NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024: NDA 2 Age Limit, Qualification, Height, Physical Eligibility

NDA Eligibility 2024: Are you applying for NDA 2024? If yes, check here the NDA eligibility criteria in terms of NDA age limit, NDA qualification, nationality, and physical standards inorder to be eligible for the exam. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for NDA exam. Read below for complete details 

NDA Eligibility for Male and Female Candidates

NDA Eligibility 2024: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released NDA 2 2024 eligibility criteria. According to NDA eligibility criteria, female and male candidates who have completed their Class 12 or equivalent can apply for the exam. Both unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply for NDA 2 2024 exam. According to NDA 2 eligibility, candidates must have born not earlier than January 2, 2006, and not later than January 1, 2009. 

The eligibility highlights certain parameters in terms of NDA age limit, educational qualification, physical and medical standards. Candidates applying for the exam must read NDA eligibility to ascertain whether they are eligible for the exam or not. Candidature of candidates might get canceled at any stage of the recruitment process if they do not fulfil NDA exam eligibility. Before applying, eligible male and female candidates must go through NDA requirements provided on this page.

National Defence Academy exam or NDA exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for the Indian Armed Forces, where selected candidates of all three services, Navy and Air Force undergo training before pre-commissioning training in the respective academies. Union Public Service Commission conducts NDA twice a year-April and September to select male and female candidates for various defence services. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB Interview.

Also Read: NDA 2024

NDA 1 Eligibility 2024

Only Indian nationals both female and male candidates can apply for NDA 1 2024. Candidates must have born not earlier than July 2, 2005 and not later than July 1, 2008 are eligible for the exam. The date of birth is accepted by the commission as entered in the matriculation or secondary school leaving certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to matriculation. Candidates who have passed Class 12 can apply for the Army wing of NDA. Those who have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics can apply for Air Force and Naval wings of NDA. Candidates who are appearing in the Class 12 can also apply. Such candidates who qualify the SSB interview but could not produce Class 10/12 or equivalent certificate in original at the time of SSB interview should forward duly self-attested photocopies to ‘Directorate General of Recruiting, Army HQ, West Block III, RK Puram, New Delhi-110066’ and for Naval Academy candidates to ‘Naval Headquarters, DMPR, OI&R Section, Room No. 204, ‘C’ Wing, Sena Bhavan, New Delhi-110011’ by December 24, 2023.

NDA 2 Eligibility 2024

NDA 2 eligibility 2024 is one of the key considerations when applying for the exam. Applicants must meet the qualifying criteria or else their applications will be rejected. After determining NDA 2 eligibility 2024, both male and female candidates can apply for the exam. NDA 2 age limit is that candidates who are both not earlier than January 2, 2006, or later than January 1, 2009, are eligible to apply for the exam. For the Army Wing of NDA, candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognised state education board or university. For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA, candidates must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. For the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy, candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. 

NDA Eligibility 2024

NDA eligibility is one of the main factors to go through before applying for NDA exam. To remain the recruitment process, candidates must fit into all the NDA requirements. It is essential for candidates to follow all the specified NDA eligibility to be able to proceed further with the selection process. Candidates should note that Army might have different NDA exam eligibility requirements than those for Navy and Air Force. 

What is NDA Exam Eligibility 2024?

National Defence Academy eligibility is specified by UPSC in the official notification. The male and female eligibility criteria include factors such as nationality, NDA age limit, NDA qualification, NDA physical test and medical standards. The age criteria for NDA exam is between 16.5 and 19.5 years. Candidates who have passed and are appearing in Class 12 can apply for the NDA exam. NDA requirements for eligibility are certain factors that candidates need to fulfill inorder to be eligible for the exam. To ensure final selection to the NDA, candidates need to meet the following NDA eligibility:

• NDA Age Limit, Maritial Status & Gender
• Citizenship/Nationality
• NDA Qualification
• NDA Physical Test/ Medical Qualification

Candidates must ensure that they fulfil the NDA eligibility before applying for the exam. Candidates failing to fulfil the NDA eligibility will not be allowed to participate in the recruitment process.

NDA Eligibility 2024 Highlights 

Candidates can check below few important highlights related to NDA exam eligibility.

NDA Eligibility & NDA Age Limit 2024

According to NDA eligibility criteria, only unmarried male and female aspirants aged between 16.5 and 19.5 are eligible to apply for NDA. Those who are interested in applying for NDA exam must fall in the mentioned age group. Candidates whose NDA age limit exceeds will not be considered for NDA. Given below is the NDA age limit for all candidates who wish to appear for NDA exam:

• NDA 1 age limit is that candidates should be born not earlier than July 2, 2005, and not later than July 1, 2008
• NDA 2 age limit, candidates must have born not earlier than January 2, 2006, and not later than January 1, 2008
• The commission will accept the date of birth that is entered into Class 10 or 12 certificates
• Candidates need to submit these certificates after the declaration of the result of the written exam

NDA Age Limit For Girls

NDA age limit for girls is the same as the male candidates. NDA age limit for girl is 16.5 to 19.5 years. Female candidates falling under the age range can apply for NDA exam.

NDA Eligibility for Female

In 2021, Supreme Court allowed NDA for girls. Earlier, only unmarried male candidates were allowed to appear for the exam. The decision was taken by Supreme Court after a writ petition was filed by Kush Kalra in the Supreme Court to allow women to appear for NDA. The petition also raised objections against the issue of violation of Articles 14, 15, 16, and 19 of the Constitution of India by not allowing the desired female candidates to participate in the NDA Exam.

In response to the same, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy passed the interim order allowing the female candidates to be a part of the NDA 2 exam in 2021. The decisions regarding nature of training, intake strength, training standards, and medical and NDA physical standards for girls were rested upon the Ministry of Defence. NDA female eligibility, age limit, educational qualification, marital status parameters are same as male candidates. 

NDA eligibility for female candidates is the same as their male counterparts. The height, weight and vision NDA requirements for female candidates are the same. NDA qualification as well as the physical standard required for female and male candidates are same. 

NDA Qualification 2024

NDA eligibility as per educational qualification prescribed for admission to the different academies is given below.

• Candidates who are appearing in Class 12 or equivalent examination can apply as per NDA exam eligibility
• Candidates appearing in Class 11 exam are not eligible
• There is no NDA eligibility 12th percentage. Candidates who have passed Class 12 or equivalent exam can apply for the exam. 

Can 12th Pass Apply for NDA?

NDA Nationality 

To apply for NDA, candidates must be:

1) A citizen of India or

2) A subject of Nepal or

3) A subject of Bhutan or

4) A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India or

5) A person originally Indian who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India

Provided that a candidate belonging to categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 must be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Indian government. A certificate of eligibility is not required for Gorkha candidates from Nepal

NDA Eligibility 2024 Marital Status 

Only unmarried male and female candidates can apply for the exam as per NDA eligibility. Candidates should not marry until they complete their training. Candidates who marry during the training will be discharged and have to refund all expenditure spend on them by the government. 

NDA Physical Test 

Candidates must be physically fit according to the physical and medical standards of NDA eligibility. NDA physical eligibility is given in the table below for Army, Navy and Air Force. NDA requirements are NDA height, weight and chest. 

NDA Height & Weight for Army and Air Force

NDA height prescribed is 157 cms (For Air Force it is 162.5 cms). Certain exceptions are applicable for candidates based on the region from where they belong. NDA height for girls is 157 cms. 

For Gorkhas and candidates belonging to hills of North-Eastern areas of India, Garhwal, and Kumaon, the minimum height will be 5 cms less than the figure mentioned above. For candidates belonging to Lakshadweep, the minimum height standard is reduced by 2 cms.

NDA Requirements for Height and Weight for Navy

Candidates who wish to be pilot need to fulfill the following NDA requirements:

• Leg Length: The minimum of 99 cms and maximum of 120 cms
• Thigh Length: Maximum of 64 cms
• Sitting Height: The minimum of 81.50 cms and maximum is 96 cms

NDA Medical Requirements for Visual Standards

• The distance vision (corrected) of candidates should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye
• Myopia should not be more than 2.5 D
• Hyper metropia not more than 3.5 D including astigmatism
• Air Force candidates must not wear spectacles

Candidates can check below the NDA requirements for visual standards for Navy and Air Force.

Candidates must not suffer from any of the following minor conditions:

• Wax (Ears)
• Deviated Nasal Septum
• Hydrocele / Phimosis
• Condition of Overweight / Underweight
• Under Sized Chest
• Piles
• Tonsillitis
• Gynaecomastia
• Varicocele

NDA Requirements for Guidelines Regarding Tattoos

• Candidates must ensure that any permanent body tattoos should be present only on their inner side of forearm
• Under no circumstances, UPSC accepts tattoos on the inside of the elbow to the wrist and on the reverse side of palm/back (dorsal) side of the hand
• Permanent body tattoos on any other part of the body are also not acceptable
• In case a candidate belongs to a tribe where it is customary to have tattoo, acceptance will be granted considering the traditions involved

Also Read:

• NDA Vacancies
• NDA Dates 
• NDA Exam Centres 
• NDA Preparation Tips
• NDA Books 

NDA Requirements for Spinal Conditions

Candidates must not have the following diseases:

• Granulomatous disease of spine
• Arthritis/spondylosis (Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders / Ankylosing spondylitis/ Osteoarthrosis, spondylosis and degenerative joint disease / Non-articular rheumatism (e.g. lesions of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, recurrent lumbago etc.) & Miscellaneous disorders including SLE, polymyositis, vasculitis
• Spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis
• Compression fracture of vertebrae
• SC Heuerman’s disease (Adolescent kyphosis)
• Loss of cervical lordosis when associated with clinically restricted movements of cervical spine
• Unilateral / Bilateral cervical ribs with demon stable neurological or circulatory deficit
• Scoliosis more than 15 degree as measured by Cobb’s method
• Degenerative Disc. disease
• Presence of Schmorl’s nodes at more than one level
• Atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial anomalies
• Hemi vertebrae and/or incomplete block (fused) vertebrae at any level in cervical, dorsal or lumbar spine and complete block (fused) vertebrae at more than one level in cervical or dorsal spine
• Unilateral Sacralisation or lumbarisation (Complete or incomplete) at all levels and bilateral incomplete sacralisation or lumbarisation
• Any other abnormality if so considered by the specialist

NDA Requirements for X-Ray Exam

Any of the following conditions will disqualify the candidature of candidates:

• Granulomatous disease of spine
• Arthritis / spondylosis      
• Scoliosis more than 15 degree as measured by Cobb’s Method (10 degree for Army and Navy)
• More than mild Kyphosis/Lordosis
• Spondylolisthesis / Spondylosis / Spondylolysis
• Herniated nucleus pulposes
• Compression fracture of Vertebra
• Sacralisation Disease
• Cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or Circulatory deficit
• Presence of Schmorl’s node at more than one level
• Atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial anomalies
• Incomplete Sacralisation Unilateral or Bilateral
• Spina Bifida other than SV 1 and LV 5 if completely Sacralised
• Any other abnormality, if so considered by specialist

NDA Requirements for Other medical conditions 

• There should not be any symptoms of the weak constitution or bodily defects
• Candidates must have a well-developed chest
• The function of the bones or joints should be good
• No history of medical breakdown or fits
• Candidates must have normal hearing capabilities
• No impediment of speech
• Normal blood pressure with no signs of heart disease or blood vessel disease
• No liver or spleen enlargement
• No abnormalities in urine
• No skin diseases
• No abnormalities in USG abdomen examination
• A sufficient number of natural and sound teeth
• Routine ECG for Air Force candidates must fall within normal limits

NDA Eligibility 2024 for Women Candidates: Know Medical Standards

The general methods and principles of medical examination of female candidates are the same as for male candidates. However, there are some specified medical standards for female candidates which are listed below:

• A detailed menstrual, gynaecological and obstetric history in the form of a questionnaire is to be obtained from the candidate
• A detailed physical and systemic examination will be carried out for the candidates and they will be examined by a Lady Medical Officer or a Lady Gynecologist only
• The examination includes the following inspections:
  (a) External genitalia
  (b) Hernial orifices and the perineum
  (c) Any evidence of stress urinary incontinence or genital prolapsed outside introitus
  (d) Evidence of lump breast and galactorrhoea
• In all unmarried female candidates, speculum or per vaginal examination will not be carried out
• Ultrasound scan of the abdomen and pelvis is mandatory in all female candidates during the initial Medical Examination
• Any abnormality of external genitalia will be considered on merits of each case. Significant hirsutism especially with male pattern of hair growth along with radiological evidence of PCOS, will be a cause for rejection
• Following conditions will entail female candidates being declared unfit:
  (a) Primary or secondary amenorrhoea
  (b) Severe Menorrhagia or/ and severe dysmenorrhea.
  (c) Stress urinary incontinence
  (d) Congenital elongation of cervix or prolapsed which comes outside the introitus even after corrective surgery.
  (e) Pregnancy will be a cause of rejection for NDA entry
  (f) Complex ovarian cyst of any size
  (g) Simple ovarian cyst more than six cm
  (h) Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
  (i) Submucous fibroid of any size
  (j) Broad ligament or cervical fibroid of any size causing pressure over ureter
• Single fibroid uterus more than three cm in diameter fibroids more than two in number (each fibroid not more than fifteen mm in diameter) or fibroids causing distortion of endometrial cavity
• Congenital uterine anomalies except for arcuate uterus
• Acute or chronic pelvic infection
• Disorders of sexual differentiation
• Any other condition will be considered on merits of each case by the Gynaecologist
• Following conditions will be declared as FIT:
  (a) Unilocular clear ovarian cyst up to six cm
  (b) Minimal fluid in pouch of Douglas

Ineligibility for UPSC NDA 2024 Exam

Candidates will be rejected from appearing in UPSC NDA exam if they do not fulfil NDA eligibility due to the following reasons:

• If aspirants are married then they will not be allowed to appear for the exam
• If candidates have resigned on disciplinary grounds during training then they are not eligible
• Candidates who did not clear PABT/CPSS exam are not eligible
• If aspirants are debarred by the Defence Ministry
• Candidates studying in Class 11 are not eligible
• Candidates who have failed INSB/PABT earlier will not be considered eligible