Defence Exams
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Defence exams
About Defence exams
Defence exams are the entry points into the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force — as commissioned officers through NDA, CDS and AFCAT, or as soldiers, sailors and airmen through the Agnipath (Agniveer) scheme.
Eligibility
Which Defence exams can you apply for?
Find your qualification — you can apply to every exam in your column and the ones before it.
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Other
How it works
The Defence selection process
Written exam
UPSC conducts NDA and CDS; the Air Force runs AFCAT online. Agniveer candidates take an online Common Entrance Exam.
SSB interview (officers)
A five-day assessment: screening (intelligence test, picture perception and discussion), psychological tests, group tasks and a personal interview.
Medical examination
A detailed medical at a military hospital. Eyesight, height-weight and general fitness standards differ by service and branch.
Merit list
Written and SSB marks are added to form the final merit list (for NDA and CDS). Joining depends on rank and vacancies.
Training
Selected candidates join NDA Khadakwasla, IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad or OTA Chennai, depending on the entry.
FAQs
Defence exams: frequently asked questions
How many times a year are NDA and CDS conducted?
Twice a year each, by UPSC — typically in April and September.
What is the SSB interview?
A five-day selection process run by the services that tests intelligence, psychology, group behaviour and personality through tests, group tasks and a personal interview.
Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes. Women have been eligible to apply for NDA since 2021.
Is there negative marking in NDA and CDS?
Yes — one-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every wrong answer.
What is the age limit for NDA?
Candidates must typically be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old on the date specified in the notification, and unmarried.
The complete Defence exam guide
Exam patterns, marks, syllabus topics and preparation tips — all in one place.
