The National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a highly competitive exam for candidates who wish to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. To appear for this exam, candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements set by UPSC. These eligibility criteria are based on various factors such as age, education, nationality, and physical fitness. Below is a comprehensive and detailed explanation of the eligibility criteria for appearing in the NDA exam.
1. Nationality
A candidate must fulfill one of the following nationality requirements to be eligible to appear in the NDA exam:
- Indian Citizen.
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan.
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of settling permanently in India.
- Indian-origin persons who have migrated from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Burma, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Cambodia with the intention of permanently settling in India. Such candidates must be a person of good character and should have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
2. Age Limit
The age limit is one of the most crucial aspects of the eligibility criteria for the NDA exam. Candidates must be within the following age range to be eligible:
- The candidate must be 16.5 to 19.5 years old at the time of commencement of the course.
- For NDA 1 (2025), the candidates must have been born between January 2, 2006, and January 1, 2009.
- For NDA 2 (2025), the candidates must have been born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
- The age is calculated based on the date of birth as mentioned in the candidate’s Matriculation or equivalent certificate.
3. Educational Qualification
The educational qualification varies depending on the wing of the National Defence Academy the candidate wishes to join. The candidates must have completed or be appearing in the final examination of their respective courses as follows:
For Army Wing (All Candidates):
- Educational Qualification: The candidate must have passed the 12th class of school education or its equivalent from a recognized board.
- There is no specific requirement for subjects in school, which means candidates from all streams (Science, Commerce, and Arts) can apply for the Army Wing.
For Air Force and Navy Wings (Candidates):
- Educational Qualification: The candidate must have passed the 12th class of school education or its equivalent with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects from a recognized board.
- Candidates who have appeared in the 12th exam and are waiting for results can also apply, but they must ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements at the time of joining the academy.
4. Marital Status
- Candidates applying for the NDA exam must be unmarried.
- Married candidates are not eligible to apply for the NDA examination.
- Furthermore, if selected, candidates will have to remain unmarried throughout their training period at the National Defence Academy.
5. Physical Standards
Physical fitness is an important aspect of the NDA selection process. The candidates must meet certain medical and physical fitness standards to be eligible. These standards are prescribed by the medical boards of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Physical Fitness Standards (Common for all Wings):
- Height:
- For Army and Air Force: Minimum height of 157.5 cm (relaxable for candidates from the Northeastern states and hilly areas).
- For Navy: Minimum height of 162.5 cm.
- Weight: The weight of the candidate should be proportionate to their height, as per the medical guidelines.
- Vision Standards: Candidates must have normal vision with the following specifications:
- Army: 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye (without glasses).
- Navy and Air Force: 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye (with glasses allowed for the Navy; but not for the Air Force).
- Chest Expansion: The chest should be well developed and capable of expansion of at least 5 cm.
- Other Health Criteria: The candidate should be free from any major diseases or disabilities like:
- Hearing problems
- Speech impairments
- Flat feet
- Knock-knees
- Color blindness (except for Army, where some forms of color blindness may be acceptable).
The final selection depends on medical examination by the Medical Board during the SSB interview process.
6. Gender
- The NDA exam is open to male candidates only. Women are not eligible to apply for the NDA exam.
- However, female candidates can pursue other defense entry routes such as CDS (Combined Defence Services) for direct entry into the Indian Armed Forces.
7. Number of Attempts
- Candidates can attempt the NDA exam multiple times as long as they meet the age and educational requirements.
- However, candidates can only appear for the NDA exam until they reach the upper age limit (19.5 years).
8. Important Conditions
Application Process: Candidates must apply for the NDA exam via the online application form available on the UPSC official website. The application fee for general and OBC candidates is INR 100, while SC/ST candidates and sons of JCOs, NCOs, and ORs are exempt from paying the fee.
Selection Process: The selection process involves:
- Written Examination: The written exam consists of two papers – Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks).
- SSB Interview: After clearing the written exam, candidates are called for the SSB interview, which includes psychological testing, group activities, personal interviews, and medical examinations.
Summary of NDA Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| Age | 16.5 to 19.5 years |
| Educational Qualification | 12th class pass (Army Wing) / 12th with Physics and Maths (Navy & Air Force) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Gender | Male candidates only |
| Nationality | Indian, Nepalese, Bhutanese, or specific migrants |
| Physical Fitness | Specific height, weight, and vision standards; free from major diseases |
| Attempts | No limit, subject to age criteria |
Conclusion
To sum up, the eligibility criteria for appearing in the NDA exam are clear and structured, covering a variety of aspects from age and education to physical standards and nationality. Candidates must ensure they meet these requirements before applying for the exam. Proper attention to these criteria will help applicants prepare effectively and ensure that they are eligible for the rigorous selection process leading to entry into the National Defence Academy.