How is Life After Clearing NDA?

NDA (National Defense Academy) is a major entrance examination for officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The NDA exam is conducted every year at the higher secondary level, in which young candidates between 16 and 19 years can participate. For NDA 2025, candidates are required to pass the written examination, after which the successful candidates will be selected for SSB (Service Selection Board) interview. In today’s article we will discuss in detail about How is Life After Clearing NDA?

How is Life After Clearing NDA

Life changes completely after clearing NDA. This world-class institute not only prepares you to become an excellent military officer, but also makes you mentally and physically strong to face the hardships of life. During the three-year intensive training, cadets are taught to develop strategic skills, leadership abilities and self-reliance, making them fully prepared to face any challenge. After NDA, the selected candidates are given special training of 12 to 18 months in IAF, IMA or INA according to their branch.

The three-year course at NDA is divided into six sessions, including spring and autumn sessions. After successfully completing the training, cadets are awarded a bachelor’s degree, and they get the pride of becoming a part of the Indian Armed Forces. Every stage in this journey, from the selection process to medical tests and physical-mental training, makes the candidate more disciplined and confident.

Training Module

The training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) is an intense and structured program that prepares cadets to become efficient and disciplined military officers. The training covers both indoor and outdoor aspects.

• Joint Training Team: The training program is conducted by a special Joint Training Team.
• Initial Orientation Capsule: This two-month orientation phase prepares the cadets for mental and physical challenges.
• Discipline: Discipline is considered the most important virtue at NDA.
• Academic Training: Special focus is given to the intellectual development of the cadets.
• Physical Training: The physical stamina of the cadets is strengthened through adventurous and challenging activities.
• Sixth Term: This final term focuses on service training, which prepares the cadets for their specialized roles.
• Graduation Degree: After three years of training, cadets are awarded a graduation degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Daily Routine

The daily routine of cadets at NDA is highly disciplined and time-bound, designed to make them physically and mentally strong.

• 4 AM: Scheduled time for cadets to wake up.
• Physical Training: The first two hours of the morning are devoted to physical training.
• Outdoor Training: After this, two hours are for outdoor training activities.
• Breakfast Time: Cadets are given one hour for breakfast.
• Academic Studies: Academic learning continues through classes until 2 PM.
• Lunch: 45 minutes are scheduled for lunch.
• Sports Time: From 3 PM to 6 PM, there is a session of sports activities, which promotes sportsmanship.
• Evening Study Session: From 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, a two-hour study session is held.
• Dinner: Half an hour is given for dinner.
• Night Sports Session: After the meal, the sports session resumes.
• Lights Off: At 10 PM, all lights are switched off, and cadets get time to relax.

Food and Accommodation

Cadets are allotted individual rooms at NDA, which provide them an atmosphere of comfort and concentration. The academy has state-of-the-art training facilities for all cadets of Army, Air Force, and Navy, which give them a better and comprehensive training experience. The mess serves a varied selection of Indian, Continental and Lebanese cuisine, prepared by dieticians on the basis of research, to ensure a balanced diet.

Squadrons

Cadets at NDA are assigned to one of the 18 squadrons namely Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hunter, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Panther, Quebec, and Romeo. Cadets are allotted to one of these squadrons on the very first day of their arrival at the academy, which is like a second home to them; the first home is always their motherland.

Various competitions are held among these squadrons throughout the year, through which the best squadron is selected. Life at NDA is challenging, but these challenges make cadets the best version of themselves. The prestige and courage of national service that one gets at NDA is unmatched.

The value of this tough training is the stars that adorn their shoulders after getting commissioned. There is a light at the end of every dark tunnel, and the NDA Passing Out Parade is the light every cadet looks for at the beginning of his journey.