NDA Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Qualification and Gender
To be eligible for the NDA exam, candidates must be unmarried male or female citizens aged between 16.5 and 19.5 years and must have passed or be appearing in Class 12. For the Air Force and Naval wings, Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 are mandatory, while any stream is eligible for the Army wing.
900 marks total in the written exam determine initial candidate selection alongside 152 cm to 162.5 cm minimum height requirements across branches. Read below for detailed information on age limits, date of birth ranges, wing-wise educational qualifications, gender eligibility, physical standards, visual standards, and nationality criteria.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 16.5 to 19.5 years |
| Army Wing Qualification | Passed or appearing in Class 12 in any stream |
| Air Force & Navy Qualification | Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics & Mathematics |
| Gender & Marital Status | Unmarried males and females |
| Minimum 12th Percentage | No minimum percentage requirement |
| Minimum Height (Army Male) | 157 cm (152 cm for Female) |
| Number of Attempts | No fixed attempt limit (approx. 4-5 attempts based on age) |
NDA Exam Eligibility
Applicants must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old to qualify. UPSC provides no age relaxation for reserved category candidates including SC, ST, OBC, or EWS.
| NDA Wing | Required Educational Qualification | Eligible Streams |
|---|---|---|
| Army Wing | Passed or appearing in Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board | Any stream (Arts, Science, Commerce) |
| Air Force Wing | Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | Science stream with PCM |
| Naval Wing & 10+2 Cadet Entry (INA) | Passed or appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | Science stream with PCM |
There is no minimum Class 12 percentage required to sit for the exam. However, candidates currently studying in Class 11 are not eligible to apply.
| Height (in cm) | Minimum Weight for All Ages (kg) | Weight for Age 17 to 20 yrs (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | 35.3 | 43.1 |
| 145 | 37.8 | 46.3 |
| 150 | 40.5 | 49.5 |
| 152 | 41.6 | 50.8 |
| 160 | 46.1 | 56.3 |
Unmarried female candidates are eligible for NDA and Indian Naval Academy courses. Selected cadets must remain unmarried during training, as marrying leads to discharge.
| Wing | Male Minimum Height | Female Minimum Height |
|---|---|---|
| Army Wing | 157 cm | 152 cm |
| Air Force Wing | 162.5 cm | 152 cm |
| Naval Wing | 157 cm | 152 cm |
Height relaxations of 5 cm apply to Gorkhas and North-East hilly region applicants, while Lakshadweep candidates receive 2 cm relaxation.
- Applicants must be Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees settled permanently in India before January 1, 1962.
- Candidates who previously failed the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) or Instrument Battery Test (INSB) are ineligible for the Air Force wing.
Candidates must satisfy all physical, visual, and citizenship standards to avoid disqualification during medical evaluation.
NDA Exam Entrance Exams
- Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) twice a year.
- Written Exam Marks: The written NDA exam carries 900 marks, comprising 300 marks for Mathematics and 600 marks for the General Ability Test (GAT).
- Qualifying Standard: Candidates must score a minimum of 20 to 25 per cent in each subject in the written exam to qualify.
- Attempt Limit: Candidates meeting the age bracket generally get 4 to 5 attempts, with no minimum Class 12 percentage requirement to sit for the NDA entrance exam.
The Union Public Service Commission conducts the NDA entrance examination twice annually for eligible candidates. Aspirants generally get 4 to 5 attempts within the age bracket and must meet the subject-wise qualifying percentage.
Documents Required
- Class 10 or matriculation certificate for date of birth verification
- Class 12 mark sheet or proof of passing or appearing in Class 12
- Certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India for applicable nationality categories
Candidates must ensure that their date of birth matches their matriculation certificate. These certificates are submitted after the declaration of the written exam results to verify age, qualification, and citizenship eligibility.
How to Apply for NDA Exam Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check eligibility: Verify that your age is between 16.5 and 19.5 years and you meet the Class 12 passing or appearing condition.
- Register for NDA exam: Fill out the online application form on the official UPSC application portal (upsconline.nic.in) before the notified deadline.
- Appear for NDA written examination: Take the offline written exam comprising Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks), securing at least 20-25% in each subject.
- Attend SSB Interview: Candidates clearing the written exam cut-off are called for the 900-mark Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process.
- Undergo physical and medical examination: Complete intensive medical screening by Armed Forces Medical Services to verify height, weight, visual standards, and general fitness.
- Submit documents and join NDA: Submit Class 10/12 certificates for proof of date of birth and educational qualification to secure final merit listing and academy entry.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Official notification releases, syllabus guidelines, and res | UPSC Official Portal | upsc.gov.in |
| Online application form registration and fee submission | UPSC Online Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
FAQs
Is % required for NDA?
No, there is no minimum percentage requirement in Class 12 for the NDA exam. You only need to pass or be appearing in Class 12 from a recognized board.
Can girls give the NDA exam?
Yes, following the Supreme Court ruling, unmarried female candidates are eligible to apply for all wings of the National Defence Academy under the same age criteria as male candidates.
What is the age limit for the NDA exam in 2026?
Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old. For NDA 1 2026, candidates must be born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010.
Is there any age relaxation for SC, ST, or OBC candidates in NDA?
No, UPSC does not provide any age relaxation for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) in the NDA examination.
Can Class 11 students apply for the NDA exam?
No, candidates currently studying in Class 11 are not eligible to apply for the NDA examination.
How many attempts are allowed for the NDA exam?
There is no fixed limit on attempts. Candidates can attempt the NDA exam as long as they fall within the 16.5 to 19.5 age bracket (usually 4 to 5 attempts).
