The National Defence Academy (NDA) stands as the premier joint services academy for the Indian Armed Forces. Aspiring cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force undergo rigorous joint basic training at NDA before transitioning to specialized pre-commissioning training academies. Overseen by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the examination is conducted twice annually, typically in April and September. Since 2021, the UPSC has opened doors for female candidates to join this prestigious institution. Following a successful written test, qualifying candidates advance to the rigorous Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview.
With the release of the UPSC NDA 2 Notification 2026 Released: 394 Vacancies Available - Click Here for Details, prospective applicants must carefully evaluate their credentials against the official NDA 2 2026 eligibility criteria to ensure seamless application processing.
Core Eligibility Checklists
To successfully register, applicants must meet specific foundational standards regarding age, marital status, citizenship, and health. Review the structured checklists below:
NDA Age Limit, Marital Status & Gender Criteria
- Must be unmarried male or female candidates
- Age must fall between 16.5 and 19.5 years
- Date of birth must match the matriculation or secondary school leaving certificate
- Must be born not earlier than 2nd July 2006 and not later than 1st July 2009
NDA Citizenship/Nationality Criteria
- A citizen of India
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- An Indian origin person who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia) or Vietnam to permanently settle in India
- A refugee of Tibet who moved to India before 1st January 1962 and settled permanently
Educational Qualifications
Different wings of the armed forces dictate distinct academic prerequisites. Refer to the table below for precise class 12th board requirements:
| Posts | Required Educational Criteria |
|---|---|
| Army Wing | Pass certificate of class 12th via recognized board or a University. |
| Air Force and Naval Wings | Pass certificate of class 12th via recognized board or a University with Physics and Mathematics. |
| 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy | Pass certificate of class 12th via recognized board or a University with Physics and Mathematics. |
Physical Fitness & Medical Standards
Candidates must maintain exceptional physical robustness. Medical examinations ensure individuals are free from recurring ailments that could hinder service responsibilities.
Minor Ailments to be Free From
- Piles
- Tonsillitis
- Gynaecomastia
- Varicocele
- Wax (Ears)
- Deviated Nasal Septum
- Hydrocele / Phimosis
- Condition of Overweight / Underweight
- Under Sized Chest
Physical Standards for Navy
- Leg Length: Minimum of 99 cms and maximum of 120 cms
- Thigh Length: Maximum of 64 cms
- Sitting Height: Minimum of 81.50 cms and maximum of 96 cms
The minimum acceptable height is 157 cm for the Army and 162.5 cm for the Air Force. Candidates belonging to the hills of North India, Kumaon, Garhwal, and Gorkhas receive a 5 cm relaxation in maximum height, while those from the Lakshadweep region receive a 2 cm relaxation.
Height & Weight Guidelines for Army and Air Force
| Height (in cm) for ARMY/AIR FORCE | 15-16 Years | 16-17 Years | 17-18 Years | 18-19 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | 41 | 42.5 | 44 | 45 |
| 155 | 42 | 43.5 | 45.3 | 47 |
| 157 | 43 | 45 | 47 | 48 |
| 160 | 45 | 46.5 | 48 | 49 |
| 162 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 51 |
| 165 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 53 |
| 167 | 49 | 51 | 53 | 54 |
| 170 | 51 | 52.5 | 55 | 56 |
| 173 | 52.5 | 54.5 | 57 | 58 |
| 175 | 54.5 | 56 | 59 | 60 |
| 178 | 56 | 58 | 61 | 62 |
| 180 | 58.5 | 60 | 63 | 64.5 |
| 183 | 61 | 62.5 | 65 | 66.5 |
Height & Weight Guidelines for Navy
| Height (in cm) for Navy | 20 years | 18 years | 16 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | 46 | 45 | 44 |
| 155 | 47 | 46 | 45 |
| 157 | 49 | 47 | 46 |
| 160 | 50 | 48 | 47 |
| 162 | 52 | 50 | 48 |
| 165 | 53 | 52 | 50 |
| 167 | 55 | 53 | 52 |
| 170 | 57 | 55 | 53 |
| 173 | 59 | 57 | 55 |
| 175 | 61 | 59 | 57 |
| 178 | 62 | 61 | 59 |
| 180 | 64 | 63 | 61 |
| 183 | 67 | 65 | 63 |
Vision Standards Across Services
Vision criteria vary significantly between the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Ensure your specifications align with the respective service guidelines:
Army Vision Standard
| Vision Standard For ARMY | Better Eye 6/6; Worse Eye 6/9 |
|---|---|
| Distance Vision (Corrected) | Better Eye 6/6; Worse Eye 6/9 |
| Colour vision | CP-III (Defective Safe). |
| Myopia should not exceed -2.5D. Hypermetropia should not exceed +3.5D. | Myopia should not exceed -2.5D. Hypermetropia should not exceed +3.5D. |
Air Force Vision Standard
| Vision Standards for Air Force | Candidates who wear spectacle | Not eligible for Air Force |
|---|---|---|
| Candidates who wear spectacle | Candidates who wear spectacle | Not eligible for Air Force |
| Minimum distant vision | Minimum distant vision | 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other. Correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia. |
| Colour vision CPI Hypermetropia: +2.0 D Sph Manifest Myopia: Nil Retinoscopic Myopia: 0.5 in any Meridian permitted Astigmatism: + 0.75 D Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max) | Colour vision CPI Hypermetropia: +2.0 D Sph Manifest Myopia: Nil Retinoscopic Myopia: 0.5 in any Meridian permitted Astigmatism: + 0.75 D Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max) | Colour vision CPI Hypermetropia: +2.0 D Sph Manifest Myopia: Nil Retinoscopic Myopia: 0.5 in any Meridian permitted Astigmatism: + 0.75 D Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max) |
Navy Vision Standard
| Vision standard for Navy |
|---|
| 1. Uncorrected without glass -6/6, 6/9 2. Corrected with glass – 6/6, 6/6 3. Limits of Myopia – –0.75 4. Limits of Hypermetropia – +1.5 5. Binocular vision – III 6. Limits of color perception – I |
Next Steps for Candidates
Once you have verified that you meet all educational, physical, and age requirements for the NDA 2026 cycle, proceed to complete your online registration prior to the deadline. Afterward, focus on structured preparation for the written examination, keep track of official admit card release dates, and plan your travel arrangements well in advance of your assigned examination center and subsequent SSB interview dates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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