NDA

NDA(National defence academy)

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the Joint Services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navyand the Air Force train together before they go on to respective service academies for further pre-commissioning training. The NDA is located at Khadakwasla near Pune, Maharashtra. It is the first tri-service academy in the world.

National Defence Academy

Motto	sēvā paramō dharma
Motto in English	Service Before Self
Type	Military Academy
Established	7 December 1954
Commandant	Air Marshal IP VIPIN VM
Location	Pune, Maharashtra, India 18°25′20″N 73°45′55″E / 18.42222°N 73.76528°E
Campus	7,015 acres (28.39 km2)
Colors	Maroon[1]
Affiliations	Jawaharlal Nehru University
Website	nda.nic.in

NDA alumni have led and fought in every major conflict in which the Indian Armed Forces has been called to action since the academy was established. The alumni include 3 Param Vir Chakrarecipients and 12 Ashoka Chakrarecipients. National Defence Academy has produced 27 service Chiefs Of Staff till date. Current Chiefs Of Staff of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force are all NDA alumni.

Campus

The Sudan Block and the Ashok Stambha at the National Defence Academy

Shivaji memorial at the National Defence Academy. The 17th century Maratha warrior king is considered as the Father of Indian Navy.

National Defence Academy, Sudan Block

The NDA campus is located about 17 km south-west of Pune city, north-west of Khadakwasla Lake. It spans 7,015 acres (28.39 km2) of the 8,022 acres (32.46 km2) donated by the Government of the former Bombay State. The site was chosen for being on a lake shore, the suitability of the neighboring hilly terrain, proximity to the Arabian Sea and other military establishments, an operational air base nearby at Lohegaon as well as the salubrious climate. The existence of an old combined-forces training centre and a disused mock landing ship, HMS Angostura, on the north bank of the Khadakwasla lake which had been used to train troops for amphibious landings, lent additional leverage for the selection of the site. Aptly, NDA is also located in the hunting grounds of the legendary Shivaji, with the Sinhagad Fort as a panoramic backdrop.

The administrative headquarters of the NDA was named the Sudan Block, in honour of the sacrifices of Indian soldiers in the Sudan theatre during the East African Campaign. It was inaugurated by then Ambassador of Sudan to India, Rahmatullah Abdulla, on 30 May 1959. The building is a 3-storey basalt and granite structure constructed with Jodhpur red sandstone. Its architecture features an exterior design comprising a blend of arches, pillars and verandahs, topped by a dome. The foyer has white Italian marble flooring and panelling on the interior walls. On the walls of the foyer hang the portraits of NDA graduates who have been honored with the highest gallantry awards, the Param Vir Chakra or the Ashoka Chakra.