Education and Career Forum

Sir, What is the eligibility criteria to apply for NDA examination and which stream students are eligible to apply for this examination covid 19 pandemic year because I heard eligibility has been relaxed due to Corona.
Can I apply for the examination after 11th class?

The changes are not made in the eligibility criteria to appear for NDA examination.

NDA examination is conducted by UPSC. The candidates in std 12th or have passed are eligible to appear for the examination.

The age limit is 16.5-19.5 years. Only male candidates are eligible to appear in the examination.

For detail information about the examination pattern visit at www.upsc.gov.in.

Eligibility criteria to apply for NDA examination during Covid 19 pandemic:-


✓ Educational Qualification:- The candidates must have the Class 12 pass of the (10+2) pattern of School Education or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
✓ Age Limit:- Only unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 2001, and not later than January 1, 2004, are eligible.
✓ Nationality:- Candidate's nationality must be a citizen of India or a subject of Nepal, or a subject of Bhutan.


No, Eligibility has not been relaxed for NDA examination due to corona.


For further more details candidates can check the official notification of NDA examination.

NDA stands for National Defense Academy, and to join the same one is required to qualify NDA examination held twice every year by UPSC.

Further, the basic qualifications required for appearing in the same examination are as below :-

* You must be an unmarried Indian male candidate.

* Your age must lie within 16.5 years to 19.5 years.

* You must have completed your Class 12th in any discipline from a recognized board of examination. In case you are looking to join Indian Navy or Indian Air force wing of NDA, then you must have studied Mathematics and Physics at your Class 12th level.

* You must hold the physical fitness as per the service requirement norms.

Further, I would like to add here is that no relaxation in any type of eligibility condition is being offered due to COVID 19 pandemic situation.

For more details and updates regarding NDA examination, you can refer to the link www.upsc.gov.in.

Candidates need to fulfill the below-mentioned eligibility criteria to apply for the NDA examination:-
Age Limit:

For NDA 1 exam,

Candidates must have born not earlier than July 2, 2002, and not later than July 1, 2005.

For NDA 2 exam,

Candidates must have born not earlier than January 2, 2002, and not later than January 1, 2006.

Educational qualification:

Army Wing of National Defense Academy: Passed 12/HSC or equivalent.

Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy of National Defense Academy: Passed 12/HSC with Physics and Mathematics

NDA 2021 Eligibility Criteria:-
-Nationality:-Indian national, a subject of Bhutan or a subject of Nepal category
-Gender: Only male category candidates will be eligible to apply.
-Age Limit: Candidate’s age must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years to be eligible for NDA 2021 examination.
-Marital Status: Candidates must be unmarried to be eligible for NDA 2021
-Physical fitness: Candidates must be physically fit as per the norms.
-Candidates appearing in the ( appearing 12 board)qualifying exam will be also eligible to apply for NDA.
-**For Army Wing or National Defence Academy: Candidates must qualify 12th or equivalent examination .
-**For Air force & Naval wings of NDA & for 10+2 cadet entry scheme at the Indian Naval Academy : Applying candidates must qualify 12th (maths and physics compulsory subjects))