How is life at the NDA?

Life is full of heat, light and colour.

Heat comes from the heat sessions.

Light comes from the top of Sudan

&

Colour comes from bare back rolling.

:-)

THE TRUTH

NDA turns boys into men.

From wearing clothes to personal grooming - a lot happens at the academy.

So lets understand it as a typical day in a Cadet’s life which is mostly what takes place:

Morning - Reveille (Bugle wake Up Call)

5:00 AM officially

1–3 term 3:30 AM

4–5 term 4:30 AM

6 term - 5: 00 AM

Don’t ask why - Its a privilege a cadet earns as he goes up in the academy.

You have to pass SSB everyday in the bathroom and for junior terms it is supposed to be in 3 minutes - 3 minutes SSB (Shit-Shave-Brush)

Morning Muster

NDA prayer and some specific orders by CSM (Cadet Sergeant Major - 6th term cadet)or SCC (Sqn Cadet Captain - 6th term cadet). SQN officer or the DIV-O is usually present during morning muster.

Period 1&2

The cadets dress up according to first two periods

They are usually in the following format

Double Drill

Double PT

Drill PT

Double Equestarian

PT Academics

Flat (Double Academics)

Breakfast

This is THE thing in the academy!
After the second period cadets rush to the Sqn and take shower and get ready in KD (Khakhi Dress) and push off to the mess. Wrap up your breakfast ASAP and push off for classes.

Lunch

Post classes, cadets directly go to the mess and hog on the lunch and rush to the Sqn.

Games/ PT/Drill Practice/Extended Study period/ Clubs/ Swimming

According to the appointments (specific cadets from 6th term) all cadets are subject to Drill or PT practice or games or even extra study period as is the demand during the term.

According to schedule cadets also go to the assigned clubs.

*Post this the cadets take shower and dress up according to the rig for dinner i.e., - Summer/Winter Mufti or 2B.

Study Period

Official study period till the Sqn Fall-in at 7:50 PM. Cadets usually write letters home during this time or keep looking at If- By Rudyard Kipling ;-)

Sqn Fall-in and Orders- Dinner

All the orders received from the Adjutant’s office and other offices are given during this time by the CSM.

All the cadets then march to the mess and the nominated postman posts letters on the way.

At the entrance of the mess the Battalion level appointments just pass some time and allow Sqns to enter one at a time. This is fun.

Back to Sqn and Night Sessions

This has indefinite list of activities that are underground till and post the lights out.

Cadets are asked to change into specific rigs according to the seniors for different tasks. Predominantly it is a ragda session.

Post lights out depending on the presence of duty officer night ragda also takes place.

OTHER STUFF

There are so many things that go along with it like and are different for different terms.

Watch the NDA documentary - Standard Bearers. Although a bit old it covers all aspects of the academy very clearly.