FAQs — NDA, CDS, AFCAT & SSB

The NDA — National Defence Academy — is the exam that lets a 17- or 18-year-old join the Indian Armed Forces as an officer straight after Class 12. The exam is conducted twice a year by the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). Successful candidates train for three years at the NDA in Khadakwasla, Pune, and then go on to one more year of pre-commission training at IMA, INA or AFA — and graduate as Lieutenants, Sub-Lieutenants or Flying Officers.

It is the youngest entry point into the officer cadre — and the most prestigious.

Eligibility is strict and worth checking carefully:

• Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years on the first day of the course month (roughly).
• Marital status: Unmarried only.
• Gender: Both male and female candidates can apply (women have been eligible since NDA-2 2021 after the Supreme Court order).
• Education for Army wing: Class 12 pass (any stream — Arts/Commerce/Science).
• Education for Navy and Air Force wings: Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
• Nationality: Indian citizen.

Candidates can apply while still appearing for Class 12 (final result must be available before SSB).

There is no fixed cap on the number of NDA attempts. The only constraint is the age window — 16.5 to 19.5 years. Practically, that means most candidates get 4 to 5 attempts (NDA is held twice a year — typically April and September).

Class 11 students can begin attempting from the year they turn 16.5, which is why early preparation pays off.

The written exam has two papers held on the same day:

• Paper I — Mathematics: 300 marks, 120 questions, 2.5 hours.
• Paper II — General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks, 150 questions, 2.5 hours. GAT is split into English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks — Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Current Affairs etc.).

Marking: +2.5 for a correct answer in Maths, +4 in GAT. Negative marking is 1/3rd of the marks for each wrong answer (i.e. −0.83 in Maths, −1.33 in GAT). Unattempted questions carry no penalty.

Total written = 900 marks. SSB Interview = 900 marks. Final selection is based on combined total of 1800.

Mathematics covers the Class 11–12 NCERT scope: algebra, matrices and determinants, trigonometry, analytical geometry (2D and 3D), differential and integral calculus, vector algebra, statistics, probability.

GAT — English: grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, antonyms, synonyms, sentence improvement.

GAT — GK: Physics (mechanics, electricity, optics, modern physics), Chemistry (basic concepts, periodic table, bonding, organic), General Science, History (ancient, medieval, modern, freedom struggle), Geography (Indian and physical geography), Polity, Economy and Current Affairs.

NDA cut-offs vary every cycle but as a rough benchmark:

• Written cut-off: typically between 340 and 400 (out of 900).
• Final cut-off (Written + SSB): typically between 700 and 760 (out of 1800).

You must clear individual cut-offs at each stage — there is no aggregate compensation. The SSB recommendation alone is the gateway to the final merit list.

NDA is a different beast — not necessarily "tougher" than JEE/NEET in raw academic difficulty, but harder in shape. The Maths paper sits below JEE Mains in difficulty but above board level. The GK section is enormous — it spans 9-10 subjects and rewards consistent reading more than last-minute cramming.

The real differentiator is the SSB Interview: a 5-day psychological and personality assessment that JEE/NEET don't have. Many academically strong candidates don't convert because SSB tests something different — officer-like qualities, leadership and group behaviour. It is best prepared for separately.

SSB (Services Selection Board) is the personality and leadership assessment held over 5 days at boards like Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore and Coimbatore. It tests qualities the written exam can't — initiative, social intelligence, decision-making under pressure, physical stamina and integrity.

Day 1 is the screening test (OIR + PPDT). Days 2-3 are psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD). Days 3-4 are GTO (group discussion, military planning, outdoor obstacle tasks like PGT/HGT/Snake Race/Command Task). Day 4 is the personal interview. Day 5 is the conference where the final "recommended" or "not recommended" verdict is announced.

See our dedicated SSB Coaching page for a full breakdown.

Once recommended at SSB, you go through a Special Medical Board (SMB) at a designated military hospital — typically lasting 3–5 days. The medical standards are exhaustive: vision, BMI, hearing, dental, blood, urine, X-ray, ECG, ENT, gynaecological (for female candidates) and a general physical exam.

Common rejection reasons: refractive error beyond limits, knock-knees, flat feet, varicocele, colour blindness, BMI outside 18.5–25, deviated nasal septum, inadequate chest expansion. If declared unfit, candidates can apply for Appeal Medical Board (AMB) within 42 days, and after that a Review Medical Board (RMB).

NDA training is 3 years at Khadakwasla, Pune — a tri-service academy where Army, Navy and Air Force cadets train together for the first time in a candidate's career. Training is split into 6 terms (each 6 months) covering academics, drill, PT, weapons training, swimming, riding, sports, leadership camps and outdoor activities.

On graduation, cadets earn a B.Sc / B.Sc (Computer Science) / BA degree from JNU. Then comes 1 more year of pre-commission training: IMA Dehradun (Army), INA Ezhimala (Navy) or AFA Hyderabad (Air Force).

Total commitment: 4 years from joining NDA to getting commissioned as an officer.

You commission as a Lieutenant (Army), Sub-Lieutenant (Navy) or Flying Officer (Air Force) on Pay Level 10 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. Starting in-hand pay is roughly ₹85,000–₹90,000 per month after deductions, plus Military Service Pay (MSP) of ₹15,500 and various allowances (Field Area, Siachen, High Altitude, Submarine, Flying — depending on posting).

You also get free accommodation, free medical for self and family, subsidised mess, CSD canteen, military hospitals for life, ECHS post-retirement, generous leave (60 days annual + 20 days casual), early retirement pension, and the social standing that comes with a King's Commission.

Both routes work — but the question is one of efficiency. The Maths and English of NDA are doable from books and YouTube. The challenge is twofold:

• GAT GK: the syllabus is so wide that without a structured plan, students drift. A coaching schedule fixes this.
• SSB Interview: almost impossible to prepare alone — it's a behavioural test that needs a peer group, mock GTOs, mock interviews, and feedback from former assessing officers. This is where coaching gives the biggest leverage.

If you have strong self-discipline, books + a few mock SSBs may be enough. For most candidates, structured coaching from Class 11 onwards converts faster.

NDA is held twice a year:

• NDA-1: notification in December, exam in April, training joining in January next year.
• NDA-2: notification in May, exam in September, training joining in July next year.

SSB is typically held 4–6 months after the written result. From written exam to commissioning, the journey takes around 5 years — so a Class 12 student writing NDA-1 commissions at roughly 22.

Our NDA Foundation programme is designed for students who've just finished Class 10 and want a 2-year glide path to NDA-1 in the year they finish Class 12. It runs alongside Class 11 and 12 board prep, covering full NDA Maths and GAT syllabus, weekly tests, fortnightly mock SSBs, monthly PT/drill sessions and personality grooming.

62% of our last batch was selected for NDA. Faculty are former officers, not ex-coaching teachers — which makes a measurable difference at the SSB stage.

CDS — Combined Defence Services — is a UPSC exam for graduates who want to join the Armed Forces as officers through one of four academies: IMA Dehradun, INA Ezhimala, AFA Hyderabad, or OTA Chennai. Held twice a year (typically April and September). The training duration varies by academy: 18 months at IMA/INA/AFA, 49 weeks at OTA.

Eligibility differs by academy:

• IMA (Permanent Commission, Army): Graduate, unmarried male, age 19–24.
• INA (Permanent Commission, Navy): Engineering graduate, unmarried male, age 19–24.
• AFA (Permanent Commission, Air Force): Graduate with Physics & Maths in Class 12, OR engineering graduate; unmarried male, age 19–24.
• OTA (Short Service Commission, Army): Graduate of any stream, male or female (women may be married/unmarried; men unmarried), age 19–25.

Final-year students can apply provisionally — degree must be in hand before joining training.

For IMA/INA/AFA candidates, three papers — each 100 marks, 2 hours: English, General Knowledge, Mathematics.

For OTA-only candidates, two papers — English and General Knowledge (no Mathematics).

All questions are objective. Negative marking: 1/3rd of allotted marks for each wrong answer.

Maximum marks: 300 (IMA/INA/AFA) or 200 (OTA-only). SSB Interview is also 300 (or 200). Final selection on the combined total.

Counterintuitively — no, CDS Maths is easier. CDS Maths is roughly Class 10 NCERT level (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, mensuration), while NDA Maths goes up to Class 12 (calculus, matrices, vectors, 3D geometry).

However, CDS Maths is speed-heavy — 100 questions in 120 minutes. So while concepts are easier, time management is unforgiving. CDS English and GK are roughly comparable in difficulty to NDA.

English: grammar, vocabulary, sentence improvement, reading comprehension, antonyms/synonyms, ordering of words.

General Knowledge: History (ancient to modern), Geography (Indian + physical), Polity, Economy, General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Defence and Current Affairs.

Mathematics (IMA/INA/AFA only): arithmetic, mensuration, algebra (basic), trigonometry, geometry, statistics. NCERT Class 9–10 base.

CDS cut-offs vary by academy. Indicative ranges:

• IMA written cut-off: ~110–140 (out of 300)
• INA: ~95–115
• AFA: ~135–155
• OTA written: ~80–110 (out of 200)

Final cut-offs (after SSB) are usually 250–320 for IMA/INA/AFA and 160–210 for OTA.

AFA has historically been the toughest cut-off; OTA is the most accessible.

Permanent Commission (PC): a career till retirement age (60 for officers). Available through IMA, INA and AFA. Brings full pension, maximum job security, and progression to senior ranks.

Short Service Commission (SSC): initial 10 years, extendable to 14. Available through OTA. After SSC, officers can opt to be released or apply for PC. SSC is the only route currently open for women through CDS.

SSC officers receive the same pay, allowances, status and respect during their service as PC officers — the difference is only in tenure and pension.

Yes. Women can apply only for OTA (Short Service Commission) through CDS. They cannot apply for IMA/INA/AFA through CDS — for which only male candidates are eligible.

Women officers commissioned through OTA serve in roles such as logistics, intelligence, signals, education, ASC, AOC and other arms. Permanent Commission for women has been allowed in recent years through separate channels but not currently through CDS.

There is no fixed numerical cap on CDS attempts. The constraint is the age window:

• IMA/INA/AFA: 19–24 — usually 4–5 attempts.
• OTA: 19–25 — usually 5–6 attempts.

Each cycle is held twice a year, so 4–6 calendar years yields several windows.

The structure and tasks are identical — same 5-day pattern, same screening, psych tests, GTO and personal interview. The difference is in the maturity expected from candidates. NDA candidates are 17–19 year olds; CDS candidates are 22–25 year olds with degrees and sometimes work experience. Assessors expect more articulate communication, clearer life-goals, and demonstrated leadership in college life or jobs.

Selection rates at CDS-stage SSBs tend to be slightly higher than NDA SSBs — partly because the candidate pool is older and better-prepared.

None at the rank level. All four commission you as a Lieutenant / Sub-Lieutenant / Flying Officer on identical Pay Level 10. The difference comes from service-specific allowances: Submarine pay (Navy), Flying pay (Air Force), Counter-Insurgency pay (Army), Field Area allowance, etc.

OTA-commissioned SSC officers earn the same as their PC peers during their service. The only meaningful financial difference is pension — PC officers earn full pension, SSC officers do not (though they receive a lump-sum gratuity on release).

• IMA Dehradun: 18 months (1.5 years)
• INA Ezhimala: 18 months
• AFA Hyderabad: 18 months pre-flying + actual flying training
• OTA Chennai/Gaya: 49 weeks (~11 months)

Training stipend is around ₹56,100 per month. On commissioning, full Pay Level 10 begins.

Our CDS programme is structured around the typical graduate's schedule — flexible classes (morning, evening, weekend batches), English and GK intensives, separate Maths track for IMA/INA/AFA aspirants, and integrated SSB preparation.

Our edge: many candidates are working professionals or final-year students juggling other commitments. We compress the academic syllabus into 4–5 months and run mock SSBs every fortnight. Faculty are former officers and PG-level subject experts.

If you're in Class 11 or 12 and within NDA age, yes — overlap is huge. The English and GK syllabi are 80% common. NDA Maths covers everything CDS Maths needs and more. So preparing for NDA covers CDS automatically.

If you're a graduate, CDS and AFCAT have ~70% syllabus overlap, so target both — and add CAPF if you're in age bracket. The SSB stage is identical, so a single SSB prep covers all.

AFCAT — Air Force Common Admission Test — is the IAF's direct entry exam for graduates who want to join as officers in the Indian Air Force. Held twice a year (Feb and Aug) by the IAF itself (not UPSC).

It opens recruitment for Flying Branch (pilot), Ground Duty Technical (engineering), and Ground Duty Non-Technical (admin, logistics, accounts, education, met, weapon systems).

Differs by branch:

• Flying Branch: Graduate (any stream) with Physics & Maths in Class 12 OR engineering graduate. Age 20–24. Both men and women eligible.
• Ground Duty Technical (AE-L & AE-M): Engineering graduate in relevant stream. Age 20–26.
• Ground Duty Non-Technical (Admin, Lgs, Accts, Edn, Met, Weapon Systems): Graduate (specific subjects for specific branches). Age 20–26.

All entries are SSC (Short Service Commission) — initial 10 years, extendable to 14.

Single online paper of 2 hours, 100 questions, 300 marks total. +3 for correct, −1 for wrong, 0 for unattempted.

Sections: General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude. Each section roughly 25 questions.

Candidates applying for Ground Duty Technical also write an additional EKT (Engineering Knowledge Test) — 50 questions, 150 marks, 45 minutes, in the relevant engineering branch.

General Awareness: History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Current Affairs, Sports, Defence, Awards.

Verbal Ability: grammar, comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, sentence completion.

Numerical Ability: Class 10 level — percentages, ratio, time-work, profit-loss, simple/compound interest, averages.

Reasoning & Military Aptitude: verbal and non-verbal reasoning, spatial ability, military-context questions.

EKT (technical only): branch-specific engineering subjects (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer Science, Civil etc.).

AFCAT cut-off is usually around 150–170 (out of 300). After clearing AFCAT, candidates are called for AFSB (Air Force Selection Board), and final selection is based on AFSB performance + medical fitness — not on AFCAT marks beyond the cut-off.

This is a key difference from NDA/CDS: in AFCAT, written marks don't carry into the final merit. Once you clear the cut-off, AFSB is everything.

AFSB (Air Force Selection Board) follows the same 5-day SSB structure but with additional aviation-specific tests for Flying Branch:

• CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System): a 2-hour test on a flight-simulator cockpit measuring hand-eye coordination, multitasking, situational awareness and instrument-reading. Mandatory for Flying Branch.
• PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test): the older system, still occasionally used.

For Ground Duty branches, the SSB is structurally identical to Army/Navy SSBs.

Yes. Women have been eligible for the Flying Branch since 2016, including fighter aircraft. Women officers in IAF currently fly Su-30 MKI, Rafale, Tejas, Mirage 2000, MiG-21 and transport aircraft.

Women can apply for all branches through AFCAT — Flying, Ground Technical and Ground Non-Technical — under SSC.

The written exam is significantly easier than NDA and roughly comparable to or slightly easier than CDS. The Maths is Class 10 level. The English and reasoning are doable with steady practice.

The hard part is AFSB. The IAF runs one of the most stringent selection boards — selection rates are typically 5–8% per board. CPSS is a hard cap; if you fail it, you cannot reattempt for Flying Branch ever (it's a one-time test for life).

Training at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, lasts ~74 weeks (about 18 months) for Flying Branch. It covers academics, drill, PT, weapons, and from week 30 onwards — actual flying training on Pilatus PC-7 Mk II (Stage I), then Kiran or Hawk (Stage II), and finally type-conversion.

Ground Duty officers train for shorter durations — about 52 weeks for Technical and about 52 weeks for Non-Technical.

On graduation, all are commissioned as Flying Officers on Pay Level 10.

Starting in-hand pay as a Flying Officer is roughly ₹85,000–₹95,000 per month after deductions, plus MSP of ₹15,500. Flying Branch officers also earn Flying Pay of ₹25,000/month. Postings are at Air Force stations across India — Hindon, Bangalore, Pune, Tezpur, Jamnagar, Sulur and many more.

Lifestyle benefits: free accommodation in Air Force stations (often considered the best housing in defence), full medical, CSD, subsidised flying clubs, generous leave, early pension on PC, and ECHS for life.

Yes — for Flying Branch only. CPSS (or PABT, the predecessor) is a one-time test for life. If you fail it, you can never reattempt for any Flying Branch entry through any exam (NDA Air Force, CDS AFA, AFCAT Flying or NCC Special Entry).

However, you can still attempt other branches — Ground Duty Technical and Non-Technical do not require CPSS. You can also pursue Army, Navy, OTA or CAPF.

No fixed cap on attempts — bound only by age limits (24 for Flying, 26 for Ground branches). AFCAT runs twice a year, so most candidates get 4–8 attempts in their eligible window.

However, AFSB attempts are capped: if you've already attempted AFSB (at any AFSB centre, for any IAF entry), you cannot reapply through AFCAT for the same branch. You can still try Army or Navy entries.

Yes — and it's the smart approach. AFCAT's English, GK and reasoning have ~70% overlap with CDS. The Maths in AFCAT is easier than CDS. So a CDS-prep candidate is automatically AFCAT-ready with 2–3 weeks of focused practice on AFCAT's reasoning section and aviation/military aptitude questions.

For NDA candidates, the overlap is also high — NDA prep covers AFCAT comfortably. The only added preparation is for the AFSB and (for Flying aspirants) basic CPSS familiarisation.

Our AFCAT programme is a focused 3-month track: full syllabus coverage, weekly sectional tests, monthly full-length mocks (calibrated to actual cut-offs), CPSS familiarisation sessions for Flying aspirants, and integrated AFSB preparation with mock CPSS, mock interviews and GTO sessions.

Faculty include former IAF officers — a measurable advantage at AFSB where the panel is composed of serving and retired IAF officers.

SSB — Services Selection Board — is the Indian Armed Forces' 5-day personality and leadership assessment. Every candidate who clears the written exam (NDA, CDS, AFCAT, TES, NCC Special, TGC etc.) must clear SSB before commissioning.

Unlike a job interview, SSB tests 15 Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs): effective intelligence, reasoning ability, organising ability, power of expression, social adaptability, cooperation, sense of responsibility, initiative, self-confidence, speed of decision, ability to influence the group, liveliness, determination, courage, and stamina.

It is conducted at SSB centres across India — Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore (Air Force), Coimbatore, Mysore, Visakhapatnam (Navy), Kapurthala, Gandhinagar.

Day 1 — Screening: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR — verbal & non-verbal reasoning) + Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT — write a story on a hazy picture, then narrate and discuss in a group). Roughly 60% of candidates are screened out at end of Day 1.

Day 2 — Psychological Tests: TAT (Thematic Apperception Test — stories on 12 pictures), WAT (Word Association Test — 60 words, 15 sec each), SRT (Situation Reaction Test — 60 situations in 30 min), Self-Description (5 perspectives — parents, friends, teachers, self, ideal).

Day 3–4 — GTO Tasks: Group Discussion, Group Planning Exercise, Progressive Group Task, Half Group Task, Individual Obstacles, Command Task, Snake Race, Lecturette, Final Group Task.

Day 4 — Personal Interview: 30–60 minutes one-on-one with the Interviewing Officer.

Day 5 — Conference: All assessors discuss; final result announced same evening — Recommended or Not Recommended.

OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) is a written test of about 80–100 questions in 30–35 minutes — verbal reasoning (analogies, coding, series, logic) and non-verbal reasoning (figure series, mirror images, pattern matrices). It measures basic intelligence and quick thinking.

OIR alone doesn't qualify or disqualify you — it combines with PPDT performance to determine the Day 1 screening result.

You're shown a hazy black-and-white picture for 30 seconds. In 4 minutes you must write down: number of characters, age, sex, mood, what led to the situation, what is happening, what will happen — in story form. Then you sit in a group of 12–15, narrate your story (1 minute), then discuss to reach a common consensus story.

Preparation: practise writing 10–15 PPDT stories per week, focus on positive themes (problem-solving, achievement, leadership), avoid victim narratives, and rehearse 1-minute narrations. In the discussion, contribute meaningfully — neither dominate nor stay silent.

TAT (Thematic Apperception Test): 12 pictures (the 12th is blank), 4 minutes per picture, write a story. Tests imagination, optimism and problem-solving orientation.

WAT (Word Association Test): 60 words, 15 seconds each — write the first sentence that comes to mind. Reveals subconscious attitude and instinctive thinking.

SRT (Situation Reaction Test): 60 situations (e.g. "He was alone at night and saw a snake on the road") — write your reaction in 30 minutes. Tests practical judgement, presence of mind, social responsibility.

All three are read by the psychologist to map your personality. Consistency across them matters more than individual brilliance.

The GTO (Group Testing Officer) observes you over 9 outdoor and indoor tasks in groups of 8–10. The GTO doesn't care who solves the task — they observe how you contribute as a group member and as a leader.

Key qualities watched: physical stamina, ability to think on your feet, willingness to help teammates, communication clarity, accepting others' ideas, pushing your own ideas without aggression, completing tasks within rules.

See our detailed pages on PGT, HGT, Snake Race, Command Task for task-by-task breakdowns.

The Interviewing Officer asks across PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire) themes you fill on Day 1 — family, education, hobbies, sports, achievements, friends, why you want to join the forces, current affairs, basic GK on your home district and state, and rapid-fire questions to test consistency with your psych answers.

Expect 30–60 minutes. The IO already has your psych report and GTO observations — they probe gaps and contradictions. Honesty and self-awareness matter more than rehearsed answers. Avoid stereotypes ("I want to serve the nation" without backing it up).

On Day 5, you appear briefly (5–10 minutes) before the full board — President, Deputy President, Psychologist, GTO and IO. They ask 2–3 questions to confirm impressions. Then they discuss your case in detail.

By evening, the President announces the final result in the assembly hall. Recommended candidates' chest numbers are read out — typically 5–25 out of 80–120 candidates per batch (5–20% conversion). Non-recommended candidates pack up the same evening; recommended candidates stay for the medical examination starting next day.

Both. Personality is the foundation, but SSB performance is measurably improvable:

• OIR & PPDT — pure practice and pattern recognition.
• TAT/WAT/SRT — learn to write positive, action-oriented responses; clean up unconscious negativity through feedback.
• GTO — physical training, learning the rules of obstacles, group behaviour coaching.
• Interview — improve articulation, build PIQ-relevant stories, fix posture and tone.

Most repeat candidates who get coached convert in 2–3 attempts. Pure self-prep can work, but mock SSBs with feedback from former officers compress the learning curve dramatically.

There is no cap on SSB attempts — only the underlying exam's age limit applies. A candidate can theoretically attempt SSBs through NDA (3–5 times), CDS (4–6 times), AFCAT (4–8 times), TES, NCC Special, TGC, SSC Tech and so on, summing to 15–25 lifetime SSB attempts for some.

Repeated SSB attempts are not penalised — the board doesn't hold prior "not recommended" against you, but they will check what you've done since to improve.

Conference Out means a candidate was Recommended by individual assessors but the Board collectively decided to drop them in conference. It usually means the assessors saw a flaw the candidate hadn't shown clearly enough — over-rehearsedness, inconsistency, or a doubt about character.

It's rare but stings more than a regular Not Recommended, because the candidate often felt close to selection. Treat it as data: revisit your conference answers, your IO interview, and any contradictions across psych/GTO/interview.

Our SSB programme is offered in three formats: a 15-day intensive for serious aspirants close to their board date, a 30-day comprehensive programme integrating all stages with multiple full mock SSBs, and a weekend SSB track for working professionals.

Every programme includes: psych test analysis with feedback, GTO ground sessions on our own 5-acre obstacle ground, mock interviews with former IOs, lecturette practice, group discussions, and a final 5-day full mock SSB simulation.

Faculty are drawn from former Army, Navy and Air Force officers, several of whom have served as SSB assessors (IOs, GTOs and Psychologists). This matters: SSB feedback from someone who has actually sat across the assessment table is qualitatively different from a coaching teacher who has only read about it.

Our SSB Coaching page lists current faculty and their service backgrounds.

Mandatory: original mark sheets and certificates (10th, 12th, graduation), original ID proof, AFSB/SSB call letter, recent passport-size photographs (10–12 copies), pen and pencil. White PT shoes and white PT shorts/track for GTO. A formal shirt-and-trousers for the interview. Casual but neat clothes for psych and discussions.

Many candidates also carry their own black/blue ballpoint pens, a small notebook, basic medicines (paracetamol, ORS, band-aid), running shoes, and warm clothing if the centre is in a cold city.

Three principles:

• Don't over-prepare. Rehearsed, polished answers are the easiest tell of a candidate trying too hard. Be yourself — but a well-articulated, well-presented version of yourself.
• Sleep, eat, and stay physically fit. SSB is 5 long days. Stamina matters.
• Carry confidence, not arrogance. Remember: you got here because you cleared a tough written exam. The assessors are looking for officer material, not perfect candidates. Mistakes during the 5 days are forgiven; honesty and adaptability are not.

Fees vary by programme — full NDA Foundation (2-year) is in a different bracket from short SSB-only courses. Indicative ranges: NDA Foundation ~₹1.5–2.5 lakh, NDA Crash ~₹40–60K, CDS course ~₹35–55K, AFCAT course ~₹25–40K, SSB Interview programme ~₹35–60K depending on duration.

For exact fees, batch dates and any ongoing discounts, please contact us — our counsellor will share the current fee structure.

Yes. We have partnered hostels within walking distance of the academy in Rajouri Garden, with separate facilities for boys and girls. Hostels include meals, study room, supervised hours, and Wi-Fi. Hostel fees are paid separately to the hostel management.

For outstation students, we strongly recommend a hostel stay during the first 2–3 months to build the discipline and routine that NDA/SSB demand. Visit us with your parents and we'll show you the hostel options.

We offer both. Our flagship offline programmes in Rajouri Garden are the core — they include daily classroom teaching, GTO ground sessions, mock SSB days, weekly tests, and personality grooming activities that can't be replicated online.

For students who can't relocate to Delhi, we run live online classes with recorded backup, online weekly tests, online mock interviews, and remote SSB prep. Online students can come to Delhi for a final 7-day residential mock SSB before their board date — most do.

Yes — we encourage it. Walk in any working day between 11 AM and 6 PM (call ahead to fix a counsellor). You'll get: a full counselling session covering exam strategy and your eligibility, a sit-in on a live class of your target subject, a tour of the academy and GTO ground, and a no-pressure decision window of 7 days.

The first counselling and demo class are always free. There is no obligation to enrol.

We've been training defence aspirants since 2001 — over two decades. Our last cycle delivered 62% NDA selection rate from the foundation batch and consistently strong CDS, AFCAT and SSB conversions. Hundreds of our cadets are currently serving as officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.

For specific success stories, results lists and topper interviews, see our Success Stories page.

Faculty include former officers from all three services (Army, Navy, Air Force) — several with SSB assessor experience — and senior subject experts for academics. We don't hire YouTube influencers or people whose only experience is coaching. Our position is simple: candidates preparing to become officers should be taught by people who have been officers.

For the current faculty roster, visit our Faculties page.