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NDA

A (NDA), also referred to as a confidentiality agreement, is a legally enforceable between at least two parties that restricts the unauthorized disclosure or use of proprietary, sensitive, or confidential information exchanged for specified purposes, such as business negotiations or collaborations. NDAs typically define the scope of protected information—often including trade secrets, technical data, business strategies, or unpublished inventions—while outlining obligations like non-use, return of materials upon termination, and remedies for breaches, such as injunctive relief or . NDAs exist in three primary forms: unilateral (one-way, where only one party discloses information, common in employer-employee contexts or vendor evaluations), bilateral or mutual (two-way, protecting both parties' information during joint ventures or mergers), and multilateral (involving multiple parties, such as in complex licensing deals). They are widely employed to safeguard and competitive advantages in scenarios like potential acquisitions, product development partnerships, hiring key personnel, or pitching ideas to investors, thereby facilitating trust without immediate full disclosure. Enforceability depends on factors like reasonable scope, duration (often 1-5 years or perpetual for trade secrets), and compliance with ; overly broad terms may be invalidated by courts if they resemble restraints on trade or suppress on illegal activities. While NDAs have long protected legitimate business interests, they have drawn scrutiny for enabling the concealment of misconduct, particularly in employment disputes involving , , or corporate malfeasance, as highlighted by revelations during movements like #MeToo that exposed their role in silencing victims through severance packages. In response, legislative reforms have emerged, such as the U.S. of 2022, which voids predispute NDAs and non-disparagement clauses in or cases, and FTC rules targeting overly restrictive employment NDAs that hinder reporting to authorities. These developments underscore a tension between NDAs' utility in fostering innovation and their potential, when misused, to prioritize institutional secrecy over accountability, prompting calls for narrower drafting to exclude disclosures.

Business and legal uses

Non-disclosure agreement

A (NDA), also known as a confidentiality agreement, is a legally binding between two or more parties that prohibits the disclosure of specified confidential information to unauthorized individuals or entities. It establishes a confidential to safeguard , secrets, strategies, or other sensitive materials shared during negotiations, collaborations, or . NDAs derive from general principles of , requiring mutual assent, , and specificity to be enforceable, with roots in protections for secrets dating back centuries but formalized in modern usage through statutes like the in the United States, adopted by 48 states as of 2023. NDAs typically include unilateral provisions, where one party discloses information to another (e.g., a sharing prototypes with a potential ), or mutual terms, applicable when both parties exchange sensitive data (e.g., in joint ventures). Essential elements encompass identification of the parties involved, a precise definition of what constitutes confidential information (often excluding publicly available data or independently developed knowledge), obligations of the receiving party to maintain secrecy and limit use to the agreed purpose, exclusions for legally required disclosures, a defined duration (commonly 1-5 years post-termination for secrets), and remedies for such as injunctions, monetary damages, or clauses. In the U.S., these must protect legitimate business interests without unduly restricting employee mobility or concerns, as overly broad NDAs risk invalidation under doctrines like . Enforceability hinges on reasonableness in scope, duration, and geographic limits, varying by jurisdiction; for instance, courts scrutinize NDAs more stringently under Labor Code Section 16600, which voids contracts restraining lawful professions unless narrowly tailored to trade secrets. Courts may grant injunctive relief to prevent disclosure or award actual damages proven through of economic loss, but NDAs cannot override statutory whistleblower protections, such as those under the of 2016, which immunizes good-faith disclosures to government authorities. Breaches have led to high-profile litigation, including Waymo's 2017 lawsuit against alleging misappropriation of self-driving technology by former employees, resulting in a $245 million in 2018 despite NDA claims, highlighting enforcement challenges when of prior knowledge exists. In business contexts, NDAs facilitate by allowing without risking competitive leaks, with surveys indicating over 90% of U.S. companies use them routinely in deal processes as of 2023. They also appear in contracts to protect , though limitations arise in abuse or discrimination settlements, where may render silencing clauses unenforceable, as seen in post-#MeToo reforms like New York's 2020 ban on NDAs in cases. While effective for preserving competitive edges, NDAs carry risks of overreach, potentially stifling innovation or valid disclosures, and require careful drafting to withstand .

Political coalitions

National Democratic Alliance (India)

The (NDA) is a multi-party political coalition in dominated by the (BJP), formed to consolidate non-Congress forces and promote governance focused on , , and Hindu cultural priorities. Established on 15 May 1998, the alliance aimed to counter the Indian National Congress's long-standing dominance by uniting regional parties wary of single-party rule. The NDA's foundational charter emphasized mutual respect among members while prioritizing coalition stability over ideological uniformity, enabling it to absorb diverse regional interests. In its early phase, the NDA secured a narrow victory in the 1998 general elections, installing as prime minister, but the government collapsed after 13 days when allies withdrew support over nuclear test-related sanctions. It regrouped to win the 1999 elections, forming a stable that lasted until 2004, during which it pursued infrastructure development, the highway project, and privatization efforts amid external pressures like the . The alliance lost power in 2004 and 2009 to Congress-led governments, attributed partly to agrarian distress and anti-incumbency, though it maintained organizational strength through BJP's grassroots expansion. The NDA returned to power decisively in 2014 under , capturing 336 seats collectively and enabling reforms such as the Tax implementation and demonetization, which aimed to formalize the despite short-term disruptions. Re-elected in 2019 with 353 seats, the coalition advanced initiatives like the abrogation of Article 370 in and the Citizenship Amendment Act, reflecting its emphasis on national integration and security. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 240 seats—short of a solo majority—but the NDA as a whole obtained sufficient support to form the government on 9 June 2024, marking Modi's third term and underscoring the coalition's role in bridging BJP's national appeal with regional partners' local leverage. As of October 2025, the NDA holds the central government and controls 20 state assemblies or union territories, with key allies including the Janata Dal (United) under Nitish Kumar, the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party. The coalition's seat-sharing in upcoming Bihar assembly elections allocates 101 seats each to BJP and JD(U), signaling pragmatic adjustments to maintain unity amid opposition challenges from the INDIA bloc. While BJP's ideological core drives the alliance—prioritizing development and cultural nationalism over welfare populism—internal dynamics reveal tensions, as evidenced by past ally defections and the need for consensus on policies like farm laws, which were repealed in 2021 following protests. This structure has sustained NDA's electoral resilience, governing the center for over 16 of the past 25 years, though reliance on regional satraps limits unilateral BJP actions compared to its 2014-2019 majority phases.

Military institutions

National Defence Academy (India)

The National Defence Academy (NDA) serves as the primary joint training institution for officer cadets of the , , and , fostering integrated military leadership through a unified curriculum. Located at Khadakwasla, approximately 17 kilometers from in , it spans 7,015 acres and operates as the world's first tri-service academy, where cadets from all three branches train together from the outset. Established to streamline post-independence military education and reduce silos among services, the NDA has commissioned over 38,000 officers since inception, including more than 1,000 from 32 foreign nations and two Chiefs of Defence Staff. The academy's origins trace to a 1946 committee under Prime Minister , which recommended a joint services modeled on lines to cultivate unified command structures. This led to the formation of the interim Joint Services Wing (JSW) on January 1, 1949, initially at Clementi Town in , with the foundation stone for the permanent Khadakwasla site laid on October 6, 1949. The relocation via Operation 'Badli' occurred in 1954, culminating in the NDA's formal inauguration on December 7, 1954, marking the shift to comprehensive tri-service integration. In 2024, the academy commemorated 75 years of operations with events under the theme "Forging Joint Military Leadership," including seminars, expeditions to India's extremities, and a car rally retracing JSW-NDA history. Admission occurs biannually via the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA/NA) administered by the (UPSC), targeting unmarried candidates aged 16.5 to 19.5 years with education or equivalent. The process entails a written exam covering (300 marks) and general ability (600 marks, including English, physics, chemistry, , , and ), followed by a five-day (SSB) assessment evaluating psychological aptitude, group tasks, and officer-like qualities. Successful candidates undergo medical examinations before induction; approximately 400 cadets enter each batch, allocated roughly 335 to , 55 to , and 60 to wings. The NDA's three-year program divides into six terms, blending academic rigor equivalent to a or degree from with military and physical conditioning. Academics encompass physics, chemistry, mathematics, English, foreign languages (such as , , , or ), , and , delivered through lectures, seminars, and computer-based modules. Military training includes weapons handling, field exercises, tactics, and leadership drills, while physical regimen features obstacle courses, cross-country runs, , equitation, sailing, and adventure activities like paragliding and rafting to build endurance and teamwork. Cadets reside in 18 squadrons across four battalions, adhering to a strict routine emphasizing discipline, with evaluations via continuous assessments and term-end exams. Graduates proceed to the (), (Ezhimala), or Air Force Academy (Dundigal) for 1-1.5 years of branch-specific training before commissioning as lieutenants, sub-lieutenants, or flying officers. Commanded by a three-star rotating among services, the current is Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, AVSM, NM, who assumed office on May 25, 2024, succeeding Vice Admiral . The academy maintains four directorates—academics, military training, physical and adventure training, and administration—overseen by the , with support from permanent staff and visiting specialists. Its emphasis on jointmanship has proven causally effective in enhancing operational cohesion, as evidenced by alumni performance in conflicts like the and 1971 wars, where integrated training facilitated coordinated maneuvers.

Nigerian Defence Academy

The (NDA) is a joint-service institution located in , , established on 5 1964 to meet the defense requirements of post- by cadets for commissioning into the , , and . Its predecessor was the Royal Forces (RMFTC), a British-established facility that trained Nigerian prior to ; following 's 1960 , it was renamed the Nigerian before evolving into the NDA to centralize and indigenize education. The NDA operates as Nigeria's premier military university, delivering a five-year Regular Combatant Course that integrates four years of academic instruction—culminating in a —with one year of intensive basic , after which cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants or equivalent ranks. Academic programs are structured across five faculties: Arts and Social Sciences (including departments like , History and , and ), Science (covering , , and Biological Sciences), Engineering (with disciplines such as Civil, Electrical/Electronics, and ), Management Sciences (featuring and ), and (encompassing Cyber Security, and , and ). This curriculum emphasizes intellectual rigor, , and values aligned with military service, preparing cadets for operational roles in a multi-branch force. Admissions into the Regular Combatant Course are competitive and annual, targeting unmarried Nigerian citizens aged 17-21 who meet minimum (UTME) scores (typically 180 or higher) and pass aptitude tests, medical screenings, and interviews; for the 77th course commencing in 2025, successful and reserve candidates were announced in August 2025 via the NDA portal. The maintains a Directorate of Training for discipline and physical conditioning, alongside academic branches for degree conferment, operating under the oversight of the to ensure alignment with needs.

Other organizations and uses

National Disability Authority (Ireland)

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is an independent established to provide evidence-based advice and to the government on policy and practice. It was founded on 12 June 2000 under the National Disability Authority Act 1999, which defined its initial mandate to advise the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on matters relating to the welfare of persons with disabilities. The NDA's role expanded with the Disability Act 2005, incorporating additional responsibilities such as developing standards and codes of practice, and it now operates under the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The NDA's principal statutory functions, as outlined in the 1999 and 2005 Acts, include advising the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on policy and practice issues affecting persons with disabilities; undertaking research to inform such advice; proposing standards and codes of practice for service provision; and monitoring compliance with targets for persons with disabilities (currently set at 3% under the 2005 Act). It also coordinates related policies across government departments, supports public bodies in aligning with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ratified by in 2018), and promotes principles to enhance accessibility in built environments, products, and services. The NDA operates the Centre for Excellence in , which develops guidelines such as the seven principles of universal design, and monitors implementation of directives like the EU Web Accessibility Directive (effective 2020) and the forthcoming (effective 28 June 2025). In governance, the NDA is overseen by a board appointed by the Minister for Children, , , and , typically comprising individuals with expertise in disability matters, with terms up to four years; for example, the current board was appointed in recent years including members like Adrian Carroll serving until 2026. The organization conducts independent and publishes reports on topics including ethical guidelines for disability (updated from 2005 guidelines), practices in the , and transitions for young people with disabilities from to . It also submits policy advice to government, such as on under the 2017 Act (first report in 2021), and evaluates progress toward national disability strategies aligned with UNCRPD obligations. Funding primarily comes from government grants, enabling annual outputs like strategic plans (e.g., 2025-2027 focusing on and evidence-informed policy).

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