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Know about UPSC NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025 includes age limit, educational qualification, nationality, marital status, and physical standards. Check if you're eligible to apply for NDA 1 & NDA 2 exams conducted by UPSC for recruit to Army, Navy & Air Force.
PWOnlyIAS
June 11, 2025
UPSC NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025: The eligibility criteria for the NDA 2025 Examination are set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It includes several aspects like age, nationality, educational qualification, and physical standards. The criteria ensure that candidates possess the necessary qualifications to excel in rigorous training and serve the nation with honor.
The NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025 is a critical aspect that candidates must fulfill before applying for the exam. Meeting the NDA age limit 2025 and other parameters is essential to progress in the recruitment process. Both male and female candidates must ensure they meet the required qualifications, including the 12th percentile criteria, before applying. Here is the overview of UPSC NDA eligibility criteria:
| NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025 Overview | |
| Criteria | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | NDA & NA Exam 2025 |
| Level | National |
| Frequency | Twice a Year |
| NDA Age Limit | 16.5 years – 19.5 years |
| NDA Qualification | 12th Pass |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Experience | Not required |
To be eligible for the NDA Examination 2025, candidates must meet the following nationality requirements. Both unmarried male and female candidates can apply, provided they fulfill any one of the criteria listed below:
Nationality: A candidate must be an unmarried male/female and must be:
A citizen of India, or
A subject of Nepal, or
A subject of Bhutan, or
A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Note: Candidates belonging to categories (2), (3), (4), and (5) must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India. However, this certificate is not required for Gorkha candidates from Nepal.
Only unmarried male and female candidates falling within the specified age brackets are eligible to apply for the NDA 2025 examination. As per the UPSC NDA eligibility norms, the age limit varies for NDA 1 and NDA 2. The accepted date of birth must strictly match the details recorded in the official educational certificates. Check the detailed UPSC NDA Age Limit 2025 criteria below:
| UPSC NDA Age Limit 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Criteria | Details |
| Age Range (NDA 1 2025) | Candidates must be born not earlier than 2nd July 2006 and not later than 1st July 2009. |
| Age Range (NDA 2 2025) | Candidates must be born not earlier than 1st January 2007 and not later than 1st January 2010. |
| Age Limit | Candidates must be between 16.5 years to 19.5 years of age. |
| Gender & Marital Status | Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply. |
| Accepted Date of Birth Records | The date of birth must match the record in the Matriculation or Class 10/12 Certificate. |
| Documents Not Accepted | Horoscopes, affidavits, birth extracts from municipal bodies, service records, or similar unofficial documents will not be accepted. |
| NDA Age Limit for Girls | Same as male candidates: 16.5 to 19.5 years. |
To apply for the UPSC NDA Examination 2025, candidates must meet the specific educational qualifications required for different wings of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. Below are the detailed qualifications required for each wing:
(i) For Army Wing of National Defence Academy: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
(ii) For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
As per the NDA eligibility norms, only unmarried male and female candidates are allowed to apply for the exam. Applicants must remain unmarried until the completion of their training. Marrying during the training period will result in disqualification, and such candidates will be discharged immediately. Moreover, they will be required to refund all training-related expenses incurred by the government.
To qualify for the National Defence Academy (NDA) 2025, candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the standards set by the Armed Forces Medical Services. The NDA physical eligibility includes specific height, weight, vision, and body proportion standards based on age and gender. Below is a detailed overview:
Minimum Height for Army/Navy: 157 cm (except for exceptions).
Minimum Height for Air Force: 162.5 cm.
For Female Candidates: 157 cm is mandatory.
For Gorkhas/North-Eastern/Hill Areas: Relaxation of 5 cm.
For Lakshadweep Candidates: Relaxation of 2 cm.
Chest: Well-developed with a minimum expansion of 5 cm.
BMI and overall fitness: Must be within healthy limits.
NDA Physical Eligibility includes height and weight standards for Candidates Joining the NDA (Army & Air Force). Check out the height and weight physical standards for UPSC NDA 2025:
| NDA Height and Weight Standards for Army & Air Force (Both Genders) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Height (cm) | 16-17 Years (kg) | 17-18 Years (kg) | 18-19 Years (kg) |
| 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 |
The physical eligibility standards for male and female candidates joining the NDA (Navy) include specific height and weight requirements. Check out the complete physical standards for UPSC:
| NDA Height and Weight Standards for Navy (Both Genders) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Height (cm) | 16 Years (kg) | 18 Years (kg) | 20 Years (kg) |
| 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 |
To ensure candidates meet the physical standards, the following specific guidelines apply to female candidates joining the NDA:
Height and Weight Standards
Candidates exceeding the maximum specified weight may be considered only in exceptional circumstances, provided they meet the following criteria:
Certain conditions lead to automatic disqualification from the NDA selection process. These include marital status (only unmarried candidates are eligible), academic status (Class 11 students cannot apply), disciplinary dismissals from military training, prior failures in PABT/CPSS or INSB, and bans issued by the Ministry of Defence. These restrictions aim to maintain the NDA’s high standards of discipline, preparedness, and eligibility.
Candidates applying for the NDA must adhere strictly to the tattoo regulations. Only permanent body tattoos located on the inner side of the forearm are permissible. Tattoos found between the inside of the elbow and the wrist or on the dorsal (back) side of the hand are strictly disallowed. Tattoos on any other body region are deemed unacceptable. However, tribal candidates with tattoos as part of customary tradition may be considered, subject to proper documentation and evaluation.
Applicants must be free from a range of spinal disorders. Disqualifying conditions include diseases like spinal tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and disc degeneration. Also included are structural deformities such as scoliosis exceeding 15° (as per Cobb’s angle), spondylolysis, vertebral fractures, and congenital anomalies like fused or hemivertebrae. Any spinal irregularity impacting function or posing long-term health concerns may lead to disqualification upon specialist review.
X-ray evaluations are critical to NDA medical screening. Disqualifications can result from visible evidence of conditions such as kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis over accepted degrees (Army/Navy: 10°; others: 15°), spinal arthritis, Schmorl’s nodes at multiple levels, and structural abnormalities like spina bifida or sacralisation. Any radiographic abnormality that indicates risk to operational performance will be a ground for rejection.
To qualify medically, candidates must present a strong constitution free from physical disabilities. Key requirements include a well-formed chest, healthy bone and joint function, no history of epilepsy or seizures, and normal hearing and speech. Vital signs such as blood pressure and heart health must be within standard limits, and organ functions, including the liver, spleen, and kidneys, must show no irregularities. Clear abdominal ultrasound, sound dental health, and a normal ECG (especially for Air Force candidates) are essential.
Ready to boost your UPSC NDA 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC NDA online courses today!
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