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NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025, Age Limit and Educational Qualifications

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has established strict age criteria for the NDA 2025 exam. As per the eligibility requirements, only unmarried male and female candidates aged between 16.5 and 19.5 years are eligible to apply. This age limit applies to all categories, including OBC, and is a key factor in determining eligibility. Candidates must ensure they meet this age range by the exam date, as those who exceed it will not qualify for the NDA selection process. Always refer to the official UPSC notification for precise details and updates on eligibility.

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025

According to the official NDA 2025 notification, only unmarried male and female candidates born between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008, are eligible to apply. This means that the NDA 2025 age limit for all candidates falls between 16.5 and 19.5 years. The NDA 2 2025 exam is scheduled for September 1, 2025. Candidates are advised to arrive at the examination center at least one hour before the closing time. They must carry a photo ID and their admit card to gain entry.

NDA Age Limit 2025

In the official NDA notification 2025, the Union Public Service Commission has stipulated the age limit for aspiring candidates. According to the UPSC 2025 eligibility criteria, individuals born between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008, are eligible to apply online for the National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) exam. Additionally, candidates from reserved categories are entitled to NDA age relaxation by UPSC rules. For a comprehensive understanding of the NDA age limit and age relaxation, refer to the tables provided below:

UPSC NDA Age Limit 2025

Exam Date of Birth Criteria Maximum Age for NDA
NDA (1) 2025 July 2, 2005, to July 1, 2008 19.5
NDA (2) 2025 July 2, 2005, to July 1, 2008 19.5

NDA Age Limit For Girl

  • The age limit for female candidates applying for the NDA Exam 2025 is between 16.5 and 19.5 years.
  • Girl applicants must be within this age bracket from 16.5 to 19.5 years old on the 1st of July of the year of examination in order to be eligible for the NDA exam.
  • Upper and lower age limits apply equally to both girls and boys intending to sit for the NDA selection process.
  • Not meeting the minimum or maximum age limit will make a candidate disqualified to appear for the NDA examination,
Criteria Details
Age Limit for NDA Exam 2025
16.5 to 19.5 years
Eligibility Date
Candidate must be within the age bracket of 16.5 to 19.5 years as of July 1, 2025
Applicable to
Both male and female candidates
Disqualification Criteria
Candidates not meeting the minimum (16.5) or maximum (19.5) age limit will be disqualified

NDA Age Limit For Boys

The age limit for boys candidates applying for the NDA Exam 2025 is between 16.5 and 19.5 years. Not meeting the minimum or maximum age limit will make a candidate disqualified to appear for the NDA examination,

Criteria Details
Age Limit for NDA Exam
16.5 to 19.5 years
Eligibility Date
Candidate must be within the age bracket of 16.5 to 19.5 years as of July 1 of the examination year
Applicable to
Both male and female candidates
Disqualification Criteria
Candidates not meeting the minimum (16.5) or maximum (19.5) age limit will be disqualified

NDA Age Limit for Category wise

For the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam by UPSC, all candidates, including those from the OBC category, must meet the same age limit of 16.5 to 19.5 years at the time of course commencement. Unlike other UPSC exams, no age relaxation is provided for OBC or any other categories. Eligible candidates must have been born between January 2 and July 1 of the examination year. Always check the official UPSC notification for the latest updates.

Category Age Limit
Additional Age Relaxation
General Category 16.5 to 19.5 years None
OBC Category 16.5 to 19.5 years None
SC/ST Category 16.5 to 19.5 years None

Candidate can solve the NDA Previous Year Question Paper Here!

NDA Nationality Criteria 2025

According to the UPSC NDA notification 2025, eligibility for the NDA exam extends to Indian citizens meeting specific criteria as outlined by the Commission:

Candidates who qualify as:

  • Citizens of India
  • Subjects of Nepal
  • Subjects of Bhutan
  • Individuals of Indian origin who migrated from Zaire, Ethiopia, East African Countries of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Burma, Pakistan, Zambia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam to settle in India
  • Tibetan refugees who arrived in India and settled before January 1, 1962

These categories encompass individuals eligible to apply for the NDA examination as specified in the UPSC Notification 2025.

Aspirants can check out UPSC NDA Salary 2025 Here!

NDA Educational Qualifications 2025

To take the NDA exam and proceed in the recruiting process, candidates must have the necessary qualifications. The table below illustrates the specifics of the candidates’ educational requirements.

Academy Educational Qualification
NDA Course (For Army Wing) 12th Class pass of the 10 + 2 education pattern or equivalent exam organized by the State Education Board or University.
NDA Course (For Air Force and Naval Wings) 12th Class pass in the 10+2 education pattern with the subjects of math, physics, and chemistry, or examinations equivalently conducted by a state education board or a university.

NDA Physical Eligibility Criteria 2025

Medical Criteria Requirements
Tattoos Limited to wrist to inside of the elbow and back of the hand. Exceptions for tribal candidates with traditional face or body tattoos.
Chest Measurements Not less than 81 cm during full expansion, with at least 5 cm expansion after inspiration.
Mental Fitness No history of mental breakdowns. Average-sized liver and spleen.
Hernias Untreated hernias result in disqualification. Operation should be performed one year prior to the final medical examination.
Bones and Joints No impairment, appropriate development required.
Hearing Ability Able to hear a whisper with each ear at 610 cm. No ear, nose, or throat problems.
Blood Pressure Must be within normal range.
Heart and Blood Vessels Free of biological or functional diseases.
Skin and Other Conditions No skin diseases, hydrocele, varicocele, piles.
Abdominal Organs and Urine No ailments affecting internal abdominal organs. Abnormalities in urine lead to disqualification.
Dental Health Sufficient healthy and natural teeth, with at least 14 dental points.
USG Abdomen Mandatory for all candidates.

These standards ensure candidates possess the necessary physical health for service in the NDA and Naval Academy.

Height and Weight Requirements for Army, Navy and Air Force

  • The NDA eligibility requirements depend largely on the height and weight of the candidate.
  • An applicant must be physically fit to be considered for the defence exam.
  • The height and weight restrictions in the NDA examinations are the primary requirements of the candidates, and only the grounds they specify will result in relaxation.
  • Below, we have provided a detailed list of the weight and height required for NDA.

Candidates can check out NDA Selection Process 2025 Here!

NDA Height For Girls

Army Navy Air Force
Female Candidates Height 152 cm 152 cm 163 cm
Gorkhas and candidates belonging to the Hills of the North Eastern region of India, Garhwal and Kumaon 148 cm 147 cm 147 cm
Ground Duty Branch _ _ 152 cm
Lakshadweep _ 150 cm 150 cm

NDA Height For Boys

Army Navy Air Force
Male Candidates Height 157 cm 157 cm 163 cm
Gorkhas and candidates belonging to the Hills of the North Eastern region of India, Garhwal and Kumaon 152 cm 152 cm 152.5 cm
Ground Duty Branch _ _ 157.5 cm
Lakshadweep _ 155 cm 155.5 cm

Candidates Exceptions Based on Region

For Army and Air Force

Height (in cms) Weight (in kgs)
16-17 Years 17-18 Years 18-19 Years
152 42.5 44.0 45.0
155 43.5 45.3 47.0
157 45.0 47.0 48.0
160 46.0 48.0 49.0
162 48.0 50.0 51.0
165 50.0 52.0 53.0
167 51.0 53.0 54.0
170 52.5 55.0 56.0
173 54.5 57.0 58.0
175 56.0 59.0 60.0
178 58.0 61.0 62.0
180 60.0 63.0 64.5
183 62.5 65.0 66.5

For Navy

Height (in cms) Weight (in kgs)
16 Years 18 Years 20 Years
152 44 45 46
155 45 46 47
157 46 47 49
160 47 48 50
162 48 50 52
165 50 52 53
167 52 53 55
170 53 55 57
173 55 57 59
175 57 59 61
178 59 61 62
180 61 63 64
183 63 65 67

Sitting Height, Leg Length and Thigh Length in Air Force for Both Male and Female Candidates

Height Requirements Minimum Maximum
Sitting eight 81.5 cm 96.0 cm
Leg Length 99.0 cm 120.0 cm
Thigh Length Maximum- 64.0 cm

NDA Vision Standards

A candidate recruited for the NDA exam 2025 represents our nation and carries a lot of duties and responsibilities. It is essential for a candidate to fulfil the medical standards in good health. A medical examination for eyesight standards is one of the key prerequisites for NDA eligibility 2025. Vision NDA medical test requirements are as follows:

  • The better eye’s corrected distance vision should be 6/6 while the weaker eyes should be 6/9.
  • More than 2.5 D of myopia is prohibited.
  • Astigmatism and hypermetropia over 3.5 D are not permitted.
  • No candidates for the Indian Air Force may wear eyeglasses.
Category Naval Air Force
Uncorrected Vision 6/6 6/6, 6/9
Corrected Vision 6/6 6/6 (only for Hypermetropia)
Limits of Myopia -0.75 D Sph Nil
Limits of Hypermetropia +1.5 D Cyl +2.00 D Sph
Limits of Colour Perception I Nil
Binocular Vision III Nil
Manifest Myopia N.A. Nil Re
Tinoscopic Myopia N.A. 0.5
Colour Vision N.A. CP-I (MLT)
Astigmatism (Within limits of myopia and hypermetropia) N.A. +0.75 D Sph /Cyl (within + 2.0 D Max)
Near Vision N.A. N-5 each eye

NDA Marital Status

  • Candidates intending to participate in the UPSC NDA 1 and 2 exams in 2025 are required to be unmarried and must maintain their unmarried status throughout the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy training.
  • If a candidate chooses to marry during the UPSC NDA training, they will be discharged from the Academy.

Candidates can check NDA Exam Pattern 2025 Here!

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NDA Age Limit FAQs

Who is eligible for NDA?

Candidates who have completed class 12 or are currently enrolled in class 12 and are 15.7 years/ 16 years to 19 years of age can apply for the NDA 2023 exam.

Can 12th pass apply for NDA?

Yes, 12th pass candidates can apply for the NDA exam 2023 which is conducted by UPSC, twice a year.

Is 12th percentage required for NDA?

No, You merely need to pass the 12th board exam with any percentage of the required marks in order to take the NDA exam 2023. Only the results of the NDA written test are used to determine the further SSB round and Physical & medical examination.

What is the height limit for NDA?

The required height limit of a candidate is 157 cm. (For the Indian Air Force, it is 162.5 cm). For a complete understanding of the eligibility criteria of the NDA exam, check the NDA's specific height and weight criteria.

Does the NDA have a physical test?

Yes, the NDA exam required a Physical and medical examination after qualifying for the written exam of the NDA.

Can 20 year old apply for NDA?

According to the NDA eligibility requirements, only unmarried male and female applicants between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 are qualified to take the exam.

Can I join NDA after 11th?

After passing the class 10th exam, you can begin preparing for the NDA exam from class 11th, but you must have a thorough understanding of the entire syllabus of the NDA exam.

Who are eligible for NDA 1 2024?

As per the official notification, only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than 02nd July 2005 and not later than 1st July 2008 can apply for the post. The NDA 2024 age limit will be between 16.5 years and 19.5 years for all the categories.

About the Author

I, Sakshi Gupta, am a content writer to empower students aiming for UPSC, PSC, and other competitive exams. My objective is to provide clear, concise, and informative content that caters to your exam preparation needs. I strive to make my content not only informative but also engaging, keeping you motivated throughout your journey!