How to Fill Academic Preferences in the NDA Application Form

The National Defence Academy is one of the most famous institutions in India for young aspirants who want to serve the nation as officers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Every year, thousands of students fill out the NDA entrance exam application form through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). While applying, candidates often seem to get confused about the academic preference part; selecting the right preferences is crucial because it defines whether you are eligible to apply for a certain wing of the Armed Forces or not and also your chances of selection. 

If you are applying for the NDA exam and are unsure about how to fill out your academic preferences, then this detailed guide will take you through everything you need to know.

Why Are Academic Preferences Important in the NDA Application?

This part of the NDA application form permits you to choose which wing of the Defence Forces you would like to join. NDA trains cadets for all three services: Army, Navy, and Air Force. Your academic background and choices directly affect where you will be allotted.

Right preferences make you eligible for the services you deserve to be considered for.

In fact, options entered wrongly or in a mismatched manner may even render you ineligible for some services, despite clearing the written exam and SSB interview.

Hence, this section should be thoroughly understood on how to fill it to take off into the NDA career.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Academic Preferences in NDA Form

Step 1: Understand the Eligibility Criteria

Before selecting preferences, the type of service you are eligible for must be based on your academic background. Here’s an insight into the matter:

Indian Army

• Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or its equivalent from a recognised board.
• Stream: Any stream (Arts, Commerce, or Science) will do.

Indian Navy

• Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 having Physics and Mathematics as subjects.
• Stream: Only students of the Science Stream with PCB will be eligible.

Indian Air Force

• Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as subjects.
• Stream: Only Science stream (PCM) students are eligible.

In short, the Army is open to all streams, while the Navy and Air Force require Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level.

Step 2: Decide Your Preference Order

Once you know your eligibility, you need to rank the three services in order of preference. The UPSC form allows you to mark your choices as First Preference, Second Preference, and Third Preference.

If you are a Science student with PCM, you are eligible for all three wings, so you can rank them according to your career aspirations.

If you are from Arts or Commerce, you can only choose the Army as your preference.

Step 3: Match Preferences With Career Goals

This is a decision that ought not to be taken arbitrarily. Consider carefully your long-term goals, interests, and personality. Here’s a simple method:

• Choose the Army as your First Preference if you want to work under ground-based operations in leadership roles in infantry, artillery, and armed divisions.
• Choose Navy as First Preference if you have an interest in life at sea, warships, submarines, and aviation wings of the Navy.
• Choose Air Force as your First Preference if you are interested in flying, aircraft, and tech-based operations.

Step 4: Fill in the Preferences Correctly in the Form

While filling the NDA Form Online:

• Log in to the UPSC NDA application portal.
• Head towards the Service Preferences.
• Select your First, Second, and Third Preferences from the drop-down.
• If you are eligible only for the Army, then select Army as the First Preference. The other options will be disabled.
• Recheck all your selections before the final submission.

Step 5: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many candidates make errors while filling out preferences, which may impact their chances. Avoid these:

• Selecting Navy or Air Force without PCM: If you are from Arts or Commerce, then do not consider these subjects for your preferences. 
• Ignoring Interests: Do not choose randomly because your friends did; rather, select them based on your own judgment. 
• Ignoring Medical Standards: Every service may have some kind of standards that one must meet from a medical point of view. The Air Force is particularly strict regarding vision and height. Anyone who fails to meet the standards had better not put it as their first preference. 
• Not saving the form correctly: Ensure your preferences are saved and confirmed before submission.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing Preferences

1. Academic Stream

• As stated above, Arts and Commerce students can only opt for the Army. The widest choices are available to the students who are from the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics streams.

2. Personal Interest

• Ask yourself whether you would like to command ground troops, sail warships, or fly an aircraft. Their passion should be the deciding factor.

3. Medical Fitness

• The Air Force sets strict standards of eyesight and height.
• An important note for the Navy is that one must have good eyesight and be able to swim.
• For the Army, it is a bit flexible as compared to those for the Air Force.

4. Future Career Opportunities

• Army: Opportunities in infantry, engineering corps, intelligence, and more.
• Navy: Options in surface fleet, submarines, and naval aviation.
• Air Force: Pilots, ground duty officers, and technical branches.

Read More: NDA Previous Year Question Papers

Conclusion

In the NDA application form, it is very important to fill in your academic preferences as these will shape your defence career. Your eligibility depends on your academic stream, while the preferences should be based on what you enjoy, have an aptitude for, and can see in your future. While Science students with PCM have the possibility of going in for all three services, Arts and Commerce students try for the Army.

Before you set your preferences, take some time to think about your career path. Avoid pitfalls and unachievable medical standards, and choose the one you can see yourself contributing to with pride and dedication.