NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY
NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY Since its inception sixty-three years ago, National Defence Academy (NDA) has steadily grown both in stature and élan. The present Academy insignia was selected in 1948. The background is maroon, which is not only an appropriate colour of heraldry but also a symbol of chivalry and sacrifice. The crest is composed of the symbols of the three services superimposed on each other and mounted on top by the Ashoka Capitol. The anchor supports the sword and both support the eagle. In this combined form they are no longer four separate entities but fused into one organic whole, communicating visually a new identity, a brotherhood of the armed forces of India, imbued with unquestioned valour (the swords), an unruffled stability and poise (the anchor) which no storms can disturb and fervent zeal always to reach for the sky (the eagle) and the pride of being in the service of the motherland (the Ashoka Capital). The motto is fashioned on a ribbon at the base of the ...