NDA Eligibility Criteria 2023: Age Limit, Qualification, Physical Fitness for Female and Male

NDA Eligibility Criteria 2023

NDA Eligibility is defined by the UPSC for recruitment into the defence forces of the country. In order to apply for NDA exam, only unmarried male and female candidates are now eligible to fill the form. Candidates who will be appearing for the NDA 2023 exam must be well versed with the NDA eligibility that comprises of fulfilling the following parameters:

- NDA Age Limit

- NDA Nationality

- NDA Educational Qualification

- NDA Physical/ Medical Qualification

- NDA Marital Status 

Candidates who are planning to apply for NDA exam should ensure that they re mentally and physically fit to join the defence forces of the country. Other than this, they should also ensure that they have the permanent tattoos only on the parts that are permitted by the officials. Get complete details on the NDA eligibility 2023 for NDA 2 exam here. 

NDA Eligibility for Female

The Supreme Court of India has permitted the girls to appear for NDA exam through a verdict in 2021. The decision was taken by the Court after a writ petition was filed by Kush Kalra in the Supreme Court to allow women to appear for NDA. The petition also raised objections against the issue of violation of Articles 14, 15, 16, and 19 of the Indian Constitution by not allowing the desired female candidates to participate in the NDA Exam.

Thus, the NDA eligibility for female candidates remains the same as their male counterparts. Get complete details on NDA eligibility criteria for females here.

NDA Age Limit

As per the NDA eligibility criteria, the age limit for NDA exam for male and female candidates remains the same. The minimum age limit for NDA 2 exam 2023 is 16.5 years while the maximum age limit of the candidate must be 19.5 years. You must note that the Commission will accept the age limit that is mentioned in the candidate’s 10th certificate. 

NDA Educational Qualification

In order to apply for NDA exam, candidates must fulfill the educational qualification as prescribed by the UPSC. The candidates must have passed or appeared in class 12th examination from any recognised board. You must note that there is no requirement of minimum percentage that has to be obtained by the candidate to appear for the exam. 

Marital Status to Apply for NDA

Unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply for NDA exam. Candidates are not allowed to marry until they complete their training. Candidates who marry subsequent to the date of his application though successful at this or any subsequent Examination will not be selected for training.

If a candidate marries during the training period, then he/she will be discharged and will have to refund all expenditures incurred on him by the Government. 

NDA Physical Eligibility Requirement

All the candidates who will be applying for the NDA exam must ensure that are physically and mentally fit and healthy to join the NDA. The NDA height and weight for female and male candidates is shared here. 

NDA Height & Weight for Army and Air Force

The minimum height for the Indian Army is 157 cms. However, certain exceptions are applicable to the people who belong to a certain place. The candidates who belong to the hills of North-Eastern areas of India, Garhwal, and Kumaon, Gorkhas or are Gorkhas, the minimum height will be 5 cms less than the figure mentioned below.. For the candidates belonging to Lakshadweep, the minimum height standard is reduced by 2 cms.

The NDA height and weight for Army and Air Force is shared in the table below. 

Height and Weight for Navy

The height and weight requirements for Indian Navy are as follows: 

NDA Medical Requirements for Visual Standards

All the candidates who apply for NDA exam must ensure that they fulfill the medical requirements as stated by the UPSC in the UPSC NDA notification. The medical requiremtns for visual standards are as follows: 

• The distance vision (corrected) of candidates should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye
• Myopia should not be more than 2.5 D
• Hypermetropia not more than 3.5 D including astigmatism
• Air Force candidates must not wear spectacles

The NDA visual requirements are stated in the table below for Navy and Air Force.

NDA Physical Fitness Test: Removal of Body Tattoos

All the candidates who are aiming to join the NDA must ensure that they do not have permanent tattoos that are visible in uniform. 

• Permanent body tattoos are allowed on the inside of elbow to the wrist and on the reverse side of palm/back (dorsal) side of hand.
• Tribes with tattoo marks on their face or body or as per their custom and traditions are acceptable. 
• Permanent tattoo on any other part of the body is not permitted. 

NDA Medical Exam for Female Candidates

The female candidates who apply for NDA exam will be examined thoroughly by the medical team. A detailed menstrual, gynecological and obstetric history in the form of a questionnaire has to be obtained from the candidate. The medical exam for female candidates shall be done for the following inspections: 

(a) External genitalia

(b) Hernial orifices and the perineum

(c) Any evidence of stress urinary incontinence or genital prolapsed outside introitus. 

(d) Evidence of lump breast and galactorrhoea

Apart from the above-mentioned tests, the following medical exam for female candidates willing to join NDA will also be carried out: 

• Speculum or per vaginal examination will not be carried out
• Ultrasound scan of the abdomen and pelvis is mandatory in all female candidates during the initial Medical Examination.
• Any abnormality of external genitalia will be considered on the merits of each case. Significant hirsutism especially with male pattern of hair growth along with radiological evidence of PCOS, will be a cause for rejection. 

Unfit Female Candidates Criteria for NDA Exam

The following female candidates with the following conditions will be considered unfit to join the NDA: 

• Primary or secondary amenorrhoea 
• Severe Menorrhagia or/ and severe dysmenorrhea
• Stress urinary incontinence 
• Congenital elongation of cervix or prolapsed which comes outside the introitus even after corrective surgery
• Pregnancy
• Complex ovarian cyst of any size
• Simple ovarian cyst more than six cm
• Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
• Submucous fibroid of any size
• Broad ligament or cervical fibroid of any size causing pressure over the ureter
• Single fibroid uterus more than three cm in diameter; fibroids more than two in number (each fibroid not more than fifteen mm in diameter) or fibroids causing distortion of the endometrial cavity
• Congenital uterine anomalies except for arcuate uterus
• Acute or chronic pelvic infection
• Disorders of sexual differentiation