All the cadets joining the NDA after their 10+2 Examination are trained in the Academy for three years culminating in graduation with BA/BSc or BCs (Computer Science) degree of Jawaharlal Nehru University. Apart from academic training they are also trained in outdoor skills, like Drill, PT and games; apart from one of the foreign languages up to the lower B1 level (according to the international standards). The emphasis in NDA is on character building, esprit-de-corps, mental and physical robustness, leadership and a sense of keen observation. Life in NDA is all about learning discipline and adhering self improvement.
NDA has an excellent infrastructure for all-round training of cadets and a vast array of facilities like spacious and well-maintained classrooms, well-equipped labs, two Olympic size swimming pools, a gymnasium, 32 football fields, 2 polo grounds, a cricket stadium and a number of squash and tennis courts. The academic year is divided into two terms, viz. Spring (Jan. to May) and Autumn (July to Dec.). A cadet must undergo training for a total of six terms before graduating from the NDA.
On reporting to the Academy, a cadet is allotted to one of the 18 Squadrons, which becomes his home-away-from-home for the next three years. The Squadrons are named as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hunter, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Panther, Quebec and Romeo. No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 Battalions have four squadrons each while No. 5 has 2 squadrons. Each squadron has approximately 100 to 120 cadets drawn from senior as well as junior courses under training in the Academy. In the recently concluded Autumn term – 14, November Squadron, who call themselves as "Ninjas" emerged as champion Squadron and won the coveted "Chiefs of Staff Banner" for the consecutive second time.
As the number of cadets joining the NDA is increasing annually, the Defence Ministry Of India had recently sanctioned the raising of 16th, 17th and 18th squadrons, with the initial letter of their names being "P", "Q" and "R" respectively. It is remarkable that the newly raised "Panther" squadron won the Academy cross-country run championship in its first participation in Spring 2012.[11][12]
A Squadron comprising a healthy and wide-ranging mixture of cadets from diverse backgrounds and varying abilities is a veritable melting pot, where the bonds of camaraderie are forged. The Squadron spirit is inculcated and nurtured throughout the cadet's stay. The prestigious Inter Squadron Championship Trophy awarded to the best Squadron epitomises the pinnacle of teamwork and team spirit. The champion squadron has the proud tradition of possession of the Champion banner for one term, which is carried during the parade and other sports meets. Each Squadron has its own nickname, an individual identity with a richly textured history and mascot. The rudimentary import of the NDA's motto "Service before Self" is first taught in the environs of the Squadron, where a cadet learns the importance of putting the Squadron's requirements well above his own.
Twelve Indian states donated approximately Rs. 5,00,000 each for the construction of the various Squadrons. The following Squadron buildings have been named after the donor states: 'A' – "Madras" & "Andhra Pradesh"; 'B' – "Madhya Pradesh"; 'C' – "Maharashtra"; 'D' – "Bihar"; 'E' – "Uttar Pradesh"; 'F' – "Orissa"; 'G' – "Gujarat"; 'H' – "Karnataka"; 'I' – "Punjab"; 'J' – "West Bengal"; 'K' – "Assam"; 'L' – "Mumbai"
Cadet are imparted a blend of outdoor and indoor training. Outdoor training is carried out in the h illy and wooded terrain in and around the NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY campus. Indoor training includes theoretical and practical simulated training. Cadets are taught subjects such as Tactical Training, Weapon Training, Map Reading, Military Writing, Field Engineering, Organisation and Administration and Radio Telephony. A five-day camp is an additional feature of the training. Training visits to operational military establishments and bases are also incorporated to enhance the practical content of the training.
During his stay at the NDA, an Army cadet is taught judging distances, terrain study, indication and recognition of targets, camouflage and concealment, trench digging, observation by day and night, stalking, organisation of an Infantry section, section formations, field signals, fire control orders, section in attack, defence and patrolling. They are also taught handling of firearms, marksmanship and night firing. In addition, aspects of NBC Warfare and CI ops are also taught to the cadets.
An Inter Squadron Bayonet fighting competition is held to inculcate a spirit of aggression and martial hue as also to teach the nuances of hand-to-hand combat. An Inter Squadron Firing Competition is also conducted to enhance levels of marksmanship and night firing skills.
Camp Greenhorn is conducted to introduce a second term cadet to the basic battle subjects such as map reading, tent pitching, fitting of web equipment, navigation, endurance training, compass reading and development of leadership qualities.
Camp Rover is conducted to introduce a fourth term cadet to the basic battle subjects such as map reading, Tent Pitching, fitting of web equipment, navigation, endurance training, compass reading and development of leadership qualities.
In the sixth term Camp Torna is conducted, where practical aspects are reinforced in simulated field conditions. The cadets are provided with opportunities to demonstrate leadership qualities in various tactical situations. The training is geared to prepare a cadet to lead an infantry section effectively. Other aspects covered during the camp include map-reading and navigation by day and night, quick attack at section level, patrolling, ambush, endurance training, and occupation of a Section Defended Post and conduct of a defensive battle at section level by night.
The Naval Training Team is the oldest of the Training Teams at the NDA. The main task of the Naval Training Team is to trained V and VI term naval cadets on Specialist Service Subjects both theoretical and practical. Naval cadets on completion of their 3 years of training go to Indian Naval Academy (INA) as their finishing academy for 1 year, where they commence their M.Sc degree along with cadets of INA who will be doing B.Tech.
Syllabus : The major emphasis is laid on Navigation, Seamanship and Communication. A total of 328 theoretical classes which are currently under revision are conducted for VI term naval cadets. The % wise distribution of periods of service subjects as follows: -
Training Theoretical Instructions : Theoretical instructions are imparted in the class room at NTT and Peacock Bay by using modern teaching methodology where-in 3D models, CAI and CBT packages, scaled down models are used.
Practical instructions :Practical instructions are imparted in the Watermanship training Centre at Peacock bay during regular periods and during club days.
In addition to class room instructions at NTT, practical classes on Seamanship are conducted at Peacock Bay while Communication practicals are conducted at NTT both in the morning as well as in the evenings on all service days.
Visits : In order to orient the cadets to the navy, an orientation visit to Mumbai is conducted prior to the commencement of service training; during which the cadets visit various class of ships, submarines, shop floors, repair facilities etc. As part of the visit the naval cadets are sent to NBCD School to acquaint with fire fighting, damage control aspects. Further, to inculcate competitive sprit and adventurism amongst the cadets, VI term naval cadets are sent to Naval Academy, Ezhimala to take part in Open Sea Whaler Sailing Expedition and interact with their counterparts at the INA.
Camps : Camp Varuna I during the middle of the term to get a first hand experience onboard during sailing and Camp Varuna II at the end of the term to put the theoretical knowledge acquired at NTT into practical use during the three days sailing.
Watermanship Training : NTT has been holding a huge repository of Watermanship equipment at Watermanship Training Centre, Peacock Bay located on the waterfront of Khadakwasla lake. Watermanship clubs functional varieties at Watermanship Training Centre, Peacock Bay are as follows: Yachting Kayaking Windsurfing Rowing Water-skiing Ship Modeling
The Air Force Training Team (AFTT) aims at training Air Force cadets in the basics of military aviation through ground training and flying training. Ground training is conducted with the help of modern training aids, aircraft models, and cross-sectional models of aero-engines and instruments, Radio Telephony simulators and Flight simulators. Flying training consists of a minimum of eight sorties on the Super Dimona aircraft. Cadets also get an exposure to deflection firing through Skeet shooting. Visits to key Air Force training establishments, Air Force Stations and civil aviation centers are also undertaken to give cadets first - hand experience of aviation activities. Flying training at the AFTT is fully backed by an Automatic Weather Station, Air Traffic Control Station, a paved runway and a dispersal for six aircraft.
The AFTT was formed towards the end of 1956. The aim of the AFTT is to introduce the VI Term cadets to gliding and allied professional subjects, which in turn prepares them for their professional training in the Air Force flying establishments. Over the last 60 years, the gliding training has evolved into flying training. Five different classes of gliders were acquired by the Academy since 1957. They are Sedberg T-21B, Baby Eon, Eon Olympics, Rohini and Ardhra gliders. All these gliders with the exception of the Baby Eon and Eon Olympics were utilised in the flying training of the cadets. The Sedberg T-21B was the mainstay of the AFTT in glider flying. Cadets were split into batches of 8 and allotted to an instructor. Each cadet was permitted a total of 60 training launches, after which 2-3 mandatory Solo Check launches were flown with the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI). Cadets cleared for solo flying flew one solo trip on the glider and were then formally awarded their 'Wings', exactly half the size of the official Indian Air Force wings, which were worn above the left shirt pocket of their formal uniforms. Sandbags were used as ballast in place of the absent instructor. The light T-21Bs were usually winched up to 1,000', and were very easy to handle. The Rohini was much heavier and could only be winched up to 800', shortening average flight time to 4 min from 6 minutes earlier.
Instructors who felt that their pupil cadets had reached solo check status ahead of time could have such pupils fly with the CFI without prejudice to further flying training. Second and third solo sorties were also permitted. The cadet who went solo with the lowest number of launches was usually awarded the Best In Gliding Trophy on the Guest Dining-in Night, one night prior to the Passing Out Parade. The Air Force cadet who stood first in Ground Subjects was awarded the Sqn Ldr Vasudev Memorial Book Prize that same night.
The Baby Eons and Eon Olympics were flown about once a fortnight by Instructor Pilots on Sundays, to keep them flyworthy. These were acquired German-design gliders from the pre-independence (1947) era and were showing their age, particularly the 1931-design Schneider Grunau Baby, rebuilt in the UK as the Baby Eon and the Hans Jacobs 1940-designed Olympia, produced in England from 1947 by Elliotts of Newbury. Both had plywood skins.
The induction of Super Dimona, a lightweight fixed wing powered aircraft in 2001, is a watershed in the history of AFTT and introduced a quantum jump in the quality of training. In addition to flying eight sorties on Super Dimona, a cadet is taught subjects like aerodynamics, navigation, aero engines, instrumentation, aviation medicine, airmanship, airframes, avionics & radio aids, meteorology, GSK and air power.
Visits to Air Force Academy, Air Wing at Indian Armament Technology, Air Base at Pune and College of Military Engineering are organised to enable the Air Force cadets to appreciate the Air Force aspects.
A gliderdrome having a 950 m (3,120 ft) long runway is maintained within the premises of the NDA by the AFTT. The Air Force cadets of the academy learn the basics of gliding and powered flight at this facility on the Diamond HK36 Super Dimona gliders.
On reporting to the Academy, a cadet is allotted to one of the 18 Squadrons, which becomes his home-away-from-home for the next three years. The Squadrons are named as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hunter, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Panther, Quebec and Romeo. No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 Battalions have four squadrons each while No. 5 has 2 squadrons. Each squadron has approximately 100 to 120 cadets drawn from senior as well as junior courses under training in the Academy. In the recently concluded Autumn term – 14, November Squadron, who call themselves as "Ninjas" emerged as champion Squadron and won the coveted "Chiefs of Staff Banner" for the consecutive second time.
As the number of cadets joining the NDA is increasing annually, the Defence Ministry Of India had recently sanctioned the raising of 16th, 17th and 18th squadrons, with the initial letter of their names being "P", "Q" and "R" respectively. It is remarkable that the newly raised "Panther" squadron won the Academy cross-country run championship in its first participation in Spring 2012.
A Squadron comprising a healthy and wide-ranging mixture of cadets from diverse backgrounds and varying abilities is a veritable melting pot, where the bonds of camaraderie are forged. The Squadron spirit is inculcated and nurtured throughout the cadet's stay. The prestigious Inter Squadron Championship Trophy awarded to the best Squadron epitomises the pinnacle of teamwork and team spirit.
The champion squadron has the proud tradition of possession of the Champion banner for one term, which is carried during the parade and other sports meets. Each Squadron has its own nickname, an individual identity with a richly textured history and mascot. The rudimentary import of the NDA's motto "Service before Self" is first taught in the environs of the Squadron, where a cadet learns the importance of putting the Squadron's requirements well above his own.
Twelve Indian states donated approximately Rs. 5,00,000 each for the construction of the various Squadrons. The following Squadron buildings have been named after the donor states:
'A' – "Madras" & "Andhra Pradesh";
'B' – "Madhya Pradesh";
'C' – "Maharashtra";
'D' – "Bihar";
'E' – "Uttar Pradesh";
'F' – "Orissa";
'G' – "Gujarat";
'H' – "Karnataka";
'I' – "Punjab";
'J' – "West Bengal";
'K' – "Assam";
'L' – "Mumbai"
NDA Navy, Airforce & Army Officer Salary Scale
Rank |
Pay Bands/Scale |
Lieutenant |
PB-3/15600-39100 |
Captain |
PB-3/15600-39100 |
Major |
PB-3/15600-39100 |
LT Colonel |
PB-4/37400-67000 |
Colonel |
PB-4/37400-67000 |
Brigadier |
PB-4/37400-67000 |
Major General |
PB-4/37400-67000 |
Qualification, as you all know, is the degree of your education. In NDA, there is a criterion that if you hold a prescribed qualification as specified by the NDA, then you will be granted extra pay and grant. The UPSC NDA Qualification grant amounts to INR 6000/-, 9000/-, 15000/- or 20,000/- and this amount is applied to given to the officers according to their qualification value.
In addition to the basic salary, grade pay, the officers of NDA are entitled to receive extra facilities also. They include perks and allowances. These are dearness allowances, transport allowance, uniform allowance, field allowance etc. in this section we will read about each allowance and perk in detail.