NDA Success Story 2026: Akal Academy Alumnus Shubham Godara Qualifies NDA

Akal Academy alumnus Shubham Godara has qualified the NDA exam while still in Class 12. Know more about his journey, NDA eligibility, exam pattern, selection process and preparation tips for students after Class 10.

A Proud Day for a Village School

Every year, lakhs of young Indians sit for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam with one dream: to wear the uniform and serve the country. Only a small number make it through. This year, Akal Academy Salam Khera has a special reason to celebrate. Its former student, Shubham Godara, has qualified the NDA examination while still studying in Class 12.

Many students and parents search online for the NDA topper 2026 list and the stories of those who cleared the exam. Shubham’s story deserves to be read too. It shows that a clear goal, a hardworking family and good schooling can take a child from a small village to one of the most respected exams in the country. Shubham comes from a simple farming family. Many parents in villages dream of sending their children to the best rural education schools in India, where good teaching and strong values go together. Shubham got that kind of schooling at Akal Academy Salam Khera and worked steadily towards his goal.

Who Is Shubham Godara?

Shubham Godara studied in Class 10 at Akal Academy Salam Khera during the 2024-25 academic session. He saw hard work up close from a young age. Every morning, he watched his father walk out to do two jobs. His father farms the family’s fields and also treats the animals of the village as a veterinary doctor.

That daily example of hard work and service stayed with him. Shubham set a clear goal, stayed focused and kept working towards it. While in Class 12, he qualified the NDA examination conducted by UPSC.

Akal Academy Salam Khera Congratulates Its Alumnus

The school management, the principal, teachers and staff of Akal Academy Salam Khera have congratulated Shubham on this achievement. For the school, his success is a moment of great pride. They wish him success in his future journey and hope he will serve the nation with honour and dedication.

Shubham is one of many students who have studied at the Akal Academies in rural North India. His journey sends a clear message to younger students. A child from a village school can aim for the armed forces. What matters most is discipline, hard work and steady effort.

Akal Academy for Defence Training, Chunni Kalan

A career in the armed forces is built on discipline, courage, leadership and love for the nation. Keeping this in mind, The Kalgidhar Society runs the Akal Academy for Defence Training (AADT) at Chunni Kalan in Punjab. This programme is dedicated to preparing students for the NDA entrance exam. It also prepares them for life with confidence, good character and a sense of purpose.

ALSO READ: Rural Girl Clears NDA, Set to Become Army Officer

How Students Are Selected

Students for AADT are selected from across 130 Akal Academies. The selection is done through written tests, interviews and merit. Selected students join the programme after Class 10. They complete their Class 11 and Class 12 studies while preparing for the NDA at the same time.

Parents who are looking for the best NDA coaching in India after 10th will find this model worth a close look. Here, a child does not have to choose between board exams and NDA preparation. Both go on side by side, in one disciplined daily routine.

What Students Learn at AADT

• Nitnem and value-based living
• Personality development and communication skills
• Physical endurance and fitness training
• Leadership training
• Guidance from experienced military mentors

With this training, students learn dedication, discipline and patriotism. The goal is to prepare them mentally, physically and emotionally to serve the nation with honour. The programme is inspired by the vision of Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, the Founder President of The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib.

Past Results of AADT Cadets

AADT cadets have earned a place in NDA merit lists before. In the final UPSC NDA II 2024 merit list, two AADT cadets were selected: Eknoor Singh with All India Rank 154 and Narayan Singh with All India Rank 457. You can read their story in Rising Stars from Rural Roots.

What Is the NDA?

The National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune, is the joint training academy of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Cadets of all three services train together here before moving to their own service academies. UPSC conducts the NDA and NA exam twice a year, known as NDA I and NDA II. For NDA II 2026, the written exam was held on 13 September 2026 for 394 vacancies.

NDA Eligibility Criteria

The age limit dates may change with every exam. Always check the latest notification on upsc.gov.in before applying.

NDA Exam Pattern

Both papers have objective-type questions. There is negative marking: one-third of the marks for a question are deducted for every wrong answer.

NDA Selection Process

1. Written exam: UPSC conducts the written exam of 900 marks. Candidates who score above the cut-off are called for the SSB interview.
2. SSB interview: The Services Selection Board interview carries 900 marks and runs for five days.
3. Stage 1 is a screening round with the Officer Intelligence Rating test and the Picture Perception and Discussion Test.
4. Stage 2 has psychological tests, group tasks, a personal interview and a conference. Only those who clear Stage 1 move to Stage 2.
5. Medical examination: Candidates recommended by the SSB go through a detailed medical test.
6. Final merit list: UPSC prepares the final merit list from the total of written exam and SSB marks, out of 1800.

Training After Selection

Selected cadets train at the NDA in Pune for three years and earn a graduate degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Candidates selected for the Indian Naval Academy’s 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme train directly at Ezhimala instead. After the NDA, Army cadets go to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. Navy cadets go to the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, and Air Force cadets go to the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Hyderabad.

How to Prepare for NDA After Class 10

Shubham’s story shows that early planning pays off. If you are in Class 10 and dream of joining the NDA, these simple steps can help.

• Pick the right subjects: Choose Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 11 if you want the option of the Air Force or Navy. The Army wing is open to all streams.
• Make maths your strength: The maths paper carries 300 marks. Practise algebra, trigonometry, calculus and statistics regularly, and solve previous year papers.
• Read the newspaper daily: General Knowledge carries 400 marks. A daily habit of reading news builds your current affairs slowly and surely.
• Work on your English: Grammar, vocabulary and reading practice help in the 200-mark English section and also at the SSB.
• Stay physically fit: Running, push-ups and sit-ups should be part of your routine. Fitness matters at the SSB and during training.
• Build your personality: Speak with confidence, take part in group activities and learn to lead a team. The SSB judges these qualities closely.

Many families also spend time searching for the best NDA coaching in India. Do not decide on advertisements alone. Look for a disciplined daily routine, school studies alongside NDA preparation, physical training, SSB guidance from experienced mentors and a record of real selections.

Conclusion

Shubham Godara’s journey began in a farming family and a village classroom. His father’s two daily jobs taught him the value of hard work. Akal Academy Salam Khera gave him the education and discipline to aim high. Today, he has qualified one of the toughest exams in the country while still in school.

Stories like his grow out of the rural education work of The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib, and The Kalgidhar Society. Together, they run 130 schools and 2 universities, educating more than 75,000 students. Families who look for the best rural education schools in India often want good teaching, strong values and real chances for their children. Every village child deserves that kind of schooling.

You can help more children like Shubham. Sponsor a child’s education through Educate To Save, or support rural education through CSR for CHANGE, an initiative supporting the noble cause of Kalgidhar Baru Sahib.

FAQs

Who is Shubham Godara?

Shubham Godara is a former student of Akal Academy Salam Khera, where he studied in Class 10 during the 2024-25 session. He qualified the NDA examination while studying in Class 12.

Can I apply for the NDA while studying in Class 12?

Yes. Students who are appearing in Class 12 can apply. They must submit proof of passing within the time given by UPSC.

Where can I find the NDA topper 2026 list?

UPSC publishes the final NDA merit list on its official website after the SSB interviews and medical tests are over. The written exam result comes first, and the final list follows later.

Is there negative marking in the NDA exam?

Yes. One-third of the marks for a question is cut for every wrong answer.

When do students join the Akal Academy for Defence Training, Chunni Kalan?

Students join after Class 10. They are selected from across 130 Akal Academies through written tests, interviews and merit, and they study Class 11 and 12 while preparing for the NDA.

What should I look for in the best NDA coaching in India?

Look for a programme that lets you finish Class 11 and 12 along with NDA preparation. It should also offer regular physical training and SSB guidance from experienced mentors. A record of real selections matters too.