Campus:
The NDA campus is located about 17 km south-west of Pune city, north-west of Khadakwasla Lake. It spans 7,015 acres (28.39 km2) of the 8,022 acres (32.46 km2) donated by the Government of the erstwhile Bombay State.The administrative headquarters of the NDA was named the Sudan Block, in honour of the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in the Sudan theatre during the East African Campaign. It was inaugurated by then Ambassador of Sudan to India, Rahmatullah Abdulla, on 30 May 1959. The building is a 3-storeyed basalt and granite structure constructed with Jodhpur red sandstone. It's architecture features an exterior design comprising a blend of arches, pillars and verandahs, topped by a dome.
Academics:
The NDA offers only a full-time, residential undergraduate program. Cadets are awarded a Baccalaureate degree (a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science) after 3 years of study. Cadets have a choice of two streams of study. The Science stream offers studies in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer Science. The Humanities (Liberal Arts) stream offers studies in History, Economics, Political Science, Geography and Languages.Training:
All cadets who successfully complete the program are hereby commissioned as Officers in the Armed Forces. Hence, military leadership and training is an essential part of the curriculum.Apart from academics, rigorous physical training is mandatory during all six semesters for cadets. Small Arms training is required. In addition, cadets opt for a range of outdoor activities including para gliding, rowing, sailing, fencing, horsemanship, martial arts, shooting, skiing, sky diving, rock climbing, etc.
Admission:
Applicants to the NDA are selected via a written exam conducted by the UPSC, followed by extensive interviews covering general aptitude, psychological testing, team skills as well as physical and social skills, along with medical tests. Incoming classes are accepted twice a year for semesters starting in July and January. About 100,000 applicants appear for each written exam. Typically, about 10,000 of these are invited to interview. Applicants to join the Air Force also go through a Pilot Aptitude Battery Test. About 300-350 cadets are accepted to the academy each semester. About 66 cadets are accepted for the Air Force, 39 for the Navy,195 for the Army and 35 for Naval Academy.Cadets who are accepted and successfully complete the program, are commissioned as officers in their respective Service. A cadet can only decline to accept the commission in case of a serious permanent medical condition caused during the program.Cadets who are expelled, resign or decline the commission may not be granted the degree and are required to reimburse the cost of education and training to the Ministry of Defence. This cost was estimated at INR 7075 per week in 2009.
