What Happens After You Clear The NDA Written Exam

NDA Written Exam

Clearing the National Defence Academy (NDA) written exam is a significant milestone, but it is just the beginning of your journey toward becoming a part of the Indian Armed Forces. The next steps involve a series of rigorous evaluations, from the SSB interview to medical tests and finally joining the academy. Here’s a detailed look at what happens after you clear the NDA written examination:

1. SSB Interview Call Letter

Once you clear the NDA written exam, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) releases a list of qualified candidates. You will then receive an SSB interview call letter from the respective service—Army, Navy, or Air Force—depending on your preference filled during the application process. The SSB interview is the next crucial step and typically lasts five days.

2. Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview

The SSB interview is a comprehensive five-day selection process designed to assess a candidate’s personality, intelligence, and compatibility with the armed forces. The process includes:

• Day 1: Screening Test
  • Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR): Verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions.
  • Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT): Candidates narrate a story based on a given picture. You are advised to refer SSB OIR book and PP&DT Guide to succeed in screening test.
  • Successful candidates are shortlisted for further rounds.
• Days 2–4: Psychological, Group, and Personal Tests
  • Psychological Tests: Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self-Description Test (SDT).
  • Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks: Group discussions, group planning exercises, outdoor obstacle tasks, command tasks, and lecturettes.
  • Personal Interview: Conducted by senior officers to assess communication skills, general awareness, and suitability for the armed forces.
• Day 5: Conference
  • Final interaction with the SSB panel. The result of the interview is announced at the end of the day.

3. Medical Examination

Candidates recommended by the SSB undergo a rigorous medical examination at military hospitals. The aim is to ensure candidates meet the physical and medical standards required for the armed forces.

4. Merit List and Training

• After the medical examination, a final merit list is prepared based on the combined marks of the written exam and the SSB interview.
• Selected candidates join the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, Pune, or the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, depending on their preference and performance.

5. Training at NDA

• Candidates undergo three years of academic and military training at the NDA.
• On completion, they are awarded a bachelor’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Science, Arts, or Computer Science.
• Following this, cadets move to specialized academies:
  • Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun for the Army.
  • Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala for the Navy.
  • Air Force Academy (AFA), Hyderabad for the Air Force.

6. Commissioning

After completing training at their respective academies, candidates are commissioned as officers in the Indian Armed Forces, ready to serve the nation.

Clearing the NDA exam is just the beginning of an enriching journey of discipline, learning, and leadership in the armed forces.