What is the Purpose of the NDA Exam?
The NDA Exam is the ideal choice for aspirants who want to apply for the defence tests after class 12. National Defence Academy and Naval Academy examinations are held by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select eligible candidates who have completed Class 12 for getting admitted to the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy programs. The written exam and SSB interview are both parts of the selection procedure.
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The Union Public Service Commission conducts the National Defence Academy or NDA exam twice a year. It is the country’s most coveted defence admission exam, and both male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
The exam has two parts: a written exam and an SSB interview. The UPSC compiles a list of candidates who achieve the required minimum score in the written exam. Candidates who pass the written exam are called for an SSB Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test.
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NDA Exam – Highlights
- Name: National Defence Academy Exam and Naval Academy Examination
- Exam Level: National level
- Frequency: Twice a year
- Stages: The exam is conducted in two stages, written and SSB interviews
- Mode: Offline
- Conducting Board: The NDA examination is conducted by UPSC
- Written Examination Duration: The total time allotted for written examination is 5 hours, 2.5 hours for mathematics and 2.5 hours for GAT
- Language: Mix of English and Hindi (Hinglish)
NDA : Eligibility
Candidates who want to apply for the NDA examination must strictly fulfil the criteria laid out by the Indian Government. First thing first, their citizenship must be one of the following types:
- A citizen of India
- A resident of Nepal
- A resident of Bhutan
- A Tibetian refugee who came to India before 1 June 1962 intending to permanently settle in India
- Any person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and East African countries like Ethiopia, Malawi, Zaire, Vietnam, or Zambia and have the intention to settle in India permanently. They have to provide a certificate in favour of their migration.
Educational Qualification Requirements
The educational qualification is not the same for all NDA academic streams; it is different for different courses.
To apply for the army, a candidate has to pass the 12th standard or HSC examination of school education in 10+2 format or any other examination which is equivalent to the HSC examination from a recognised board or a university.
To apply for the Air Force, Navy or Naval academy of NDA, a student has to pass the 12th standard or HSC examination with a 10+2 format from a recognized State Education Board with Physics and Mathematics.
Physical Criteria for Selection
For admission to the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examinations 2023, candidates must be physically and intellectually fit. Every year, a considerable number of candidates fail the medical exam. As a result, applicants are urged to get a medical assessment before applying for the exam.
Under-sized Chest, Wax (ears), Deviated Nasal Septum, Overweight/ Underweight, Piles and Tonsillitis are among the minor defects/ailments that aspirants should address.
NDA 2023 Height and Weight Requirements 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 |
NDA 2023 Height and Weight Requirements 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 |
Exceptions – Female candidates must be at least 152 cm tall to be accepted for the Armed Forces. Gorkhas and applicants from India’s North-Eastern Hills, Garhwal, and Kumaon will be admitted if they are at least 148 cm tall. Candidates who are under the age of 18 at the time of the examination will be given a growth allowance of 02 cm.
The Flying Branch requires a minimum height of 163 cm. Ground Duty branches will have a minimum height requirement of 157.5 cm.
The minimum acceptable height for Gorkhas and those from India’s north-eastern areas and Uttarakhand’s mountainous districts would be 5 cm lower (152.5 cm). The minimum allowable height for applicants from Lakshadweep might be decreased by 2 cm (155.5 cm). The following table includes the minimum requirements for heights of candidates who belong to different regions.
| Sl. No. | Category | Minimum Height Required for Male Candidates |
| 1. | Height requirement for tribals belonging to Ladakh | 155 cm |
| 2. | Height requirement for people belonging to the Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, and Minicoy Islands | 155 cm |
| 3. | Height requirement for people belonging to Gorkhaland, Nepal, Assam, Garhwal, Kumaon, and Uttarakhand | 152 cm |
| 4. | Height requirement for people belonging to Bhutan, Sikkim, and the Northeast Region | 152 cm |
Vision Standards
- The acceptable distance vision (corrected) is 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye.
- Maximum myopia allowed is 2.5 D.
- Hypermetropia including astigmatism is allowed till 3.5 D.
- Spectacles are a strict no for Indian Air Force candidates.
The visual standards for the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force are as follows:
| Specifications | Air Force | Naval |
| Uncorrected without glass | 6/6, 6/9 | 6/6 |
| Corrected with glass | 6/6 (only for Hypermetropia) | 6/6 |
| Astigmatism | +0.75 Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max) | – |
| Limits of Hypermetropia | +2.00 D Sph | +1.5 |
| Limits of Myopia | Nil | -0.75 |
| Limits of Colour Perception | Nil re | I |
| Binocular Vision | Nil | III |
| Near Vision | N-5 each eye | – |
| Colour Vision | CP-I (MLT) | – |
| Retinoscopic Myopia | 0.5 | – |
Tattoos Guidelines
- Permanent body tattoos are allowed only on the inner side of the forearms out of the whole body.
- UPSC has strictly banned tattoos on the inside of the elbow to the wrist and the backside of the hand.
- Relaxation will be given to a candidate if they belong to a tribe where it is customary to have a tattoo.
Age Limit
- For various courses, the age limit requirement for the NDA exam is 16.5-19.5 years. Only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than02nd July, 2005 and not later than 1st July, 2008 are eligible.
- The date of birth must be written exactly as it appears on the matriculation certificate, secondary school leaving certificate, or any other similar certification recognised by the Indian University. The commission will not accept any other document as verification of date of birth.
Sex and Marital Status
- Till 2022, only unmarried male candidates could apply for the NDA exam, but now even unmarried female aspirants can also participate in the NDA 2024exam, as per the latest ruling of the Supreme Court.
- During the selection process and until the programme is finished, both male and female candidates must be single.
- An applicant will not be chosen if they marry before completing training.
- If a candidate gets married while undergoing training, he or she will be fired and held accountable for the government’s whole training expense.
Where To Find NDA Application Form 2024?
The NDA 2024 apply online link was launched on the UPSC official website, along with the notification PDF. Candidates should have scanned copies of their photo, signature, and other relevant papers on hand to upload into the NDA form.
How To Submit NDA Application Form 2023?
Candidates can refer to the instructions provided below to learn the step-by-step method for submitting an NDA application in order to prevent making any errors or silly mistakes while filling out the form at the last minute:
- Go to UPSC’s official website.
- Check the most recent notification and follow all of the instructions. “Yes” should be selected.
- Fill out Part I of the application online to register.
- Upload your photograph as well as a virtual copy of your signature.
- Submit the application fee (if applicable)
Application Fees for UPSC NDA Exam
All candidates must pay the NDA application fee in order to complete the online application form successfully. Below are the category-wise application fee details for the UPSC NDA Exam:
| S.No | Category | Exam Fees |
| 1 | SC/ST and Sons of NCOs, JCOs, ORs, Female candidates | N/A |
| 2 | General/OBC | 100 INR |
