The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is a gateway for young candidates aiming to join the Indian Armed Forces as officers. However, there are some important rules around the number of attempts allowed for the NDA exam:
Age Limit:
- The primary factor that influences how many times you can attempt the NDA exam is your age. The candidates must be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 years. If you do not age out before reaching 19.5, you can attempt the exam multiple times, provided you meet all other eligibility criteria.
Number of Attempts:
- There is no specific cap on the number of attempts for the NDA exam, as long as the candidate continues to meet the age requirements (16.5–19.5 years) for each exam cycle.
- The important thing to remember is that you must be within the eligible age range on the day of the exam. So, while you can attempt the exam as many times as you're eligible based on age, you do have to be mindful of when you turn 20 because, at that point, you will no longer be eligible for the NDA exam.
Other Criteria:
- Apart from the age limit, you must also meet other eligibility criteria such as educational qualifications (typically, you must have completed 12th grade with Mathematics and Physics for the Air Force and Navy branches).
- You must also clear the medical fitness standards to be selected for the final stage.
Attempts in NDA (for Army, Navy, and Air Force):
- The NDA exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This means there are two opportunities each year (April and September), so you could potentially attempt the exam twice annually.
Summary:
- Unlimited Attempts: There is no hard limit to how many times you can appear for the NDA exam as long as you meet the age limit criteria (16.5 to 19.5 years).
- Age Restrictions: Once you turn 20, you become ineligible to appear for the NDA exam.
So, in theory, if you're continuously within the age range and have the other qualifications, you can attempt the exam up to four or five times (if you're taking both exams every year) before reaching the age limit.
If you’re planning to take the NDA exam multiple times, staying on top of the exam dates and revising your strategy based on feedback from previous attempts will help maximize your chances of success.