Interesting Facts About NDA Aspirants Should Know

The NDA is the preferred career destination for millions of youngsters across the country. The National Defence Academy is the only institute in the country which trains candidates hoping to get into the Army, Air Force or Navy. In a way, this is a unique three-tier training unit. In addition, to this unique status of NDA, candidates taking the NDA entrance tests every year need to know a few interesting facts to motivate them further.

To begin with, the main building of the NDA institute is called SUDAN block. This is in deference to the fact that the country Sudan donated quite a bit of money for the building of this block because many Indian soldiers laid down their lives to defend Sudan in World War II. In fact, the name of NDA came later. Previously, it was known as Joint Services Wing or JSW. It was only on January 16, 1955 that the name JSW was changed to NDA in an operation known as ‘Operation Badli’.

There are several luminaries of the country who are alumni of the NDA. The Olympic medal winner and now Cabinet Minister Lt. Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is a passout of this institute. There is also Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first astronaut from India. In addition to these luminaries, there is a list of 27 Indian Army Chiefs who have trained at NDA.

NDA offers a three-year degree course like you would do for a graduation. NDA gives a Baccalaureate degree to the candidate who passes the final exams. Candidates aspire to be a passout of NDA simply because the institute is known for producing officers who are looked up to as ‘Men of Honour’. In this context, it would be stating in a lighter vein that a punishment which has gained popularity originated in the NDA: the task of running on a field with heavy backpacks!

The life at NDA is very different from anything you have experienced before. It is not just the opportunity at a brilliant career. It is also a chance to rub shoulders with the best minds and personalities that this country has produced. No wonder millions try to crack the NDA entrance test each year!