No, you cannot join the National Defence Academy (NDA) immediately after completing 10th grade. The eligibility criteria for the NDA entrance exam, set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), require candidates to have completed their 12th class, or be in the process of completing it.
Eligibility Criteria for NDA Examination 2024
To be eligible for the NDA entrance exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between the ages of 16½ and 19½ years.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have appeared or passed 12th class under the 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried male and, since 2022, female candidates are eligible to apply.
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of India, or
- Must be a subject of Nepal, or
- Must be a person of Indian origin who has immigrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
These stringent eligibility criteria ensure that only the most qualified and prepared candidates are selected for the rigorous training at the NDA, which prepares them for leadership roles in the Indian Armed Forces.
For young students aspiring to join the NDA, it’s advisable to focus on excelling in their school studies, particularly in subjects like Mathematics and Science, and to maintain physical fitness. Planning ahead with these goals in mind will smoothen their path to applying for the NDA once they fulfill the educational qualifications.