National Defence Academy of India


The National Defence Academy of India is the premier national institute of military sciences, and fundamental training college for all prospective officers of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.


Location

The Academy is located in Khadakwasla, 10 kilometers from the city of Pune, in the western state of Maharashtra. It is a very scenic place, surrounded by mountains. Sinhagad Fort is not too far away.


History

The National Defence Academy is the first Joint-Services Academy in the world where future officers of all three wings of the Defence Forces of India are trained together. The idea of Inter-Services co-operation thus gets ingrained from the first day of training.

The Second World War showed the importance of Inter-Services co-operation and thus an Joint-Services Wing JSW was started at the Indian Military Academy at Dehra Dun. This was the first step to the setting up of this unique training institution.


Course

The NDA is the foundation for a career in the Indian military services. The three-year compulsory course includes all subjects for a University Degree and also basic training of fundamental military sciences and, in the final year, specialization into the specific branch of the Indian military services that a cadet desires to join.


On successful completion of the three-year course, the cadet passes out with a University Degree and goes on to the training establishments of the Service he has opted for. Army cadets go to the IMA at Dehra Dun, Air Force cadets to the ab-initio flying training establishments and the Naval cadets for Midshipman training to the Training Ships.


Admission

Admission to the NDA is conducted twice a year via an entrance examination, held every six months by the UPSC, and a multiple-round physical and medical examination. All applicants must be under the age of 19 and have passed the 12th Grade of schooling.

Only the citizens of India and Nepal may apply, but cadets from nations enjoying a special relationship with the Indian Government are also at times privileged to attend training courses through Government to Government agreements.