How to Join NDA After 12th (Commerce, Arts, Science) - Eligibility, Application, Selection Process
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.
This Story also Contains
- How To Join NDA After the 12th?
- How To Join NDA After 12th? - NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025
- How To Join NDA After 12th? - Application Process
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.
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)
Q: Can a girl join NDA after 12th 2025?
A:
Yes, girls can apply for NDA as long as they have cleared 10+2.
Q: How can I prepare for NDA after 12th?
A:
Candidates can prepare for the NDA exam by practising the previous year's question papers, giving mock tests etc.
Q: Does 12th marks matter in NDA?
A:
No, 12th marks don’t matter for NDA. Candidates must qualify for the 10+2 with PCM.
Q: What is NDA salary?
A:
The starting salary of candidates is Rs. 56100 while candidates in training will get a stipend.
Q: What are the passing marks in the NDA exam?
A:
There are no passing marks in the NDA exam, however, candidates must score the cutoff marks.
Q: How hard is the NDA exam?
A:
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.
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Questions related to NDA
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to NDA ?
Hello,
No, you are not eligible for NDA 2026.
Eligibility criteria for NDA 2026:
- NDA 1 2026 : Born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
- NDA 2 2026 : Born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
So, your DOB is before the earliest acceptable date for the NDA1 and NDA 2 exams in 2026.
You can check the following link for more details:
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/nda-eligibility-criteria
I hope this answer helps you!
Hello aspirant,
Candidates must have been born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010 in order to be eligible for this exam. You meet the age eligibility requirements since your date of birth falls within this range.
So, you are qualified to take the NDA 1 2026 exam if your birthdate is November 22, 2007.
Thank you
Hello, This is a very important and specific question. Based on the current medical standards for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA), a corrected eyesight of -3.0 D unfortunately makes you ineligible for the Army wing.
The Specific Eyesight Standards for NDA (Army Wing)
The armed forces have very strict visual standards, which are different for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. For the Army, the key limits are related to Myopia (nearsightedness) and Hypermetropia (farsightedness).
- Myopia (Nearsightedness) Limit: The maximum permissible refractive error is -2.5 D.
- Hypermetropia (Farsightedness) Limit: The maximum permissible error is +2.5 D.
Your Situation: Your spectacle power of -3.0 D is beyond the acceptable limit of -2.5 D for myopia.
I hope you found this information helpful.
Hi dear candidate,
You are eligible for NDA Air force and Navy wing even though you have subjects from two different marksheets but having qualified in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics is all you need. Hence, you are eligible but also check other criteria as well like age, physical requirements etc.
Kindly refer to the link below:
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality, Attempt Limit
BEST REGARDS
If your birthday is on 3rd April 2007, you are eligible to apply for the NDA 1 exam in 2026, but you are not eligible for NDA 2, 2026.
Current age limit is Minimum-16.5 years, Maximum-19.5 years.
cgeck here NDA ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Hope it helps..
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