In a bid to meet the shortfall of officers in the armed forces, the National Defence Academy (NDA) has decided to increase its intake by 140 cadets. The academy currently admits 1,800 cadets each year. While the increased intake -- which translates to an increase of roughly 25 cadets per batch -- is likely to start from 2009, the academy will start expanding infrastructure from next year.

The academy will add one more squadron to the existing 15 to accommodate the extra cadets. "Work will start in the coming year and we will get a new building within two-three years. The plan is to increase the strength from the current 1,800 cadets to 1,940 cadets," NDA commandant Lt Gen AK Chopra said. The increase of 25 cadets per batch will be distributed among all three services as per the current proportion.

The academy, which currently gives BA and BSc degrees to cadets from JNU, is also starting a BTech course for all naval cadets. As per the requirements of the Navy -- which is making a BTech degree compulsory for all officers -- the academy will start the course from 2009. While nothing concrete has come out yet, the Navy is in talks with IIT Mumbai to give the BTech degrees.

"We are working out the details, but it has been proposed that cadets will spend the first two years at NDA and complete the course in the next two years from the Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kerala," deputy commandant and chief instructor Rear Admiral C S Patham said. He said the tri-services spirit of the academy would be retained as naval cadets will spend two years at the academy.

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