Are NDA Cadets Entitled to Holidays and Leave?
Every year, cadets who undergo training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in India can look forward to several breaks and holidays. This article provides a detailed overview of the types of holidays and leave available to NDA cadets, including standard breaks and special leave for personal and family reasons.
Standard Holidays for NDA Cadets
At the National Defence Academy (NDA), there are structured breaks and holidays designed to allow cadets to rest and recover after rigorous training. There are two primary breaks throughout the year, each lasting a significant period.
Yearly Breaks
Summer Break (6 Weeks): Occurring in the summer, this break typically spans from late May to early July. Winter Break (4 Weeks): Taking place in winter, it usually ranges from late November to late December.Additionally, cadets are given a smaller mid-term break, approximately three days long, which is usually around the middle of the term.
Sunday and Gazetted Holidays
Every Sunday along with gazetted holidays are considered statutory off days, meaning that cadets are not obligated to perform any duties on these days.
Term Breaks for NDA Cadets
Following each term, which is approximately five months in length, cadets are granted a term break that lasts for around 25-30 days. This break typically occurs between June and July, followed by another break between late December and January.
Leave for NDA Cadets
Aside from the structured breaks, cadets are also given special leave for personal and family reasons. The most common form of special leave includes:
Joining Leave
After completing their training, cadets are given joining leave before commencing service at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) or other designated institutions. The length of this leave is approximately 40 days, similar to the leave period provided at NDA.
Regular Leave
The standard leave provided to cadets each year is 30 days, broken down into 15 days in June and an additional 15 days in December. However, this can vary in special circumstances such as:
Family-related leave: If a cadet or their family member faces a significant event, such as the death of a family member, the cadet may be granted special leave. Marriage of a Sibling: Leave may be granted in case of the marriage of a sibling under special circumstances.Conditional Leave
Under certain conditions, cadets may be called back to the academy early or stay an additional period. These conditions include:
If a cadet fails to pass mandatory tests, they may stay back for 7 days or leave early by 7 days to prepare for pending tests. In preparation for their final term, a cadet might be asked to return to the academy 7 days earlier, resulting in a 21-day leave period. cadets who are hospitalized during training may be provided sick leave. Cadets who are pending with their punishment runs must complete these before they can proceed on leave.Conclusion
The National Defence Academy (NDA) offers a comprehensive leave policy that ensures cadets have the necessary downtime to rest and recover. These breaks and leaves not only provide much-needed relaxation but also ensure that cadets can attend to personal and family matters without compromising their training.