NDA & CDS for Nepali Citizens: Complete and Official Guidance

Based on UPSC Notifications | Brigadier Defence Academy, Dehradun

Every year, a significant number of students from Nepal aspire to become officers in the Indian Armed Forces through NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services). However, conflicting information on the internet, social media, and even coaching centres often creates confusion regarding eligibility.

This blog by Brigadier Defence Academy (BDA), Dehradun provides clear, factual, and official guidance, strictly based on UPSC NDA and CDS notifications, to help Nepali aspirants take informed decisions before starting their preparation.

Understanding NDA and CDS (Officer-Level Entry)

• NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services) are officer-level competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• Candidates who clear the written exam, SSB interview, and medicals are trained to become commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

There is no ambiguity: both NDA and CDS are meant exclusively for officer entry.

Eligibility of Nepali Citizens for NDA & CDS (As per UPSC)

As per the official UPSC NDA and CDS notifications, under Conditions of Eligibility – Nationality:

A candidate may be:

• A Citizen of India, or
• A Subject of Nepal, or
• Other specified categories mentioned in the notification

What this clearly means:

• Nepali citizens are officially eligible to apply for NDA and CDS
• This eligibility is explicitly stated in UPSC notifications
• There is no hidden or unofficial restriction at the application or examination stage

Certificate of Eligibility – Simple Explanation

• Gorkha Subjects of Nepal
  • ✔️ No Certificate of Eligibility required
• Other Nepali Subjects
  • A Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India may be required
  • UPSC allows candidates to appear provisionally and submit the certificate later if needed

This procedure is standard and clearly defined by UPSC.
It does not disqualify a candidate from NDA or CDS.

What Nepali Candidates Can Confidently Do

As per official UPSC rules, Nepali citizens can:

• ✔️ Apply for NDA and CDS
• ✔️ Appear in the written examination
• ✔️ Attend the SSB interview
• ✔️ Be assessed for officer-level suitability

At no stage does UPSC prevent a Nepali candidate from participating in the selection process.

Why There Is Confusion About NDA & CDS for Nepali Students

Many students are told:

“Nepali citizens cannot join NDA or CDS.”

This statement is incomplete and misleading.

The confusion arises because:

• UPSC eligibility and
• Final service commissioning
  are handled by different authorities

UPSC conducts the exam and selection process, while final commissioning is governed by Government of India and service-specific policies. This distinction is often not explained properly, leading to unnecessary doubt among aspirants.

How Nepali Students Should Approach NDA & CDS Preparation

For Nepali aspirants, the correct approach is informed and guided preparation, not fear-based decisions.

Key advice from Brigadier Defence Academy:

• NDA & CDS eligibility for Nepali citizens is official and valid
• Preparation should begin only after proper counselling
• Aspirants must rely on official UPSC notifications, not rumours or social media posts

A responsible institute ensures that:

• Students understand the complete process
• Expectations are clearly explained
• Aspirants are guided with facts, clarity, and honesty

Prepare for NDA & CDS at Brigadier Defence Academy, Dehradun

Brigadier Defence Academy (BDA), Dehradun provides professional, transparent, and ethical guidance for NDA and CDS aspirants, including students from Nepal.

Why join BDA?

• Experienced defence mentors
• Structured NDA & CDS preparation
• Clear counselling based on official UPSC rules
• Physical training, academics, and SSB preparation under one roof
• A disciplined environment aligned with defence standards

Nepali students who meet the eligibility criteria can join Brigadier Defence Academy, Dehradun for serious and focused NDA & CDS preparation, with complete clarity and proper mentorship.

Final Words

To summarise:

• NDA and CDS are officer-level entries
• Nepali citizens are eligible as per official UPSC notifications
• UPSC allows full participation in the selection process
• Aspirants should rely only on official documents and trusted guidance

At Brigadier Defence Academy, Dehradun, our aim is to provide clarity, confidence, and correct direction to every defence aspirant — because informed preparation is the foundation of success.