NDA 1 Eligibility Criteria 2025: Check NDA Age Limit, Qualification and Nationality

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Examination (NDA) twice a year to recruit eligible candidates. The NDA 1 2025 exam is scheduled for April 13, 2025, and aspirants must fulfil all the eligibility criteria to ensure their candidature.

In the article below we have provided a detailed breakdown of the UPSC NDA 1 2025 Eligibility Criteria, which covers nationality, age limits, educational qualifications, and physical standards for academies such as the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy.

NDA 1 2025 Eligibility Criteria Highlights 

NDA 1 eligibility criteria include the age limits, marital status and educational qualification in different academies. Candidates who have completed the class 12th-level examination and were born between 2nd July, 2006 and 1st July, 2009, are eligible to apply.

NDA 2025 Educational Qualification

The educational qualification criteria vary as per the academy the candidate is applying to. 

Candidates who have completed their class 12th level education are eligible to apply. However, candidates who are appearing in the 12th class under the 10+2 pattern of school education or an equivalent examination can also apply for this examination. Check the academy-wise required educational qualification below.

For the Army Wing of the National Defence Academy: Completed class 12th from the 10+2

pattern of school education or equivalent examination conducted by a state education board or a university

For the Air Force and Naval Wings of the National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: Completed class 12th with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent conducted by a state education board or a university.

NDA 2025 Age Limit

The NDA age limit is an important element for determining the eligibility of candidates applying for NDA 1. Only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than 2nd July, 2006 and not later than 01st July, 2009, are eligible to apply. 

The date of birth will be according to the one that is entered in the matriculation or secondary school leaving certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian university as equivalent to matriculation.

Also Check,

What is the Nationality for NDA? 

Candidates applying for NDA 1 2025 must be unmarried and must be

A citizen of India, or

A subject of Nepal, or

A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam intending to permanently settle in India.

Candidates falling under categories other than Indian citizens must provide a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India.

NDA 1 Eligibility Criteria 2025: Physical Requirement

Candidates applying for the NDA 1 examination must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2025. A candidate who has resigned or withdrawn on disciplinary grounds from any of the training academies of Armed Forces is not eligible to apply.