Army Coaching in Dehradun – NDA, CDS & SSB Preparation at Cadets Defence Academy
Cadets Defence Academy provides army coaching in Dehradun for students who want to become officers in the Indian Army through the NDA, CDS and SSB routes. Since 2012, our campus in 4, Cement Rd, opposite DBS PG College, near Chawla Chowk, Karanpur has brought written-exam classes, SSB interview training, physical fitness and personality development into one structured programme, with online and offline batches and hostel facilities for outstation students.
What Is Army Coaching, and Who Is It For?
Army coaching is structured preparation for the entrance exams and selection interviews that lead to a commission as an Army officer. It covers the written test (Mathematics, English, General Knowledge and reasoning), the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, and the physical and medical standards. It suits Class 10 students who want an early start, Class 12 students aiming for the NDA, and graduates preparing for the CDS.
Army Courses at Cadets Defence Academy, Dehradun
Pick the course that matches your qualification and timeline.
| Course | Who it is for | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NDA Coaching | Class 12 passed or appearing | 6 months to till selection |
| NDA Foundation | Students after Class 10 who want an early start | 2 Years |
| CDS Coaching | Graduates (final-year students as per UPSC rules) | 5-6 Months |
| SSB Interview Coaching | Candidates preparing for or called to SSB | 4-5 days program |
| AFCAT | Graduates aiming for the Air Force | 6 Months |
| Air Force X & Y Group | X: Class 12 with PCM; Y: Class 12 any stream | 6 months, till selection |
| Navy AA / SSR | Class 12 (subject rules as per Navy notification) | 6th Months |
NDA Coaching in Dehradun (After 12th)
The NDA is the main route into the Army after Class 12. UPSC conducts the written exam twice a year; selected candidates train at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune, and Army cadets then complete their pre-commissioning training at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. Our NDA batch runs for 6 months to till selection and covers Mathematics, English, General Science, History, Geography, Polity and Current Affairs, backed by regular mock tests and SSB preparation for those who qualify.
NDA Foundation (After 10th)
Students who want a head start can begin after Class 10. The foundation course builds strong basics in Mathematics, English and general awareness while developing fitness and discipline, so the NDA syllabus feels familiar by the time you reach Class 12
CDS Coaching in Dehradun (For Graduates)
The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is the graduate-entry route to the Indian Military Academy (Army), Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training Academy. The written exam tests English, General Knowledge and, for IMA, INA and AFA, Elementary Mathematics. Our CDS coaching prepares you for the written paper and the SSB that follows.
SSB Interview Coaching in Dehradun
The SSB is a five-day assessment of personality and officer-like qualities, not a test of bookish knowledge. Stage I screens candidates with intelligence tests and the Picture Perception and Discussion Test. Stage II covers psychological tests, group tasks, a personal interview and a conference. Our SSB training builds confidence in each of these, alongside fitness and personality development.
AFCAT, Air Force X & Y Group and Navy AA/SSR
Still deciding between the three forces? We also coach for AFCAT, Air Force X & Y Group and Navy AA/SSR, so you can compare options and choose with guidance.
How We Train Army Aspirants
- Concept-first classes in digital classrooms, taught by experienced defence faculty
- Own study material from our defence-exam publications, covering the subjects and topics each exam tests
- Regular mock tests that follow the real exam pattern and time limit, with review of your mistakes
- Doubt-solving sessions so no topic is left half-understood [confirm]
- SSB and interview training alongside written preparation, not after it
- Physical fitness and personality development built into the routine
- Regular medical check-ups to keep you fit for selection
NDA Exam Pattern at a Glance
The NDA written exam has two papers of 2.5 hours each, followed by the SSB. Final merit is based on 1,800 marks.
| Stage | Paper | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written | Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 hours |
| Written | General Ability Test (English 200 + General Knowledge 400) | 600 | 2.5 hours |
| SSB | Services Selection Board assessment | 900 | 5 days |
Why Choose Cadets Defence Academy for Army Coaching in Dehradun?
- Over a decade of experience. We have coached defence aspirants in Dehradun since 2012.
- Every main officer-entry course in one place. NDA, NDA Foundation, CDS, SSB, AFCAT, Air Force X & Y and Navy AA/SSR.
- Experienced faculty. A team of 10+ faculty members guides each batch. [confirm]
- Residential option. Hostel with mess for outstation students, with separate hostels for boys and girls.
- Learning facilities. Digital classrooms, a library, regular mock tests and regular medical check-ups.
- Online and offline batches. Study on campus or from home.
Hostel, Mess and Campus Facilities
Students coming from outside Dehradun can stay in our hostel with a mess facility, so travel time and cooking do not eat into study hours. Boys and girls have separate hostels, and rooms are kept clean and tidy. Campus facilities include well-equipped classrooms, digital classrooms, a library and regular health check-ups.
Online or Offline Army Coaching: Which Should You Choose?
Choose offline if you want daily discipline, group practice for SSB tasks, physical training and the hostel routine. Choose online if you live outside Dehradun or are still in school or college and need a flexible schedule. Both modes cover the same exams, and you can ask our counsellors which fits your target date.
Why Prepare for the Army in Dehradun?
Dehradun has long been linked with the armed forces. The Indian Military Academy, where Army cadets complete their pre-commissioning training, and the Rashtriya Indian Military College are both here. Preparing in this city means studying among people who understand the path, in a setting that supports a disciplined routine.
Upcoming Defence Exam Dates (2026–27)
| Exam | Notification | Last date to apply | Exam date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA & NA (I) 2027 | 2 December 2026 | 22 December 2026 | 11 April 2027 |
| NDA & NA (II) 2027 | 12 May 2027 | 1 June 2027 | 19 September 2027 |
Dates are from the UPSC Annual Calendar 2027. For CDS and other exams, check upsc.gov.in.
Fees and Admission Process
Fees depend on the course, duration, mode (online or offline) and whether you need the hostel. For the current fee structure, call
or send an enquiry.
- Contact us by phone, WhatsApp or the enquiry form.
- Choose your course and batch with our counsellor.
- Register online through the website or in person at the campus.
- Start classes and your first mock-test cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best army coaching is the one that prepares you for the written exam, the SSB and fitness together, gives regular mock tests, and has results you can verify. Cadets Defence Academy offers all of these in one campus, with hostel and online options. Visit a few academies, compare faculty, batch size and results, and speak to current students before deciding.
After Class 12, clear the UPSC NDA exam and the SSB. After graduation, clear the CDS exam and the SSB, or apply through other officer entries the Army notifies. Soldier recruitment (Agniveer) is a different route from officer entry.
You must be unmarried, meet UPSC nationality rules, be generally 16.5 to 19.5 years old at course start, and have passed or be appearing in Class 12. Army wing candidates can be from any stream; Air Force and Navy wings need Physics and Mathematics. Check the UPSC notification for the exact age window and medical standards.
The written exam has Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600 marks), each of 2.5 hours, for 900 marks in total. Candidates who qualify appear for the five-day SSB, which carries 900 marks.
The NDA course runs for 6 months to till selection. Contact us for the next batch date and for the foundation course after Class 10.
Yes. We offer hostel accommodation with a mess facility for outstation students, with separate hostels for boys and girls.
Yes. We run online coaching for defence exams along with offline classes at our Dehradun campus.
Yes. Women can appear for the NDA, and girls can join our batches and stay in the girls hostel.
Start alongside your written preparation. SSB tests personality, communication and leadership, which improve over months of practice, not days. Candidates who clear the written exam are called for the SSB.
NDA & NA (I) 2027 is scheduled for 11 April 2027, with the notification due on 2 December 2026 and the last date to apply on 22 December 2026. NDA & NA (II) 2027 is on 19 September 2027.
Fees vary by course, duration, mode and hostel. Call [phone number] or send an enquiry for the latest fee structure.
We are on Sahastradhara Road, near Kriti Apartment and opposite Shani Dev Mandir, B Block, Aman Vihar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001.