The National Defence Academy is a foremost joint training institution for the excellence in the competition for producing junior leaders of Armed forces. Here, cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy and the Air force are trained together before they go for pre-commissioning training. The objective of training is to impart academic and technological training of the highest quality in order to equip cadets with appropriate qualification as foundation for their service careers. To join National Defence Academy a candidate must appear in the entrance exam conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), followed by extensive interviews by the SSB covering general aptitude, psychological testing, team skills as well as physical and social skills, along with medical tests. Those who are selected in all the three stages of testing procedure of National Defence Academy will be given preliminary training of academic and physical for a period of 3 years at the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, Pune.
Academics at NDA:
The training during the first 3 years is common to the cadets of all the three wings (Air force, Army, Navy) as this is the academic year at NDA. After 3 years of training all the cadets are given graduation in BA/BSc or BCs degree of Jawaharlal Nehru University. On a successful completion of three years course cadets are then sent to their respective academies for the next 1 year depending on what cadets had been selected for.
- Army cadets proceed to the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun.
- Whereas, the Air Force cadets proceed to the Air Force Academy (AFA), Hydrabad.
- And the Naval Cadets to the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala.
From academic exams to swimming, horse riding, PT, navigation, drilling, firing etc are all done under peer pressure of officers and instructors.
LIFE AT NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY (NDA)
An outsider thinks life at National Defence Academy is a cakewalk but the cadets struggling inside know the real pain. Cadets are imparted a blend of both indoor and outdoor trainings.
On the date of reporting to the Academy a cadet is allotted to one of the 18 Squadrons which then becomes his home for the next three years. Each squadron has its own nickname.
Then there is a central cadets’ mess which becomes an exclusive symbol of solidarity and brotherhood among the cadets. At the entrance of the mess is kept a sadly empty table with a chair that leans against it in a forlorn manner. This is the seat of those Alumni of the Academy who are listed as Missing in Action or were taken Prisoners of War and did not return.
Along with academics cadets are asked to join clubs where they brush up their indoor and outdoor skills. The indoor clubs include media, art, western music, classical music, dramatics, yoga, public speaking, debates etc. And the outdoor academics include trekking, rock climbing, shooting, sailing, paragliding, parasailing, martial arts, golf, archery, swimming, skating, football, cricket etc.
Phones are strictly prohibited in NDA. At the time to urgency the cadets can make a call from the STD booth and squadron landlines.
Cadets have their Sundays off in which they get a free time to go to nearby market to buy their essentials.
Same happens on the days of festivals when the cadets get a day off and a freedom to move out the Academy to visit nearby places.
In NDA, there is no place of leniency in the discipline. That’s why whenever the cadets commit anything which is against the rules they face punishment or “Ragda”. This not just includes running, push ups but much more than this. Ragda is the dreadful punishment in the academy which the cadets have to faces.
Daily routine of cadets in NDA
Daily schedule of cadet’s training at National Defence Academy is decided prior the term starts and the same is followed till the end.
Every morning the cadets have to wake up at 4a.m for the morning roll call, known as the muster fall- in followed by their outdoor training i.e. PT. After that cadets come back to their squadrons and get a break of 1 hour for breakfast.
After breakfast, they rush to attend the classes within minutes. Sharp at 2p.m cadets sit together for 45mins. to take lunch.
The time between 3p.m to 6p.m is invested in games, to develop the spirit of sportsmanship in the cadets.
Sharp at 6pm cadets are called for the evening roll call for half an hour.
From 6:30p.m to 8:30p.m cadets are expected to study and then have to report for dinner. After which they again have to give their 1 hour to sports.
Till 10:30p.m all the cadets have to turn in to their squadrons.
CONCLUSION
The training at the NDA is so fast that the time seems to fly. During the 3years stay in the academy, the cadet learns to live his life with discipline. The time spent here is a golden moment of every cadet’s life.
For any query write us on comment section below.You can also contact Trishul Defence Academy at the numbers provided below or get free counselling at your nearest centre of Trishul Defence Academy.
Trishul Defence Academy
Corporate office: -Gayatri Dham Building, Milan Tower, Behind Max Mall, Civil Lines, Prayagraj (U.P.) 211001, Contact: 8400083030
Branch Offices :
AGRA:- 16,17,18 Balaji Complex Silver City, Gwalior Road Agra Cantt
Contact : 6399013030
BAREILLY:– 35A Civil Lines, Chauki Chauraha, Near Amaya Hotel, Bareilly (U.P.) Contact : 9690502728
RANCHI:- 6th Floor Jagganath Tower, 403, Circular Road, Lalpur, Ahirtoli, Ranchi (Jharkhand) Contact: 9934113030
GWALIOR:- 106 MLB colony, Near Miss school, Padav, i.e. Gwalior Contact: 6262063030
Website: www.trishuldefenceacademy.com
Mail us at– info.trishuldefenceacademy@gmail.com
