The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the gateway for students who dream of joining the Indian Armed Forces. Every year, thousands of aspirants appear for the NDA exam to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. However, before you start preparing, it is important to understand the NDA eligibility criteria, including age limit, educational qualification, height, and physical standards.
At Nation Defence Academy, we guide students not only for written exams and SSB interviews but also ensure they meet the official eligibility requirements.
NDA Eligibility Criteria – Overview
The NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year – NDA 1 and NDA 2. The eligibility criteria are set by the UPSC in consultation with the Ministry of Defence. Candidates must meet these conditions to apply:
Nationality Age Limit & Marital Status Educational Qualification Physical and Medical Standards
Nationality
To apply for NDA, the candidate must be: A citizen of India, OR A subject of Nepal, OR A subject of Bhutan, OR A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention to settle permanently, OR A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia with the intention to settle permanently in India.
Candidates from categories 2–5 must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
NDA Age Limit & Marital Status
The NDA age limit is strictly defined, and candidates must match the date of birth criteria mentioned in the official notification.
Minimum Age: 16.5 years
Maximum Age: 19.5 years
The candidate must have been born between the start and end date mentioned in the official UPSC notification for that year. Only unmarried male and female candidates can apply for NDA. Candidates must remain unmarried until they complete training at NDA/INA.
NDA Educational Qualification
The NDA exam has different educational requirements for Army, Navy, and Air Force wings.
✔ For Indian Army Wing: ✔ Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board. Stream: Any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) can apply.
For Indian Navy & Air Force Wings:
✔ Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board.
✔ Stream: Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects.
For Candidates Appearing in Class 12:
✔ Students appearing in Class 12 can also apply, but they must submit proof of passing before joining NDA.
NDA Height Eligibility
Height requirements vary depending on the service (Army, Navy, Air Force) and gender.
Minimum Height Standards: ✔ Army: 157 cm (for male candidates), 152 cm (for female candidates)
✔ Navy: 157 cm (male), 152 cm (female)
✔ Air Force: 162.5 cm (male), 152 cm (female)
Relaxations:
✔ Gorkhas and candidates from North-Eastern states: 5 cm relaxation
✔ Lakshadweep candidates: 2 cm relaxation
NDA Weight Eligibility
Weight is checked according to the height-weight chart provided by UPSC. Both underweight and overweight candidates can be declared unfit. Maintaining proper BMI is important.
Example: Height 157 cm → Weight should be between 49–52 kg (depending on age)
NDA Physical Fitness Requirements
The NDA requires candidates to be physically and mentally fit. Common requirements include:
✔ No history of mental breakdown or severe illness
✔ No deformity of the spine (e.g., scoliosis, kyphosis)
✔ No flat feet or knock knees
✔ Chest should be well-developed (minimum expansion: 5 cm)
✔ Normal hearing without any defect
✔ Eyesight should be within the required standards
NDA Eyesight Standards
✔ For Army:
✔ Better eye: 6/6
✔ Worse eye: 6/9
✔ Myopia: Not more than -2.5D
✔ Hypermetropia: Not more than +3.5D
For Navy & Air Force:
✔ Better eye: 6/6
✔ Worse eye: 6/6
✔ Myopia: Not more than -0.75D (Air Force)
✔ Hypermetropia: +1.5D (Air Force)
NDA Physical Activities Recommended Before SSB
To clear the physical tests at NDA, candidates should practice:
✔ Running 2.4 km in under 15 minutes
✔ Skipping and rope climbing
✔ Push-ups (minimum 20)
✔ Sit-ups (minimum 20)
✔ Chin-ups (minimum 8)
✔ Swimming (optional but recommended)
NDA Medical Test at SSB
After clearing the written exam and SSB interview, candidates undergo a complete medical examination at a military hospital. This includes:
✔ X-ray of chest and spine
✔ Eye and ear examination
✔ Blood and urine tests
✔ Dental check-up
✔ Orthopedic assessment
Key Points to Remember for NDA Eligibility
✔ Meet all eligibility conditions before applying – no relaxation in age limit.
✔ Keep original documents ready for verification during SSB.
✔ Maintain good physical fitness throughout preparation.
✔ Female candidates have the same eligibility criteria as males, except for certain height standards.
How Nation Defence Academy Helps in NDA Preparation
At Nation Defence Academy, we prepare aspirants for every stage of NDA selection:
✔ Written Exam Coaching – Maths, GAT, English
✔ SSB Interview Training – GTO tasks, personal interviews, psychological tests
✔ Physical Training – Outdoor activities, running, obstacle courses
✔ Medical Fitness Guidance – Tips to meet height, weight, and eyesight standards
Our trainers include ex-Defence officers and SSB experts who understand the exact requirements for success.
Understanding the NDA eligibility criteria, age limit, qualification, height, and physical standards is the first step towards your dream career in the Armed Forces. Many candidates prepare hard but get rejected because they did not check the basic requirements.
If you meet all the conditions and are ready to work hard, Nation Defence Academy will guide you from application to final selection.
FAQs About Eligibility Criteria
At Nation Defence Academy, we guide candidates as per UPSC norms:
- For Army Wing: Must have passed 10+2 (Class 12) or equivalent from a recognized board.
- For Air Force & Naval Wings: Must have passed 10+2 (Class 12) with Physics and Mathematics as subjects.
Yes, students appearing in the final year of 12th can apply. At Nation Defence Academy, we provide NDA Foundation courses for Class 11th & 12th students to prepare early.
- Candidates must be 16.5 to 19.5 years old.
- Nation Defence Academy experts guide you on correct DOB calculations for eligibility.
Yes, we offer residential coaching with world-class hostel and mess facilities.
Yes, females can apply for NDA. Nation Defence Academy provides special training programs for female aspirants.
You must be:
- A citizen of India, OR
- A subject of Nepal, OR
- A person of Indian origin from certain countries intending to settle in India.
Our team at Nation Defence Academy will guide you through the document verification process.