Centurion Defence Academy

What Centurion Defence Academy does

Centurion Defence Academy is an India-based defence exam coaching institute founded in 2008 by clinical psychologist Shishir Dixit and headquartered in Lucknow, with a second command center in Dehradun adjacent to the Indian Military Academy. The company prepares aspirants for entry into the Indian Armed Forces through integrated written-exam and Services Selection Board (SSB) interview coaching across NDA, CDS, AFCAT, MNS, and adjacent defence entries including CPSS, Sainik School/RIMC/RMS, Territorial Army, ACC, AFMC, and Navy Agniveer. Its core platform combines physical infrastructure (smart classrooms, hostels, and what the company describes as India's largest GTO ground with 165+ obstacles at both centers), an in-house content library anchored by the proprietary book 'Ranneeti', and the Centurion Digital mobile application delivering live and recorded classes, practice tests, and performance tracking.

The company operates a multi-channel, multi-product delivery model: offline classroom programs at the Lucknow and Dehradun campuses, the Centurion Digital app on Android and iOS, a Distance Learning Program (DLP) for remote students, and a YouTube channel with 550K+ subscribers used for top-of-funnel free content. Course fees are partially disclosed (Rs 17,000 for the 14-day SSB interview program) with NDA/CDS/AFCAT/MNS classroom fees available on enquiry, while Centurion Digital subscription tiers (Paramveer and Dhruv batch plans) include both short and multi-year contracts. The faculty bench comprises retired Indian Army Maj Gens, Colonels, ex-GTOs from official SSB boards, retired Air Force Group Captains, DIPR-trained assessors, and a clinical psychologist founder. Outcomes cited include 200+ officer selections annually, 175+ selections in 2025-26 batch, 3-4 selections per week, 201K+ total students taught, and 5,500+ Class 1 Indian Army officers produced.

Commercially, Centurion Defence Academy is a privately held, founder-controlled company (Centurion Education Pvt. Ltd. as the academic entity) with no disclosed external equity funding, no public listing, and no revenue disclosure. Distribution extends through Google Play, Apple App Store, and Amazon/Flipkart for study materials; brand reach is amplified through government awards (Times Samman 2026, Ananya Samman 2025, Women Achievers Award 2025), partnerships with regional media (Amar Ujala, Dainik Jagran, Times Group), and the SRNTH outreach initiative targeting underprivileged aspirants. The stated company size is 11-50 employees while the broader team is described as 200+ professionals including contracted trainers and mentors.

Name

Centurion Defence Academy

Legal name

Centurion Defence Academy

Website

https://centuriondefenceacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centurion Defence Academy is an India-based coaching institute founded in 2008 that prepares defence aspirants for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, MNS and SSB interviews through integrated classroom programs in Lucknow and Dehradun, the Centurion Digital mobile platform, and retired armed-forces faculty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Exam Coaching

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Preparatory Schools & Academy Prep Programs (EDAHAOAI)

Keywords

• Defence exam coaching
• SSB interview training
• NDA preparation courses
• Military officer training
• AFCAT CDS coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Lucknow

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. SSB Interview Course Fees: 14-day intensive SSB Interview coaching program offered at both Lucknow and Dehradun centers at Rs 17,000 per course. One-time payment for comprehensive training including psychology sessions, GTO training, mock interviews, and materials.
2. NDA/CDS/AFCAT/MNS Classroom Courses: Comprehensive classroom coaching programs for written exams combined with SSB preparation. Offered in offline mode at Lucknow and Dehradun centers, with fees varying by program duration and type.
3. Online Courses via Centurion Digital: Online course delivery through mobile app with multiple batch plans (Paramveer Batch Plan 1, 2, 3) offering different price points. Includes live classes, recorded lectures, practice tests, and printed books in higher tiers.
4. Study Materials and Publications: Sale of expert-curated books and study materials including Ranneeti (India's No. 01 SSB Book), SSB OIR, and NDA KIT through Amazon and Flipkart marketplaces. Complimentary copies provided to enrolled students.
5. Hostel and Mess Facilities: On-campus accommodation with separate hostels for boys and girls, mess facilities with multi-cuisine options, AC/cooler rooms, CCTV surveillance. Provided at additional charges to residential students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Centurion Defence Academy is a coaching institute that prepares Indian defence aspirants for entry into the Armed Forces through classroom and online programs for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, MNS, and SSB interviews. Core offerings include a 14-day SSB Interview Course (Rs 17,000), full-length written exam courses for NDA/CDS/AFCAT/MNS, foundation courses for school students, and the Centurion Digital app for online learning.

Product overview

Centurion Defence Academy operates as a multi-product coaching ecosystem offering both offline classroom programs and online digital courses for defence exam preparation. The core offerings include NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and MNS written exam coaching integrated with comprehensive SSB interview preparation. The platform-plus-modules architecture centers on the Centurion Digital App as the online learning platform, supplemented by classroom courses at Lucknow and Dehradun centers, distance learning materials, and specialized programs like CPSS coaching for pilot aspirants. Foundation courses for Classes 9th, 11th, and 12th enable early-start preparation, while 14-day SSB Interview courses provide intensive interview training. The product portfolio also includes supplementary offerings like Sainik/RIMC/RMS coaching, Territorial Army preparation, ACC entry coaching, AFMC coaching, and Navy Agniveer programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centurion Digital: Official online learning platform of Centurion Defence Academy providing structured, disciplined, and result-oriented preparation for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, Air Force, Navy, MNS, and SSB Interviews through live classes, recorded lectures, practice tests, and study materials.

Products and services

• NDA Course Comprehensive coaching for the UPSC NDA written exam (Mathematics and General Ability Test) combined with SSB interview preparation, delivered through classroom and online modes for Class 12 students aspiring to enter the National Defence Academy.
• CDS Course Coaching for the UPSC Combined Defence Services written exam combined with SSB interview training, for graduates targeting officer entry into Indian Army (IMA/OTA), Navy (INET), or Air Force (AFSB).
• AFCAT Course Coaching for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) written exam with integrated AFSB interview preparation for graduates aspiring to Flying, Ground Duty (Technical/Non-Technical) officer positions in the Indian Air Force.
• MNS (Military Nursing Service) Course Coaching for the Military Nursing Service (MNS) exam combined with NEET preparation and SSB interview training, for female candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army's Military Nursing Service.
• SSB Interview Course 14-day intensive SSB interview coaching program priced at Rs 17,000 covering psychological testing (TAT, WAT, SRT, SDT), GTO tasks, personal interview preparation, and mock interviews with DIPR-trained ex-defence officers; offered at both Lucknow and Dehradun centers.
• CPSS Coaching Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) training with retired Indian Air Force pilots, covering the Cognitive Ability Test (212 questions, 2.5 hours) and Psychomotor Test (10 tests, 1.5 hours) for candidates targeting the IAF Flying branch.
• NDA 9th Foundation Course Early-stage NDA preparation program for Class 9 students combining regular schooling with NDA foundation training, focusing on academics, discipline, and personality development including GTO ground exposure.
• NDA 11th Foundation Course Integrated NDA preparation program for Class 11 students running parallel with senior secondary studies, covering Physics, Mathematics, English, and General Studies with personality development.
• NDA 12th Foundation Course Intensive NDA exam preparation for Class 12 students with complete syllabus coverage, revision, practice tests, and SSB interview exposure.
• Centurion Digital App Official online learning platform of Centurion Defence Academy available on Android (Google Play Store) and iOS (Apple App Store) offering interactive live classes, recorded lectures, eBooks, study materials, mock tests, and AI-based personalized mentorship for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, MNS, and SSB preparation.
• Sainik School / RIMC / RMS Coaching Entrance exam preparation for Sainik Schools, RIMC Dehradun, and Rashtriya Military Schools, for young students aspiring to join military schools.
• Territorial Army Coaching Preparation program for Territorial Army officer entry covering the written exam and SSB interview components.
• ACC (Army Cadet College) Coaching Coaching for the Army Cadet College (ACC) entry enabling serving jawans to become commissioned officers in the Indian Army through the ACC selection process.
• AFMC Coaching Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) entrance exam preparation for medical aspirants seeking careers as medical officers in the Indian Armed Forces.
• Navy Agniveer Coaching Indian Navy Agniveer exam preparation for candidates seeking to join the Indian Navy under the Agniveer scheme.
• Distance Learning Program (DLP) Self-study materials and resources shipped to students for defence exam preparation without attending live classroom sessions, enabling remote pan-India access.
• Ranneeti - SSB Book India's No. 01 SSB Book authored by founder Shishir Dixit providing case-study-based guidance for SSB, psychological assessments, and personal interview tips; sold via Amazon and Flipkart and provided complimentary to enrolled students.
• SSB Interview Champion Kit Premium combo kit bundling the Ranneeti and SSB OIR books, curated by Shishir Dixit and retired armed forces officers for comprehensive SSB interview preparation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3-4 officer selections every week
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Amar UjalacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Major media partnership for event coverage and student success stories. Centurion participated in Amar Ujala's prestigious 'Bhavishya Jyoti 2026' event in Lucknow. Media coverage includes NDA merit list results, student selections, and institutional achievements.
• Dainik JagranminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional newspaper coverage of Lt. Shashank Tiwari Kirti Naman 2026 and SRNTH 2.0 mock test announcements reaching millions of readers in Hindi heartland.
• Times GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Times Samman 2026 event featuring Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and CM Yogi Adityanath, creating high-visibility platform for brand recognition.
• SRNTH InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative to identify, nurture, and uplift talent from underprivileged backgrounds by reaching villages and small towns. Collaborates with government bodies, Armed Forces, and military schools to ensure no deserving aspirant is left behind in achieving defence career dreams.
• Hindustan, NBT, Apki Khabar, Inqlabi NazarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional media partnerships for SRNTH 2.0 mock test announcements and student selection news reaching diverse regional audiences.
• Google (Play Store)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Centurion Digital App through Google Play Store enabling pan-India reach for online courses and digital learning platform.
• Apple (App Store)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership for Centurion Digital App through Apple App Store enabling iOS users to access online courses and digital learning platform.
• Amazon IndiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketplace partnership for selling Centurion Publications books including Ranneeti SSB book and study materials through Amazon.in.
• FlipkartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketplace partnership for selling Centurion Publications books through Flipkart e-commerce platform.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Allen Career Institute: Large Indian coaching brand with a strong defence exam vertical alongside engineering and medical prep. While broader in scope, its NDA/AFCAT offerings and physical center model are comparable to Centurion's offline business.
• Unacademy: Large Indian edtech platform offering courses across multiple competitive exams including NDA and CDS. Competes with Centurion Digital in the online segment with vastly greater capital and marketing scale, though it lacks Centurion's specialized SSB physical infrastructure.
• BYJU'S: India's largest edtech company with test-prep offerings spanning multiple exams. While defence prep is a smaller vertical for BYJU'S, its scale, brand, and capital access set the competitive ceiling for specialist players like Centurion.
• PhysicsWallah: Major Indian edtech platform with growing presence in defence and government exam verticals. Represents a well-capitalized incumbent that can undercut specialized players on price while expanding course breadth.

Direct peers

• SSBCrack: Specialized SSB interview preparation platform offering online courses, mock tests, and psychological test practice. Direct competitor in the SSB training niche, particularly competing with Centurion Digital for online SSB aspirants.
• Cavalier India: One of India's largest dedicated defence exam coaching institutes offering NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and SSB interview preparation across multiple centers. Direct competitor with overlapping curriculum, SSB training methodology, and target student segments.
• Baalnoi Academy: Defence exam coaching institute focused on NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and SSB interview preparation with physical centers and online courses. Comparable to Centurion in scale, course portfolio, and reliance on outcome-led marketing.
• Warriors Defence Academy: Indian defence coaching institute offering NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and SSB preparation with physical centers and online programs. Comparable in target market, course portfolio, and reliance on outcome-driven marketing.
• Major Kalshi Classes: Multi-category Indian coaching institute with a significant defence exam vertical alongside banking, SSC, and other government exams. Comparable business model combining classroom and online delivery for defence aspirants.

Regional players

• Shaurya Defence Academy: Indian defence coaching institute serving a similar student base but with a more regional footprint. Comparable curriculum and target customer, though Centurion's brand and digital reach are significantly larger.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CenturionDefenceAcademy
• Xx.com/centurionaca
• Facebookfacebook.com/Centurionacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centuriondefenceacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centurion Defence Academy