NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024 : Age Limit, Qualification, Physical (Male, Female)

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024: The NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024 are determined by the Union Public Service Commission. To be eligible for the NDA Army wing exam, Air Force and Naval wings of Exam 2024 Candidates must have passed class 12th with physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

In this article, we have discussed everything you need to know about NDA Eligibility 2024 from NDA Age Limit, qualification, physical standards, and many more.

Let's dive right in.

👁 NDA eligibility criteria 2024

Both male and female (Girl) candidates who have earned their high school diploma or its equivalent are eligible to sit for the exam, according to the NDA eligibility criteria. Male and female applicants who are interested must carefully review the qualifying requirements, including the NDA qualification and physical standards, before applying for NDA in 2024.

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024 Overview

The following is the overview of NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024:

Particulars	Details
Name of the Exam	NDA
Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission
Exam Level	National
Post	Lieutenant
Gender & Marital Status	Unmarried females and males
NDA Age Limit	Between 16.5 and 19.5 years
NDA Qualification	Army Wing: Passed or appearing in Standard 12
	For Air Force as well as Naval Wings: Passed/ appearing in Standard 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
NDA Physical Test	Assessment based on height, weight and medical standards
Selection Process	Written exam followed by SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview

The NDA Eligibility Criteria for the year 2024 are significant in the application process. Once the requirements are fulfilled, both male and female candidates can confidently proceed with their applications.

Adhering to the age range is a fundamental aspect of eligibility. As per the NDA age limit criteria, candidates' birthdates should fall between January 2, 2005 and January 1, 2008.

Candidates aspiring for the Army Wing must have completed Class 12 or the equivalent from some recognised state educational board or university.

Those aiming the Air Force and Naval Wings need to have cleared Class 12 with subjects including Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. According to NDA eligibility criteria, individuals aiming for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy must have passed Class 12 or its equivalent, including the same subjects.

NDA Detailed Eligibility Criteria 2024

The following are the detailed Eligibility criteria for 2024:

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024	Details
Nationality	Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, or persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries intending to permanently settle in India. |
Gender	Male and unmarried female candidates are eligible.
Age Limit	Between 16.5 years and 19.5 years. Date of birth should be between July 2, 2005, and July 1, 2008.
Educational Qualification	For Army Wing: 12th Class pass or equivalent.
Marital Status	Only unmarried candidates are eligible
Physical Fitness	Candidates should be in good physical and mental health, meeting specified height, weight, and vision standards
Minimum Height (for Army Wing)	152 cm (for Gorkhas and candidates from Hills of the North Eastern region: 148 cm).
Weight Standards	Proportionate to the height as per the specified charts.
Vision Standards	Uncorrected Vision: 6/6 for both eyes. Corrected Vision: 6/6 for both eyes. Limits of Myopia: Not exceeding -0.75 D. Limits of Hypermetropia: Not exceeding +1.5 D. Binocular Vision: III. Colour Perception: I
Tattoo Policy	Tattoos on any other part of the body are not acceptable. Tribes with tattoo marks on the face or body as per their customs and traditions may be allowed on a case-to-case basis.

NDA Eligibility Criteria For Female

The NDA eligibility criteria are consistent and inclusive of both male and female candidates. Female applicants are held to the same standards as males. To meet the NDA age limit criteria, their birthdates must fall within the range of January 2, 2005, to January 1, 2008. Female candidates need to have successfully completed Class 12 or the equivalent from some recognised educational board.

Additionally, for those aspiring to join the Air Force and Navy wings of the NDA, it's essential for female candidates to have pursued Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in their Class 12 curriculum. As per NDA Eligibility Criteria, even female candidates currently in the process of completing Class 12 can confidently submit their applications for the exam.

NDA Age Limit Eligibility 2024

The eligibility criteria for NDA 1 and NDA 2 exams are defined based on the candidates' age. According to NDA eligibility criteria. Unmarried male and female candidates born between the 2nd of July 2005 and the 1st of July 2008 are eligible for session 1, whereas unmarried male candidates born between the 2nd of January 2005 and the 1st of January 2008 are considered eligible for session 2.

NDA Age Limit Eligibility for Unmarried Male

The NDA age limit 2024 eligibility(session 1) for the unmarried Male are the following:

Lower Age Limit	15.5 years (not later than 1st July 2006) or 16 years during the commencement of the course
Upper Age Limit	18.5 years (not earlier than 2nd July 2003) or 19 years during the commencement of the course

NDA Age Limit Eligibility for Female

NDA Eligibility for Female candidates have the same NDA age limit eligibility as their male counterparts. According to the official NDA eligibility criteria, both single male and female applicants born between 2nd January 2004 and 1st January 2007, are eligible for the exam.

Min Age	Max Age
15.7 to 16 years (during the course commencement)	18.7 to 19 years (during the course commencement)

Note:

• Married individuals, both male and female, cannot apply for the exam.
• The date of birth stated in the application must match the Matriculation/10th/Secondary School Leaving Certificate.
• Candidates are required to submit age proof certificates after the written exam results are declared.
• Candidates undertaking NDA training must commit not to marry until their training is complete. Marrying after the application date but before selection or during training will result in disqualification and reimbursement of government expenses incurred during training.

NDA Physical Eligibility Criteria 2024

As per the NDA eligibility criteria, candidates aiming to appear for the upcoming exam must adhere to specific physical fitness, medical and visual standards. The following are the Medical Eligibility criteria for the different posts of the National Defence Academy(NDA).

NDA Height and Weight for Army and Air Force

As per the NDA eligibility, the height requirements for Army and Air Force are as follows:

• NDA height prescribed is 157 cms for Army.
• For Air Force, the NDA height requirement is 162.5 cms.
• For Gorkhas as well as candidates belonging to hills in North-Eastern India, Kumaon and Garhwal, the min. height is 5 cm less than the figure mentioned.
• For candidates who belong to Lakshadweep, the min. height standard is less by 2 cm.
• NDA height for girls is 157 cms.

NDA Height and Weight Eligibility for the Female

The following are the comprehensive breakdown of NDA height and weight criteria for female candidates:

👁 NDA Height and weight Eligibility 2024

NDA Height and Weight Eligibility for the male

The following are the height and weight requirement as per NDA eligibility for male candidates:

👁 NDA Height and Weight Eligibility for Male

👁 NDA-Height-Eligibility-Criteria-2024

👁 NDA-Height-Weight-Eligibility-Criteria-2023

As per the NDA Eligibility Criteria, weights less than the minimum allowable will not be accepted under any circumstances. The maximum allowed weight for height has been established in age-specific categories. Only candidates with verifiable evidence of national-level bodybuilding, boxing, or wrestling will have weights over the permissible maximum. In such cases, the standards listed below must be met.

• The BMI should be under 25.
• Waist-hip ratios for men and women should be less than 0.9 and 0.8, respectively.
• The optimal waist circumference for men is 90 cm, and for women it is 80 cm.
• All biochemical metabolic measures should be within normal limits.

NDA Height and Weight for Male (Air Force)

The following are the NDA eligibility, the height and weight requirements for male candidates in Air Force:

Height (in cms)	16-17 years (Weight in kgs)	17-18 years (Weight in kgs)	18-19 years (Weight in kgs)
152	42.5	44	45
155	43.5	45.3	47
157	45	47	48
160	46	48	49
162	48	50	51
165	50	52	53
167	51	53	54
170	52.5	55	56
173	54.5	57	58
175	56	59	60
178	58	61	62
180	60	63	64.5
183	62.5	65	66.5

NDA Height and Weight Eligibility for Female (Air Force)

The following are the NDA eligibility Criteria, the height and weight requirements for female candidates in Air Force are as follows:

👁 NDA-Height-and-Weight-Eligibility-Criteria-2024

NDA Medical Requirements for Visual Standards

As per the latest NDA eligibility criteria, the candidates’ distance vision (corrected) should be 6/6 in their better eye and 6/9 in their worse eye.

1. Myopia should not cross 2.5 D.
2. Hypermetropia should not cross 3.5 D, including astigmatism.
3. Candidates of Air Force must not wear spectacles.

NDA Visual Standards for Navy and Air Force

A medical examination to determine eyesight standards is one of the most significant NDA eligibility criteria. The vision medical test requirements are as follows:

Specification	Naval	Air Force
Uncorrected without glass	6/6	6/6. 6/9
Corrected with glass	6/6	6/6 only (for Hypermetropia)
Limits of Myopia	-0.75	Nil
Limits of Hypermetropia	1.5	2.00 D Sph
Limits of Colour Perception	I	Nil
Binocular Vision	III	Nil
Manifest Myopia	N.A.	Nil
Retinoscopic Myopia		0.5
Colour Vision	N.A.	CP-I (MLT)
Near Vision	N.A.	N-5 each eye
Astigmatism	N.A.	0.75 Cyl (within 2.0 D.Max)

Candidates must also not be suffering from any of the following minor conditions:

• Wax (Ears)
• Gynaecomastia
• Undersized Chest
• Piles
• Hydrocele / Phimosis
• Condition of Overweight / Underweight
• Varicocele
• Deviated Nasal Septum
• Tonsillitis

NDA Eligibility Guidelines Regarding Tattoos

Permanent body tattoos should be present only on the inner side of the forearm. Following are the NDA eligibility guidelines regarding tattoos:

• Tattoos on the inside of elbow up to the wrist or even on the reverse side of the palm or back (dorsal) side of the hand are not accepted.
• Tattoos on any other part of the body are also not acceptable.
• In cases where candidates belong to tribes with customary tattoos, acceptance may be considered based on traditions.

NDA Eligibility Criteria for Spinal Conditions

Candidates must not have the following spinal conditions:

• Granulomatous disease of the spine.
• Arthritis/spondylosis, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthrosis and related disorders.
• Spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis.
• Compression fracture of vertebrae.
• SC Heuerman’s disease (Adolescent kyphosis).
• Loss of cervical lordosis with restricted cervical spine movement.
• Unilateral / Bilateral cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or circulatory deficit.
• Scoliosis more than 15 degrees (10 degrees for Army and Navy) as measured by Cobb’s method.
• Degenerative Disc disease.
• Presence of Schmorl’s nodes at multiple levels.
• Atlanto-occipital as well as atlantoaxial anomalies.
• Hemi vertebrae or incomplete block (fused) vertebrae on any level.
• Unilateral sacralisation or lumbarization (complete or incomplete) at all levels and bilateral incomplete sacralization or lumbarization.
• Any other abnormality considered by the specialist.

NDA Requirements for X-Ray Exam

According to the NDA eligibility, the following conditions will disqualify candidates during the X-Ray exam:

• Similar spinal conditions as mentioned above.
• Scoliosis exceeding 15 degrees (10 degrees for Army and Navy) as measured by Cobb’s method.
• Kyphosis or lordosis more than mild.
• Herniated nucleus pulposus.
• Compression fracture of vertebra.
• Sacralisation disease.
• Cervical ribs with neurological or circulatory deficits.
• Presence of Schmorl’s nodes at multiple levels.
• Atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial anomalies.
• Spina Bifida which is other than SV 1 and LV 5 if completely sacralised.
• Incomplete sacralisation unilateral or bilateral.
• Any other abnormality considered by the specialist.

NDA Eligibility for Other Medical Conditions

Candidates must meet the following medical conditions:

• No symptoms of weak constitution or bodily defects.
• Well-developed chest.
• Good function of bones and joints.
• No history of medical breakdown or fits.
• Normal blood pressure plus no signs of any heart/ blood vessel disease.
• No skin diseases.
• No abnormalities in urine.
• No abnormalities in USG abdomen examination.
• No impediment of speech.
• A sufficient number of natural and sound teeth.
• Routine ECG for Air Force candidates must be within normal limits.
• Normal hearing capabilities.
• No liver or spleen enlargement.

NDA Medical Criteria for Female Candidates

According to the latest NDA eligibility criteria, the medical standards and examination procedures for female candidates applying for the exam are given below:

Medical Examination Process - There are specific medical standards for female candidates that need to be met even though the general examination is same as males.

Gynaecological and Obstetric History - Female candidates are required to provide a detailed menstrual, gynaecological and obstetric history through a questionnaire.

Physical and Systemic Examination - Female candidates will undergo a thorough physical and systemic examination, which will be conducted by a Lady Medical Officer or a Lady Gynaecologist.

Speculum or Per Vaginal Examination - Speculum or per vaginal examination shall not be conducted for unmarried female candidates.

Ultrasound Scan - All female candidates will undergo an ultrasound scan of the abdomen and pelvis as part of the initial Medical Examination.

Abnormalities and Rejection Criteria - Any abnormalities in the external genitalia will be assessed based on individual cases. Significant hirsutism (excessive hair growth) with a male pattern of hair growth and radiological evidence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) may lead to rejection.

Fitness Criteria - Unilocular clear ovarian cysts up to six cm in size will meet the fitness criteria. Minimal fluid in the pouch of Douglas will lead to a declaration of fitness.

NDA Vision Standards

A candidate selected for NDA shoulders significant duties and responsibilities representing our nation. Meeting the stringent medical requirements is vital for applicants. Among the crucial eligibility criteria for NDA, one pivotal aspect is the medical test, especially concerning vision standards. This are the NDA's vision requirements:

1. Distance vision (corrected): 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye.
2. Myopia: Not allowed if it's more than 2.5 D.
3. Hypermetropia: Not allowed if it's more than +3.5 D, including astigmatism.
4. Indian Air Force Applicants: Should not wear spectacles.

Visual Standards for Indian Navy and Indian Air Force:

1. Uncorrected (without glass):

• Naval: 6/6
• Air Force: 6/6 in both eyes, 6/9 in one eye is acceptable.

2. Corrected (with glass):

• Naval: 6/6
• Air Force: 6/6 (only for Hypermetropia)

3. Limits of Myopia:

• Naval: 0.75
• Air Force: Nil

4. Limits of Hypermetropia:

• Naval: +1.5
• Air Force: +2.00 D Sph

5. Limits of Colour Perception:

• Naval: I (No limits)
• Air Force: Nil

6. Binocular Vision:

• Naval: III (Acceptable)
• Air Force: Nil

7. Manifest Myopia: Not Applicable

8. Tinoscopic Myopia:

• Naval: Not Applicable
• Air Force: 0.5

9. Colour Vision:

• Naval: Not Applicable
• Air Force: CPI (MLT)

10. Astigmatism:

• Naval: Not Applicable
• Air Force: +0.75 Cyl (within + 2.0 D.Max)

11. Near Vision:

• Naval: Not Applicable
• Air Force: N5 each eye

Meeting these standards is imperative for NDA aspirants, ensuring they are fit to take on the responsibilities that come with representing our country.