020 is scheduled to be held on September 06, 2020. This year, a common exam is to be held on the said date for NDA (I) and (II) admission. The selection process of the NDA (I) & (II) examination is a complex and multi-stage process but similar. In this article, the selection process of the UPSC NDA & NA examination is presented in an easy to understand way. Read on to understand the UPSC NDA & NA 2020 selection process.

UPSC NDA & NA Selection Process

The NDA 2020 selection process is a rigorous and complex process. The UPSC notified the examination for the year 2020 through an official notification published on the website. Applicants are waiting for the release of e-admit cards for the standard written examination to be held in September. Read on to find out how qualifying candidates are selected for admission into these academies.

Understanding the NDA 2020 Selection Process

Check out the flow chart of the UPSC NDA & NA selection process below

NDA and NA Written Examination

• The first stage of selection of eligible candidates is the written examination conducted by the UPSC every year. NDA and NA aspirants can submit their applications as directed by the Commission before the last date.
• The candidates are issued admit cards to appear for the examination on the scheduled date.
• Candidates who secure the minimum cut off marks in the written examination qualify for the subsequent selection stages. The UPSC notifies the results of the written examination through the website.
• The final shortlist of candidates who qualify in the exam is published through the official website of the Commission.

The exam pattern of the written exam can be seen given below

• Language: The exam is conducted in English and Hindi language
• Exam mode: The exam is conducted offline.
• Sections: There are two subjects i.e. Maths and General Ability Test
• Maximum marks: The question paper is for an overall marks of 900.
• Negative marking: Candidates are liable to the deduction of 0.33 marks per incorrect answer.

Check out the detailed marks distribution below

NDA & NA Interview

Candidates who qualify in the written examination of the UPSC NDA and NA, are interviewed by the Services Selection Board. Qualifying candidates are required to log in to the website of their preferred defence wing to know the details of their centre and date of interview. Check out the websites below.

Candidates receive the call-up letters indicating the interview venue, date, and timings. The interview is to be held for candidates who qualify in the UPSC NDA & NA examinations 2020.

NDA & NA Interview Two Stage Selection Procedure

All candidates shortlisted for appearing in the Services Selection Board interview are required to undergo a two stage selection procedure. The two-stage process is based on the Psychological Aptitude Test and the Intelligence Test.

Intelligence and Personality Test

The purpose of the SSB interview is to assess the presence of qualities in the candidate that makes them suitable to be appointed as an officer in the wings of the Indian Defence Forces. It is a two-stage process.

The stage one of the SSB interview consists of the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). It is conducted on the first day of the SSB interview processes. Candidates must qualify in this first stage to be eligible for the second stage of the SSB interview process.

The Stage two of the SSB interview consists of the interview, the group testing officer tasks, psychology tests and a final conference. The duration of stage two of the SSB interview is usually 04 days.

UPSC NDA & NA Examination Final Selection

The candidates are assessed and recommended for admission into the different wings of the National Defence Academy and the Naval Academy based on their performance in the written examination and the SSB interview.

Candidates qualifying in the written test and the SSB interview are put together in a final combined merit list. The admission into the different wings of the Indian Defence Forces such as the Army, Navy, Air Force of the NDA and the 10 + 2 cadet entry scheme of the Naval Academy is based on the available number of vacancies. In 2020, the official notification has announced the presence of 418 vacancies in total.

NDA