National Defence Academy (India)
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The National Defence Academy of India located in Khadakwasla, Pune, is a joint services academy where cadets of the three wings Army, Navy and Air Force are trained together before they go for there pre-commission training to there respective academies.
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[edit] History
A committee headed by Field Marshal Sir Claude J Auchinlek, after extensive studying of various Military academies around the world, submitted its recommendations to the Government in December 1946. After independence of India in August 1947, this report was referred to the Chiefs of Staff Committee. Their suggestion for the formation of an interim Junior Inter Services Wing at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun was then implemented. A simultaneous action plan to commission a permanent war academy at Khadakwasla, Pune was also commenced and the foundation stone was laid by the first Prime Minister of India, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru on 06 October 1949.
On 01 January 1949, the Armed Forces Academy having its Military wing, now called the Indian Military Academy and the Joint Services Wing were commissioned. After two years of training at the JSW, Army cadets went on to the Military wing for a further two-year pre-commission training. The Naval and the Air force cadets were sent to Dartmouth and Cranwell in UK for advanced training. On 07 December 1954, the interim process crystallised with the commissioning of the National Defence Academy. Formal inauguration of the Academy took place on 16 January 1955.
[edit] Course
The NDA is the foundation for a career in the Indian military services. The three-year compulsory course includes all subjects for a University Degree and also basic training of fundamental military sciences and, in the final year, specialization into the specific branch of the Indian military services that a cadet desires to join.
On successful completion of the three-year course, the cadet passes out with a University Degree and goes on to the training establishments of the Service he has opted for. Army cadets go to the IMA at Dehra Dun, Air Force cadets to the ab-initio flying training establishments and the Naval cadets for Midshipman training to the Training Ships.
[edit] Admission
Admission to the NDA is conducted twice a year via an entrance examination, held every six months by the UPSC, and a multiple-round interview including physcological and group testing followed by a thorough medical examination. All applicants must be under the age of 19 and have passed the 12th Grade of schooling.
Only the citizens of India and Nepal may apply, but cadets from nations enjoying a special relationship with the Indian Government are also at times privileged to attend training courses through Government to Government agreements.
