Khadakwasla is about 20 kilometres southwest of Pune, nestled between the Sahyadri hills and the Khadakwasla Lake. The quiet town, which lies in the shadow of Sinhagad Fort, holds national significance as the cradle of India’s military leadership.
The site was chosen for its natural seclusion, land availability, surrounding hills, uneven terrain and access to a large freshwater reservoir—ideal to train cadets in land, air and water operations.
The area also hosts the College of Military Engineering (CME) and the Institute of Armament Technology (IAT), and Khadakwasla has the feel of a disciplined military township. There are no malls, nightlife or crowds. As one NDA instructor famously put it: “You don’t come to the NDA. You come to Khadakwasla. And Khadakwasla trains you, just as much as the Academy does.”
FROM COLONIAL ESTATE TO NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY
The NDA is spread over 7,000 acres. The land was once part of an estate owned by the Bombay Presidency. After independence, the government chose Khadakwasla as the site for the world’s first tri-services academy, based on the model of the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. The foundation stone was laid in 1949 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and the academy formally came into being in January 1955.
THE SUDAN BLOCK
At the heart of the NDA is the Sudan Block, a majestic colonial-era building with Indo-Saracenic architectural elements. The block was built as a tribute to Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the East African campaign during World War II, particularly in Sudan. A large part of its funding came from public contributions in Sudan. Today, it houses administrative offices and stands as a solemn reminder of shared sacrifice and international solidarity.
THE ARCHITECTURE
The campus reflects an austere yet functional design suited for military discipline. While the Sudan Block provides the ceremonial core, other buildings like cadet squadrons, academic blocks and messes are built with red stone and have colonial-era proportions.
THE PARADE GROUND AND DRILL SQUARE
Perhaps the most sacred open space at the NDA is the drill square, where cadets participate in the passing out parade—a culminating moment of their three-year training.
SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE
The obstacle course area: This ground is both “feared and revered” by cadets. The gruelling circuit features about 20 military-style obstacles: rope climbs, vaults, trenches, monkey bridges, balance beams, and more.
The cross-country route: The trail spans several kilometres and is run regularly by cadets in groups. It includes rough terrain, forest paths and water crossings.
Hockey, football and cricket grounds, and basketball and volleyball courts. Matches are played during weekends and holidays—the officers vs cadets matches are quite popular.
Swimming, watermanship training: The NDA has an Olympic-size swimming pool. Watermanship training is compulsory, with cadets undergoing tests that simulate real-world scenarios like swimming in uniform or rescuing a drowning person. In addition, Khadakwasla lake offers opportunities for sailing, rowing and kayaking.
Equestrian grounds: The NDA is among the few military institutes in India with a fully functional equestrian training facility.
Shooting ranges: At the dedicated rifle and pistol ranges, cadets receive hands-on training in marksmanship.
Gymnasiums and combat sports arenas: The central gymnasium is in addition to the boxing rings and wrestling pits.