It is important to understand that armed forces provide multiple options for becoming an officer after the 12th.
NDA exam is popular to join defence services after Class 12. However, there are other exams, not as popular, for students who wants to join defence services such as Technical Entry Scheme (TES) by Indian Army and 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme by Indian Navy. In this article, you will know details.
- 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES)
- 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme
- 6 SSB attempts in a year
- Blend of academic plus personality profile
10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES)
If we talk about 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme (TES), this entry provides an opportunity to join Indian Army for technical roles in officer cadre. This is direct entry to join Indian Army as an officer, as there is no written exam. The call letter for SSB interview is issued directly to eligible candidates. Only unmarried male candidates who have passed 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with minimum aggregate of 60% can apply under Technical Entry Scheme. In addition to this, aspiring candidates must also have appeared in JEE (Mains) exam.
Commonly asked questions
The age limit is 16.5 to 19.5 years
Candidates who have passed Class 12 can apply
Yes, candidates need to secure 20 to 25 per cent in each subject of NDA exam. Besides, candidates need to secure the NDA cut off separately in the written exam and qualifying marks. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900, the GAT section carries 600 marks and Mathematics section carries 300 marks. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks.
Candidates can select one city for NDA exam while filling the application form. The preferences of exam cities are required to be entered in Part 2 of NDA application form. The exam centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis. Once the capacity of a particular centre is filled, the same is frozen. Therefore, to get the preferred exam centre, candidates need to apply early. The examination authority reserves the right to allot exam centres to candidates.
The number of candidates who apply and appear for NDA exam is given below:
| Exam Sessions | Number of Registered Candidates | Number of Appeared Candidates |
|---|---|---|
NDA/NA (I) & (II) Exam 2020 | 5,301,85 | 2,404,45 |
NDA/NA (I) Exam 2018 | 4,506,41 | 2,946,88 |
NDA/NA (II) Exam 2018 | 3,487,85 | 2,405,76 |
NDA/NA (I) Exam 2017 | 4,169,61 | 2,680,12 |
NDA/NA (II) Exam 2017 | 3,442,02 | 2,321,20 |
10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme
About 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme, this entry prepares you for an officer cadre role in Indian Navy. Selected candidates pursue a four-year B.Tech degree course at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala in Kerala. Candidates applying for this entry must have passed the 10+2 exam with at least 70% aggregate marks in PCM and at least 50% marks in English. Currently, only males can apply for TES entry, but in the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme by the Indian Navy, both unmarried male and female candidates can apply. Like TES, it is necessary to have appeared in the JEE (Mains) exam for this entry too, as the call letter for the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview is issued based on the All India Common Rank List (CRL) in the JEE (Main) exam.
6 SSB attempts in a year
Since the NDA exam is conducted twice a year, you have two opportunities annually to appear before the Services Selection Board for the SSB Interview. One can’t join the armed forces as an officer unless he or she gets a recommendation from the SSB. Now, why might a student preparing for the JEE also consider the armed forces? Because they have more opportunities through the 10+2 TES and 10+2 (B.Tech) entries. The notifications for these two entries are also released twice a year. So, you will have two SSB attempts under the NDA entry, two SSB attempts under the 10+2 TES, and two SSB attempts under the 10+2 (B.Tech) entry. Overall, you can get up to six SSB attempts in a year.
I have a student who qualified for the NDA written exam but was conferenced out in SSB. After that, he went for the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme and got selected through this entry. It is important to understand that the armed forces provide multiple options for becoming an officer after the 12th.
Commonly asked questions
NDA cut off is the minimum qualifying marks that candidates need to secure in the written exam and SSB interview. UPSC prescribes cut off marks for written exam and final selection. Candidates need to secure separate qualifying marks in written exam and SSB interview. Candidates securing the NDA cut off marks are called for subsequent rounds of selection process. NDA exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy course. NDA selection process comprises written exa and SSB interview. Candidates qualifying the written exam by securing the required cut off are called for the SSB interview. Candidates need to secure the cut off marks in the SSB interview also.
NDA cut off is released after the completion of the exam. The cut off is released separately for the written exam and final selection. There are also sectional cut off marks for the exam. Candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject of NDA exam. Based on the cut off marks of the written exam, candidates are selected for the SSB Interview. The final cut off is decided based on the written exam and SSB interview.
Women candidates can apply for Indian Naval Academy courses for NDA exam. In 2024, vacancies were released for women candidates for admission to Indian Naval Academy courses.
NDA select cadet based on service vacancy. It is according to the number of officers required at that time. But the academy accommodation also plays a role. The existing infrastructure at the academy can accommodate a certain number of cadets each term. If it is extended or the intake is greater than the capacity, the training standards will drop.
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Blend of academic plus personality profile
Let me share some data: around 20 lakh students take the JEE exam, while six lakh take the NDA exam. Many students are unaware of the NDA and only know about JEE and NEET. Students with a biology background often hesitate to consider the NDA, but I have seen many from a bio background qualify for the NDA if they prepare well. Those students who think that NEET is their only option should understand that the requirements of the Armed Forces are different. Here, it's not just about academics; we do not need you to be a topper in Physics, Maths, or Biology. The requirements include both your academic profile and personality profile. The Indian Armed Forces seek those individuals who are physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically balanced.
By-- Shishir Dixit, an Air Force veteran, Founder-Director and Chief SSB Mentor at Centurion Defence Academy
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, you can give the NDA exam as you have qualified the Class 12 exam. As per the age requirement candidates age should lie between 16.5 to 19.5 years to apply for the NDA exam. However, go through the eligibility criteria properly once before applying for the exam.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
A candidate who want to give the NDA 2 2026 exam, the required birth date range between January 2, 2008 and January 1, 2011.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 weeks ago
This is the right time to start the preparation for the NDA. First understand the NDA exam pattern and check the syllabus. Then, you should focus on NCERT, solve previous year question papers, read news paper daily, maintain a formula book and revise it, start some physical routine of few minutes on
G
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
To know the specific venue in Vijayawada, candidate need to check the admit card released by the UPSC. It has been allotted via first-come, first-served basis during the filling out of the application form.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
The NDA 2 2026 notification was released by the UPSC on May 20 at upsc.gov.in. Along with the notification, the application process started. The last date to apply is June 11, 2026.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The UPSC will conduct the NDA 2 exam on September 13, 2026. The official provisional answer key will be released on the official portal at upsc.gov.in. Candidates will be able to download the answer key PDF for all sets from this page as well.
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The NDA 2 admit card will be released a few days before the examination date at upsc.gov.in. Candidates will be able to download their e-hall ticket by visiting the official website or via direct link provided on this page once it is released. The NDA 2 exam is scheduled to be conducted on September
K
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The Commission released the NDA 2 notification 2026 on the official portal at upsc.gov.in on May 20, 2026. The last date to apply for NDA 2 is June 11, 2026.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
The Commission released the NDA 1 notification 2026 on December 10. Along with the notification, the application process was started. The last date to fill the application form online was December 30.
K
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 months ago
The Mathematics syllabus of NDA written exam consists of Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Statistics and Probability that is all base on 10+2 level.
G
Contributor-Level 7