How to Join NDA After 12th (Commerce, Arts, Science) - Eligibility, Application, Selection Process

How to Join NDA After 12th (Commerce, Arts, Science) - Eligibility, Application, Selection Process

Edited By Vishnukumar V | Updated on Jul 15, 2024 11:54 AM IST | #NDA
Upcoming Event
NDA  Exam Date : 13 Apr' 2025 - 13 Apr' 2025

How To Join NDA After 12th?- The NDA and NA exam is one of the most popular exams in India meant for candidates looking to join the Indian defence services. The UPSC conducts this exam twice yearly. The NDA exam can be attempted after 10+2 by candidates who want to join the Indian Defence Services.

It is an extremely competitive exam with strict standards. On this page, we shall discuss in detail how to join the NDA. We will be going over details such as how to join the NDA after 12th, the eligibility criteria etc. Candidates looking to attempt the NDA can go through the material below.

How To Join NDA After the 12th?

  • Candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria of NDA can apply for it.

  • To apply for NDA candidates will have to visit the official website of UPSC and apply online.

  • Those who successfully apply for UPSC NDA will have to appear in the NDA exam and qualify for it.

  • Post clearing the NDA candidates will have to go through a course for the initial 3 years.

  • After completing the course, they will be stationed as a lieutenant in the Indian defence services.

This Story also Contains
  1. How To Join NDA After the 12th?
  2. How To Join NDA After 12th? - NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025
  3. How To Join NDA After 12th? - Application Process
How to Join NDA After 12th (Commerce, Arts, Science) - Eligibility, Application, Selection Process
How to Join NDA After 12th (Commerce, Arts, Science) - Eligibility, Application, Selection Process

Quick links:

How To Join NDA After 12th? - NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prescribes the NDA eligibility criteria and mentions them in the official notification. As per the eligibility criteria, only unmarried candidates who have completed their Class 12 or equivalent examination can apply for the exam.

The eligibility criteria also include nationality, age limit, educational qualification and physical standards which candidates need to fulfil in order to be eligible for the exam. From the following table, candidates can check the detailed eligibility criteria of NDA 2025 consisting of academic qualification, age limit and physical requirements.

Quick links:

NDA educational qualification 2025

NDA Wings

Qualifying Exam details

For Indian Army

Passed 12th standard from State Education Board or a University

For Air Force and Naval

Passed 12th standard with Physics and Mathematics from State Education Board or a University

NDA 1 & 2 age limit 2025

Exam

Age limit

Date of Birth Criteria

NDA (1) 2025

16.5 years - 19.5 years

July 2, 2005 to July 1, 2008

NDA (2) 2025

To be announced

Quick links:

Height and Weight Requirements: Indian Army & Air Force- Males

Height and Weight Requirements: Indian Army & Air Force- Females

Height (in cm)

Minimum weight

Age in years

17-20

20-30

30-40

40+

Weight (in kg)

140

35.3

43.1

45.1

47.0

49.0

141

35.8

43.7

45.7

47.7

49.7

142

36.3

44.4

46.4

48.4

50.4

143

36.8

45.0

47.0

49.1

51.1

144

37.3

45.6

47.7

49.8

51.1

145

37.8

46.9

49.0

50.5

51.8

146

38.4

46.3

48.4

50.5

52.6

147

38.9

47.5

49.7

51.9

54.0

148

39.4

48.2

50.4

52.6

54.8

149

40.0

48.8

51.1

53.3

55.5

150

40.5

49.5

51.8

54.0

56.3

151

41.0

50.2

52.4

54.7

57.0

152

41.6

50.8

53.1

55.4

57.8

153

42.1

51.5

53.8

56.2

58.5

154

42.7

52.2

54.5

56.9

59.3

155

43.2

52.9

55.3

57.7

60.1

156

43.8

53.5

56.0

58.4

60.8

157

44.4

54.2

56.7

59.2

61.6

158

44.9

54.9

57.4

59.9

62.4

159

45.5

55.6

58.1

60.7

63.2

160

46.1

56.3

58.9

61.4

64.0

161

46.7

57.0

59.6

62.2

64.8

162

47.2

57.7

60.4

63.0

65.6

163

47.8

58.5

61.1

63.8

66.4

164

48.4

59.2

61.9

64.6

67.2

165

49

59.9

62.6

65.3

68.1

166

49.6

60.6

63.4

66.1

68.9

167

50.2

61.4

64.1

66.9

69.7

168

50.8

62.1

64.9

67.7

70.6

169

51.4

62.8

65.7

68.5

71.4

170

52

63.6

66.5

69.4

72.3

171

52.6

64.3

67.3

70.2

73.1

172

53.3

65.1

68

71

74

173

53.9

65.8

68.8

71.8

74.8

174

54.5

66.6

69.6

72.7

75.7

175

55.1

67.4

70.4

73.5

76.6

176

55.8

68.1

71.2

74.3

77.4

177

56.4

68.9

72.1

75.2

78.3

178

57

69.7

72.9

76

79.2

179

57.7

70.5

73.7

76.9

80.1

180

58.3

71.3

74.5

77.8

81

181

59

72.1

75.4

78.6

81.9

182

59.6

72.9

76.2

79.5

82.8

183

60.3

73.7

77

80.4

83.7

184

60.9

74.5

77.9

81.3

84.6

185

61.6

75.3

78.7

82.1

85.6

186

62.3

76.1

79.6

83

86.5

187

62.9

76.9

80.4

83.9

87.4

188

63.6

77.8

81.3

84.8

88.4

189

64.3

78.6

82.2

85.7

89.3

190

65

79.4

83

86.6

90.3

191

65.7

80.3

83.9

87.6

91.2

192

66.4

81.1

84.8

88.5

92.2

193

67

81.9

85.7

89.4

93.1

194

67.7

82.8

86.6

90.3

94.1

195

68.4

83.7

87.5

91.3

95.1

196

69.1

84.5

88.4

92.2

96

197

69.9

85.4

89.3

93.1

97

198

70.6

86.2

90.2

94.1

98

199

71.3

87.1

91.1

95

99

200

72

88

92

96

100

201

72.7

88.9

92.9

97

101

202

73.4

89.8

93.8

97.9

102

203

74.2

90.7

94.8

98.9

103

204

74.9

91.6

95.7

99.9

104

205

75.6

92.5

96.7

100.9

105.1

206

76.4

93.4

97.6

101.8

106.1

207

77.1

94.3

98.6

102.8

107.1

208

77.9

95.2

99.5

103.8

108.2

209

78.6

96.1

100.5

104.8

109.2

210

79.4

97

101.4

105.8

110.3

Height and Weight Requirements: Indian Army & Air Force- Females

Height (in cm)

Minimum weight

Age in years

17-20

20-30

30-40

40+

Weight (in kg)

140

35.3

43.1

45.1

47.0

49.0

141

35.8

43.7

45.7

47.7

49.7

142

36.3

44.4

46.4

48.4

50.4

143

36.8

45.0

47.0

49.1

51.1

144

37.3

45.6

47.7

49.8

51.1

145

37.8

46.9

49.0

50.5

51.8

146

38.4

46.3

48.4

50.5

52.6

147

38.9

47.5

49.7

51.9

54.0

148

39.4

48.2

50.4

52.6

54.8

149

40.0

48.8

51.1

53.3

55.5

150

40.5

49.5

51.8

54.0

56.3

151

41.0

50.2

52.4

54.7

57.0

152

41.6

50.8

53.1

55.4

57.8

153

42.1

51.5

53.8

56.2

58.5

154

42.7

52.2

54.5

56.9

59.3

155

43.2

52.9

55.3

57.7

60.1

156

43.8

53.5

56.0

58.4

60.8

157

44.4

54.2

56.7

59.2

61.6

158

44.9

54.9

57.4

59.9

62.4

159

45.5

55.6

58.1

60.7

63.2

160

46.1

56.3

58.9

61.4

64.0

161

46.7

57.0

59.6

62.2

64.8

162

47.2

57.7

60.4

63.0

65.6

163

47.8

58.5

61.1

63.8

66.4

Height and Weight Requirements: Indian Navy- (Males/females)

Height (in cm)


Age in years


Upto 17


17-18


18-20


20-30


30+


Weight (in kg)

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

1.47

37

45

40

45

40

48

40

50

40

52

1.48

37

46

41

46

41

48

41

50

41

53

1.49

38

47

41

47

41

49

41

51

41

53

1.5

38

47

42

47

42

50

42

52

42

54

1.51

39

48

42

48

42

50

42

52

42

55

1.52

39

49

43

49

43

51

43

53

43

55

1.53

40

49

43

49

43

51

43

54

43

56

1.54

40

49

43

49

43

52

44

55

44

57

1.55

41

50

44

50

44

53

44

55

44

58

1.56

41

51

45

51

45

54

45

56

45

58

1.57

42

52

46

52

46

54

46

57

46

60

1.58

42

52

46

52

46

54

46

57

46

59

1.59

43

53

47

53

47

56

47

58

47

61

1.6

44

54

47

53

47

56

47

59

47

61

1.61

44

54

48

54

48

57

48

60

48

62

1.62

45

55

49

55

49

58

49

60

49

63

1.63

45

56

49

56

49

58

49

61

49

64

1.64

46

56

50

56

50

59

50

62

50

65

1.65

46

57

50

57

50

60

50

63

50

65

1.66

47

58

51

58

51

61

51

63

51

66

1.67

47

59

52

59

52

61

52

64

52

67

1.68

48

59

52

59

52

62

52

65

52

68

1. 69

49

60

53

60

53

63

53

66

53

69

1.7

49

61

53

61

53

64

53

66

53

69

1.71

50

62

54

62

54

64

54

67

54

70

1.72

50

63

55

63

55

65

55

68

55

71

1.73

51

64

55

64

55

66

55

69

55

72

1.74

51

64

56

64

56

67

56

70

56

73

1.75

52

65

57

65

57

67

57

70

57

74

1.76

53

66

57

66

57

68

57

71

57

74

1.77

53

66

58

66

58

69

58

72

58

75

1.78

54

67

59

67

59

70

59

73

59

76

1.79

54

67

59

67

59

70

59

74

59

77

1.8

55

68

60

68

60

71

60

75

60

78

1.81

56

69

61

69

61

72

61

75

61

79

1.82

56

70

61

70

61

73

61

76

61

79

1.83

57

70

62

70

62

74

62

77

62

80

1.84

58

71

63

71

63

74

63

78

63

81

1.85

58

72

63

72

63

75

63

79

63

82

1.86

59

73

64

73

64

76

64

80

64

83

1.87

59

73

65

73

65

77

65

80

65

84

1.88

60

74

65

74

65

78

65

81

65

85

1.89

61

75

66

75

66

79

66

82

66

86

1.9

61

76

67

76

67

79

67

83

67

87

1.91

62

77

67

77

67

80

67

84

67

88

1.92

63

77

68

77

68

81

68

85

68

88

1.93

63

78

69

78

69

82

69

86

69

89

1.94

64

79

70

79

70

83

70

87

70

90

1.95

65

80

70

80

70

84

70

87

70

91

Quick links:

Vision requirement - Indian Navy

Requirements

Vision Standard

Uncorrected without glass

6/6, 6/9

Corrected with glass

6/6, 6/6

Limits of Myopia

-0.75

Limits of Hypermetropia

1.5

Binocular vision

III

Limits of colour perception

I

Vision requirement - Indian Air Force

Requirements

Vision Standard

Minimum distant vision

6/6, 6/9

Corrected with glass (for Hypermetropia)

6/6, 6/6

Colour vision

CP-I

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 maximum)

Maddox Rod Test at 6 meters

Exo-6 prism D

Eso-6 prism D

Hyper-1 prism D

Hypro-1 prism D

Maddox Rod Test at 33 cms

Exo-16 prism D

Eso-6 prism D

Hyper-1 prism D

Hypo-1 prism D

Quick links:

How To Join NDA After 12th? - Application Process

The NDA 1 application form 2025 will be released on the official website of the UPSC. The NDA form comprises two parts. The first part consists of registration while the second consists of detailed form filling, selecting exam centres and paying the application fee. Check the steps here to fill out the application form.

  • Registration for the exam by filling in required details

  • Choosing preferred branches

  • Verifying the details

  • Generation of registration ID

  • Selecting exam centre

  • Paying application fee

  • Uploading signature and photograph

Quick links:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I prepare for NDA after 12th?

Candidates can prepare for the NDA exam by practising the previous year's question papers, giving mock tests etc.

2. Can a girl join NDA after 12th 2025?

Yes, girls can apply for NDA as long as they have cleared 10+2.

3. Does 12th marks matter in NDA?

No, 12th marks don’t matter for NDA. Candidates must qualify for the 10+2 with PCM.

4. What is NDA salary?

The starting salary of candidates is Rs. 56100 while candidates in training will get a stipend.

5. What are the passing marks in the NDA exam?

There are no passing marks in the NDA exam, however, candidates must score the cutoff marks.

6. How hard is the NDA exam?

Yes, NDA is one of the toughest exams in India. Due to the high competitive level and a lot of candidates applying for it. However, with proper preparations and an effective study plan candidates can qualify it easily.

Articles

Certifications By Top Providers

Understanding Gender and Law
Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
Human Rights Law and Criminal Justice
Via LMS Law College, Imphal
Access to Justice
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Library Science
Via Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Vivekananda Vidyabhavan Girls' College, Kolkata
MPSE 001 India and World Politics Challenges and Opportunities in 21st Century
Via Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
Roadmap for Patent Creation
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Swayam
 211 courses
Edx
 198 courses
LawSikho
 127 courses
Futurelearn
 89 courses
Coursera
 76 courses
Udemy
 63 courses

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
University College London, London
 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
 Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Post Code EH8 9YL
University of Bristol, Bristol
 Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
 University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Magister Jurisdiction
4 minMar 18, 2023 16:03 PM IST
GMAT Exam Dates 2025: City Wise Test Schedule in India
13 minDec 31, 2024 03:12 AM IST

Questions related to NDA

Have a question related to NDA ?

Hello aspirant,

Candidates must fulfill the age limits established by UPSC in order to be eligible for the NDA 1 and NDA 2 in 2026. The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam has an age range of 16.5 to 19.5 years. This also holds true for the NDA 2 exam.

Thank you

Hope it helps you

If you’re aiming to join the National Defence Academy (NDA), here’s a simplified guide to help you:


1. Eligibility:


Age Limit: You must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years old.


Educational Requirements:


For Army Wing: You can apply with any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts).


For Air Force & Navy Wings: You need to have Physics and Mathematics in your 12th standard.



Physical Fitness: You'll need to meet specific physical and medical standards (important for your health checkup later).



2. Application Process:


When to Apply: The UPSC releases the NDA exam notification twice a year, typically in January and June.


How to Apply: You can apply online through the official UPSC website.



3. Exam Pattern:


Written Exam:


Mathematics: 300 marks (2.5 hours)


General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks (2.5 hours)



SSB Interview: If you clear the written exam, you will face a detailed interview that tests your physical, mental, and emotional strength.



4. Preparation Tips:


Create a Study Plan: Make sure you cover all subjects systematically.


Practice Regularly: Solve previous years' question papers and attempt mock tests.


Physical Fitness: NDA demands physical fitness, so regular exercise is crucial.


Stay Informed: Keep up with current events and general knowledge, which is an important part of the exam.



5. Coaching and Resources:


You can join coaching centers for structured preparation or rely on books, especially NCERT textbooks.


Books for NDA: Some good books include NDA’s guide by R.S. Aggarwal or Lucent’s General Knowledge.



6. Medical and Other Considerations:


Make sure you meet the medical standards during the NDA medical examination.


Keep checking the official UPSC website for updates on exam dates and notifications.

By staying disciplined and consistent in your preparation, you’ll be on the right track to secure a place in NDA. Focus on both the academic and physical aspects, and don't forget to be mentally prepared for the challenges ahead!

Hello aspirant,

Candidates for NDA 1 2026 must have been born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010. Candidates for NDA 2 2026 must have been born between January 2, 2008, and January 1, 2011. According to your date of birth, you will surpass the age limit in 2026 at the age of 19.

Thank you

Hello,

To be eligible for NDA 1 and 2 in 2026:

  • Eligibility Age Range: Candidates should be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old.
  • NDA 1 2026: Candidates must be born between 2 July 2007 and 1 July 2010.
  • NDA 2 2026: Candidates must be born between 2 January 2008 and 1 January 2011.
  • Your DOB: 20 January 2007 makes you 19 years old in 2026, exceeding the age limit.

Hence, you are not eligible for NDA 1 or 2 in 2026.

Hope it helps !

Hello there,

To determine your eligibility for the NDA 1 2026 exam , consider the age criteria set by UPSC:

Age Criteria for NDA 1 2026 (April Exam):

  1. Candidates must be born between : 2nd July 2006 and 1st July 2009 (both dates inclusive).

  2. You must be unmarried .

    Your Eligibility:
  • Your date of birth is 25th April 2007 .
  • This falls within the required range (2nd July 2006 – 1st July 2009).

    Conclusion:

Yes, you are eligible to apply for the NDA 1 2026 exam . Ensure you meet other criteria like educational qualifications (12th pass or appearing).


For more details about the Eligibility Criteria CLICK HERE .

I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.


View All
Back to top