When applying for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, it is essential to have all the necessary documents and information ready to ensure a smooth application process. Below is a comprehensive list of documents and details required to complete your NDA application form successfully:
Required Documents for NDA Application
Photograph
- A recent passport-sized photograph must be uploaded as part of the application process.
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Size: Between 20 KB and 300 KB
- The photograph should be clear, without any obstructions to your face, and against a light-colored background.
- It is advisable to ensure that your face is visible in the photo with no shadows or red-eye.
Signature
- A scanned image of your signature must be uploaded.
- Format: JPG/JPEG
- Size: Between 20 KB and 300 KB
- The signature should be done in a black ink pen on white paper.
- The signature must be clear and readable, and it should not be in all capital letters or overly stylized.
Class 12th (or Equivalent) Marksheet
- Educational Qualification: The candidate must have completed or must be in the process of completing Class 12 or its equivalent by the time of the exam.
- For candidates who have already completed their Class 12, a scanned copy of the 12th-grade mark sheet or passing certificate is required.
- For candidates appearing in the Class 12 exam: You will have to provide the details of the board and stream (i.e., Science with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or any other stream).
- If you are applying based on an equivalent qualification, you may need to submit relevant documents certifying the equivalency of your qualifications.
Proof of Age/Date of Birth
- The proof of date of birth is necessary to confirm your age eligibility for the NDA exam.
- Accepted Documents:
- Matriculation Certificate (Class 10) from a recognized board.
- Birth Certificate (if applicable).
- Format: Scanned copy in PDF or JPEG/JPG format.
- The document must clearly indicate your date of birth as per the records.
Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- If you belong to a reserved category (SC/ST/OBC), you will need to upload a valid caste certificate.
- The certificate should be issued by a competent authority in the prescribed format.
- It should clearly mention the candidate’s caste and that they belong to a reserved category.
- Format: PDF/JPG/JPEG
Photo ID Proof (if required)
- Candidates may be asked to provide a government-issued photo ID proof to verify their identity.
- Accepted IDs:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Passport
- Driving License
- School/College ID Card
- Ensure the ID is valid and the details match the information entered in the application form.
- Format: Scanned copy of the original document in PDF/JPG/JPEG format.
Proof of Eligibility (for Candidates Appearing for Class 12)
- If you are appearing for the Class 12 exam at the time of application, you must provide a certificate or proof of enrolment from your school or board.
- This document should confirm that you are a regular student of Class 12 and will appear for the exams before the NDA exam date.
- This can be a school-issued certificate with the school’s official seal, signature, and your details.
Aadhaar Card (Optional, but recommended for verification)
- Although not mandatory, candidates may opt to upload their Aadhaar card as an additional identity proof.
- It helps in the verification process and is often required for official communications.
- Format: Scanned copy in JPG/JPEG.
Discharge Certificate (for Ex-Servicemen, if applicable)
- If you are an Ex-Serviceman, you must provide a Discharge Certificate to confirm your status as an ex-serviceman.
- This is important if you are applying under the Ex-Servicemen quota.
Medical Certificate (if applicable at later stages)
- Although not required for the online application, medical certificates may be necessary during later stages, especially when shortlisted candidates undergo medical examinations.
- The medical examination will determine if the candidate meets the physical and medical fitness standards set by the NDA.
- However, no specific medical certificate is required during the application phase unless directed by UPSC.
Receipt of Payment (if applicable)
- If you are paying the application fee through a bank (offline mode), you need to attach the payment receipt issued by the bank.
- If you make the payment online (through Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking), the receipt is automatically generated, and no physical copy is required.
Tips for Document Upload:
- Ensure that all uploaded documents are clear and legible. Poor quality documents may lead to the rejection of your application.
- Documents should not be blurred, pixelated, or have any reflective light that makes it difficult to read.
- The format of the document should strictly be as specified by the UPSC, i.e., JPG/JPEG/PDF.
- Keep all your scanned documents in the required file size range (as mentioned above) to avoid upload errors.
Key Documents for NDA Application (Summary Table)
| Document | Format | File Size | Remarks |
|------------------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| Photograph | JPG/JPEG | 20 KB to 300 KB | Clear, passport-sized photo with a white background |
| Signature | JPG/JPEG | 20 KB to 300 KB | Black ink signature on white paper |
| Class 12 Marksheet (or Equivalent) | PDF/JPG/JPEG | As per document size | If applicable, submit the latest mark sheet |
| Proof of Age (Class 10 Certificate) | PDF/JPG/JPEG | As per document size | Birth certificate or Matriculation Certificate |
| Caste Certificate (if applicable) | PDF/JPG/JPEG | As per document size | SC/ST/OBC certificate from competent authority |
| ID Proof (optional but recommended) | PDF/JPG/JPEG | As per document size | Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar, Voter ID) |
| Discharge Certificate (if applicable) | PDF/JPG/JPEG | As per document size | For Ex-Servicemen applicants |
Conclusion:
Make sure to keep all these documents handy and ensure their accuracy before beginning the application process. Verify that the documents are in the correct format, legible, and meet the specified size requirements. After uploading the required documents and successfully filling out the application form, you will be ready to submit your NDA application to UPSC.