NDA 2 Exam Pattern – National Defence Academy 2
The UPSC NDA (National Defence Academy) exam follows a specific pattern that consists of a written examination and an interview process. Here’s a detailed exam pattern for the NDA exam:
Written Examination
- Paper-I: Mathematics
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Maximum Marks: 300
- Questions: Objective-type multiple-choice questions
- Syllabus: Mathematics topics up to the 10+2 (12th) level, as described in the NDA syllabus.
- Paper-II: General Ability Test (GAT)
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Maximum Marks: 600
- Questions: Objective-type multiple-choice questions
- Divided into two parts:
- Part A – English: This section assesses the candidate’s proficiency in the English language.
- Part B – General Knowledge: This section evaluates the candidate’s knowledge in various subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies (History, Geography, Civics), and Current Events (National and International Importance).
Interview/Personality Test (SSB Interview)
Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which is conducted in two stages:
- Stage I – Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT):
- OIR Test: This includes reasoning and intelligence-related questions.
- PP&DT: Candidates are shown a picture and are required to write a story based on it.
- Stage II – Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference:
- Interview: Candidates are interviewed by SSB officials to assess their personality, communication skills, and suitability for the armed forces.
- Group Testing Officer Tasks: This includes group discussions, group planning exercises, and outdoor tasks.
- Psychology Tests: These include various psychological assessments to evaluate the candidate’s cognitive and behavioral traits.
- Conference: The final selection conference is held to decide the candidate’s suitability for commissioning.
Medical Examination
Candidates who clear the SSB interview undergo a medical examination to ensure they meet the prescribed medical standards. This examination is conducted by the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and includes a thorough physical examination and medical tests.
Final Selection
The final selection of candidates is based on their performance in the written examination, SSB interview, and medical examination. Successful candidates are then admitted to the NDA for training, and upon successful completion of the training program, they are commissioned as officers in their respective service branches.