NDA Eligibility 2022: Age Limit, Education, Physical Standards

NDA eligibility criteria arespecified by UPSC in the NDA official notification. It includes factors like nationality, age limit, educational qualification, and physical & medical requirements. The age criteria forthe NDA examarebetween 16 to 19 years. Candidates who have passed or are either appearing for the class 12th exam are eligible to fill in the NDA application form 2022.

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This article contains detailed information about the NDA eligibility criteria. Interested candidates must alsocheck the detailed NDA syllabus and salary.

Here are the key points related to the NDA Exam eligibility criteria for 2022:

Earlier, only unmarried male candidates were allowed to appear for the NDA exam and female candidates were not allowed to apply which has been recently changed.

A writ petition was filed by Kush Kalra in the Supreme Court to allow women to appear for NDA in 2021. The petition raised objections against the issue of violation of Articles 14, 15, 16, and 19 of the Constitution of India by not allowing the desired female candidates in the NDA Exam.

In response to the same, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy passed the interim order allowing the female candidates to be a part of the NDA in 2021. The decisions regarding the specifications like age criteria, nature of training, intake strength, training standards, and medical and physical standards were rested upon the Ministry of Defence. It was also specified that separate physical infrastructure and residential quarters with strict physical separation would be allotted to female candidates including separate bathroom cubicles, swimming, equitation, games, and sports facilities.

As per the female eligibility criteria stated in the NDA 2022 notification, the age limit, educational qualification, & marital status requirements for female candidates is the same as for male candidates.

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All the candidates including females need to meet the criteria with regard to nationality to be eligible for the NDA application. The candidate must be either one of the following:

• A citizen of India
• A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
• A Tibetan refugee who moved to India, before January 1, 1962, with the intention of settling here permanently
• A PIO (Person of Indian origin) is someone who has migrated from the countries specified below, with the intention of permanently settling in India. The nationals from the following countries would fall under this category such as Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (Formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar ), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam.

To know the detailed information about the NDA age limit, go through the following table.

• It should be clearly noted that only candidates who are not born after January 02, 2004, and before January 01, 2007(both dates inclusive), are eligible to appear for NDA 2 Exam 2022.
• Married candidates are ineligible to apply for the NDA Exam.
• The date of birth mentioned in the application must be the same as that mentioned in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate.

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The academic qualifications vary slightly according to the post that the candidate has applied for. The details of educational qualification requirements for different posts are specified below.

There are certain requirements pertaining to the physical fitness or features that must be fulfilled by the candidate at the time of submitting the NDA Application forms.

• The NDA eligibility criteria for physical fitness vary slightly according to the post for which the candidate is applying.
• It must be understood that if a candidate has resigned or withdrawn from any of the training academies of the Armed Forces, on disciplinary grounds, he/she will not be eligible to apply for the NDA exam 2022.

The required NDA physical criteria are listed below.

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The candidate must not be suffering from any of these minor conditions at the time of the NDA medical exam as that would lead to the candidate’s ineligibility:

• Wax (Ears)
• Deviated Nasal Septum
• Hydrocele / Phimosis
• Condition of Overweight / Underweight
• Under Sized Chest
• Piles
• Tonsillitis
• Gynaecomastia
• Varicocele

• The candidates must ensure that the permanent body tattoos (if there) should only be present on the inner side of the forearm.
• Under no circumstances will UPSC accept tattoos on the inside of the elbow to the wrist and on the reverse side of the palm/back (dorsal) side of the hand.
• Permanent body tattoos on any other part of the body are also not acceptable.
• In case the candidate happens to belong to a tribe where it is customary to have tattoo marks on the face or body, acceptance will be granted on a case-to-case basis, considering the traditions involved. The decision of authorities would be final in such instances.

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Candidates need to follow the guidelines laid down by the recruitment body. Individuals can understand the guidelines with the help of points and the table mentioned below:

• Body Mass Index should be below 25.
• The Waist to Hip ratio should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.
• Waist Circumference should be less than 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females.
• All biochemical metabolic parameters should be within normal limits.

The details in this regard are discussed below.

Note:There are some important points to know before applying to the NDA:

• If a candidate’s weight will be less than the minimum number, then he/she will be rejected (not in some exceptions mentioned below). Weights higher than the acceptable limit will be acceptable only in the case of candidates with documented evidence of bodybuilding, wrestling, and boxing at the National level. In such cases, the following criteria will have to be met.
• The height and weight for candidates below 17 years will be followed as per guidelines by ‘Indian Academy of Paediatrics growth charts for height, weight and BMI for 05 Years to 16 Years old children’ amended from time to time.
• The minimum height required for male candidates for entry into the Armed Forces is 157 cm or as decided by the respective recruiting agency. Gorkhas and candidates belonging to Hills of North Eastern region of India. Garhwal and Kumaon will be accepted with a minimum height of 152 cm.
• An allowance for growth of 02 cm will be made for candidates below 18 yrs of age at the time of examination. The minimum height requirement for the Flying Branch is 163 cm. Anthropometric standards like sitting height, leg length and thigh length are also required by the Flying Branch.

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Candidates applying for Air Force should know the required height and weight standards in advance to avoid any unwanted problems. A 10% variation on the higher side of the average is acceptable. The required standards are mentioned in the table below:

In case, the candidate wishes to be a pilot in the Air Force, the minimum height requirement for the Flying Branch is 163 cm. Candidates who want to apply for the Flying Branch must keep the following requirements in mind, due to constraints of the flying vehicle:

• Leg Length: Minimum of 99 cms and Maximum of 120 cms
• Thigh Length: Minimum is not applicable while Maximum of 64 cms
• Sitting Height: Minimum of 81.50 cms and Maximum of 96 cms

Note: Weights higher than the stated limit will be acceptable only in exceptional circumstances in case of those candidates who have documented evidence of bodybuilding, wrestling and boxing. However, in such cases, the following criteria will have to be met:

(a) BMI should be below 27.

(b) The Waist to Hip ratio should be below 0.9 for males and 0.8 for females.

(c) Waist circumference should be less than 94 cm for males and 89 cm for females.

(d) All biochemical metabolic parameters should be within normal limits.

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Weights higher than the acceptable limit will be acceptable only in the case of candidates with documented evidence of bodybuilding, wrestling, and boxing at the National level. In such cases, the following criteria will have to be met.

• Body Mass Index should be below 25.
• The Waist to Hip ratio should be below 0.9 for males and females.
• Waist Circumference should be less than 90 cm for males and 80 cm for females.
• All biochemical metabolic parameters should be within normal limits.

The standards are different for Navy posts and the particulars are summarized below:

There are some medical conditions that are not acceptable and it will lead to the rejection of the application. Candidates must be aware of the following conditions in advance to avoid rejection.

• It must, however, be ensured that the candidate is in good health.
• There should be no evidence of weak constitution, imperfect development of any system, or any congenital deformities/ diseases/syndrome or malformation.
• No swelling/s including tumors/ cyst/ swollen lymph node/s anywhere on the body. No sinus/es or fistula/e anywhere on the body.
• No hyper or hypopigmentation or any other disease/syndrome/disability of the skin.
• No hernia anywhere on the body.
• No scars that can impair functioning and cause significant disfigurement.
• No arterio-venous malformation anywhere in/on the body.
• No malformation of the head and face including asymmetry, deformity from fracture or depression of the bones of the skull; or scars indicating old operative interference and malformation like sinuses and fistulae, etc.
• No impairment of vision including colour perception and field of vision.
• No hearing impairment, deformities/disabilities in-ears vestibule-cochlear system.
• No impediment of speech due to any etiology.
• No disease/disability/ congenital anomaly/syndrome of the bones or cartilages of the nose, palate, nasal polyps, or disease of the nasoPharynx, uvula, and accessory sinuses.
• There should be no nasal deformity and no features of chronic tonsillitis.
• No disease of the digestive system including any abnormality of the liver, or pancreas in endocrinal, congenital, hereditary, or genetic diseases /syndromes and disabilities.
• No diseases/syndrome/disability of any endocrinal system, reticuloendothelial system.
• No diseases/ syndrome/ disability of genito-urinary system including malformations, atrophy/hypertrophy of any organ or gland.
• No active, latent or congenital venereal disease.
• No history or evidence of mental disease, epilepsy, incontinence of urine, or enuresis.
• No disease/deformity/syndrome of the musculoskeletal system and joints including skull, spine, and limbs.
• There is no congenital or hereditary disease/ syndrome/disability.

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The presence of any of these dental conditions will lead to the rejection of the application:

• Incipient pathological conditions of the jaws are progressive or recurrent.
• Significant jaw discrepancies between the upper and lower jaw which may hamper efficient mastication and/or speech will be a cause for rejection.
• Symptomatic Temporo-Mandibular Joint clicking and tenderness. A mouth opening of less than 30 mm was measured at the incisal edges, Dislocation of the TMJ on wide opening.
• All potentially cancerous conditions.
• Clinical diagnosis of submucous fibrosis with or without the restriction of mouth opening.
• Poor oral health status in the form of gross visible calculus, periodontal pockets, and/or bleeding from gums.
• Loose teeth: More than two mobile teeth will render the candidate unfit.
• Candidates who have undergone cosmetic or post-traumatic maxillofacial surgery/trauma will be considered UNFIT for at least 24 weeks from the date of surgery/injury.

The presence of any of these conditions will immediately render the candidate disqualified:

• The granulomatous disease of the spine.
• Arthritis/spondylosis (Rheumatoid arthritis and allied disorders / Ankylosing spondylitis / Osteoarthritis, spondylosis and degenerative joint disease / Non-articular rheumatism (e.g. lesions of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, recurrent lumbago, etc.) & Miscellaneous disorders including SLE, polymyositis, vasculitis.
• Spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis
• Compression fracture of vertebrae
• SC Heuerman’s disease (Adolescent kyphosis)
• Loss of cervical lordosis when associated with clinically restricted movements of the cervical spine.
• Unilateral / Bilateral cervical ribs with demon stable neurological or circulatory deficit.
• Scoliosis measuring more than 15 degrees as measured by Cobb’s method.
• Degenerative Disc. Disease.
• Presence of Schmorl’s nodes at more than one level.
• Atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial anomalies.
• Hemi vertebrae and/or incomplete block (fused) vertebrae at any level in cervical, dorsal or lumbar spine and complete block (fused) vertebrae at more than one level in cervical or dorsal spine.
• Unilateral Sacralisation or lumbarisation (Complete or incomplete) at all levels and bilateral incomplete sacralisation or lumbarisation.

Any other abnormalities if and so considered by the specialist.

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There will be an x-ray performed to detect any of the below-mentioned conditions as the presence of any of these will disqualify the applicant for posts of Armed Forces:

• The granulomatous disease of the spine.
• Arthritis/spondylosis
• Scoliosis is more than 15 degrees as measured by Cobb’s Method (10 degrees for Army and Navy).
• More than mild Kyphosis/Lordosis
• Spondylolisthesis / Spondylosis / Spondylolysis
• Herniated nucleus pulposus.
• Compression fracture of the Vertebra.
• Sacralisation Disease
• Cervical ribs with demonstrable neurological or Circulatory deficit.
• Presence of Schmorl’s node at more than one level.
• Atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial anomalies.
• Incomplete Sacralisation Unilateral or Bilateral
• Spina Bifida other than SV 1 and LV 5 if completely Sacralised
• Any other abnormality, if so considered by specialist

• The distance vision (corrected) of the candidate should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye.
• Myopia should not be more than 2.5 D and hypermetropia not more than 3.5 D, including Astigmatism.
• It must be remembered that an internal NDA exam of the eye will be done by means of an ophthalmoscope to rule out any possibility of eye diseases.
• Candidates must possess good binocular vision. The colour vision standard for the Army is (CP-III).
• The ability to recognize red and green colours is vital.
• A certificate that neither the candidate nor any member of his family has suffered from congenital night blindness, will have to be produced.
• Another noteworthy point is that candidates who have undergone Radial Keratotomy, to improve their visual acuity, or Laser Surgery, will be permanently rejected for all Services.

The details of eyesight levels for different posts are provided below:

A candidate recommended by the Services Selection Board (SSB) will undergo an NDA medical exam (Special Medical Board) by a Board of Service Medical Officers. Only those candidates, who are declared fit by the Medical Board, will be admitted to the Academy.

However, the President of the Medical Board will intimate the candidates declared unfit of their results and the procedure for an Appeal Medical Board (AMB) will be completed in a Command Hospital or equivalent within 42 days of the Special Medical Board.

• Candidates who are declared unfit by the Appeal Medical Board (AMB) may request for Review Medical Board (RMB) within one day of completion of Appeal Medical Board.
• The following investigations will be carried out mandatorily during the Special Medical Board. However, a candidate may ask for any other investigation as required or indicated:

1. Complete Haemogram
2. Urine RE/ME
3. X-Ray chest PA views
4. USG abdomen & pelvis

During NDA Medical Examination, candidates must be physically and mentally fit as per the below statements.

• The candidate is mentally sound and intelligent. The hearing is good and there is no sign of any disease of the ear, nose, or throat.
• Vision in each eye is up to the required standard. His/ her eyes are bright, clear, and with no obvious squint or abnormality. Movements of eyeballs should be full and free in all directions.
• Speech is without impediment. There is no glandular swelling.
• Chest is well-formed and his/her heart and lungs are sound.
• Limbs of the candidates are well-formed and fully developed.
• There is no evidence of hernia of any degree or form.
• There is free and perfect action of all the joints. Feet and toes are well-formed

Kerato Refractive Surgery: Those candidates who have undergone any refractive surgery such as PRK/LASIK/SMILE can be considered fit in every branch except submarine, diving & MARCO cadre.

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An individual must know the required standards related to Ear, Nose & Throat in advance to avoid any last-minute hustle. The major requirements are.

• A candidate should be able to hear a forced whisper at a distance of 610 cm with each ear separately with back to the examiner.
• The operation of tympanoplasty with or without cortical mastoidectomy for a dry central perforation of the tympanic membrane is considered curative once the graft has taken up provided tympanic membrane is intact, mobile with free field hearing of 610 cm in each ear 45 separately and a normal hearing threshold on pure tone audiometry.
• A gap of three months is considered adequate after operation of complete healing and graft stabilization.

This section will cover the required medical standards for candidates to get eligible for commissioning through NDA into Flying & Ground Duty Branches in the IAF. All candidates during their induction should meet the basic physical fitness standards which will enable them to proficiently undergo the training and the subsequent service in varied climatic and work environments.

A candidate will not be assessed physically fit unless the complete examination shows that he/ she is physically and mentally capable of withstanding the severe physical and mental strain for prolonged periods.

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Every candidate who is required to fulfil the below-given physical standards to become eligible for the NDA exam will be opting for the Air Force. The various physical standards are the following.

• Spine injuries - Cases of old fractures of the spine are unfit. Any residual deformity of the spine or compression of a vertebra will be cause for rejection.
• Nerve injuries - Injuries involving the trunks of the larger nerves, resulting in loss of function, or neuroma formation, which causes pain significant tingling, indicate unsuitability for employment in flying duties.
• Surgical Scars - Minor well-healed scars for e.g. as resulting from any superficial surgery do not, per se, indicate unsuitability for employment. Extensive scarring of a limb or torso that may cause a functional limitation or unsightly appearance should be considered unfit.
• Birthmarks - Abnormal pigmentation in the form of hypo or hyper-pigmentation is not acceptable. Localized, congenital mole/ naevus, however, is acceptable provided its size is <10 cm. Congenital multiple naevi or vascular tumours that interfere with function or are exposed to constant irritation are not acceptable.

Candidates need a minimum height of 162.5 cm for the Flying Branch. The detailed requirements of leg, thigh & sitting length are as follows.

Most of the bodyweight parameters are similar for flying & ground duty. But, there are some essential points candidates must be aware of. These are:

(a) BMI should be below 27.

(b) The waist Hip ratio must be below 0.9 for males and for females it is 0.8.

(c) Waist circumference should be less than 94 cm for males and 89 cm for females.

To know the Body Weight Parameters in detail, candidates can click here.

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The details of the required weight criteria for the male candidates applying for Flying and Ground Duty are given below.

The female aspirants of flying and ground duty branches have to fill the following weight requirements based on their height to be eligible.

The candidates aspiring to join as officers have to fulfill the following physical requirements. The failure in fulfilling any criteria will result in immediate disqualification.

There are various cardiovascular risk factors due to which candidates can face rejection in the medical round. Like, History of chest pain, breathlessness, palpitation, fainting attacks, giddiness, rheumatic fever, ankle swelling, chorea, frequent sore throats and tonsillitis should be given due consideration in the assessment of the cardiovascular system.

An individual with Blood Pressure having consistently greater than or equal to 140/90 mm of Hg shall be rejected. If an individual has undergone any cardiac surgery in the past, he/she will be considered as unfit.

Individuals must be aware of some conditions based on the respiratory system due to which they can face rejection. History of pulmonary tuberculosis, pleurisy with effusion, frequent episodes of expectorant cough, haemoptysis, frequent episodes of bronchitis, asthma, spontaneous pneumothorax, and injuries to the chest should be elicited.

Any evidence of significant residual pleural thickening will be a cause for rejection. An individual could face rejection in case of bronchial asthma/ wheezing/ allergic rhinitis in their past.

Other factors leading to the rejection of the candidate are mentioned here.

Candidates detected to have diabetes mellitus will be rejected. A candidate with a family history of Diabetes Mellitus will be subjected to blood sugar (Fasting and after Glucose load) and HbA1c evaluation, which will be recorded.

Careful interrogation followed by NDA Medical Examination of the candidate’s skin is necessary to obtain a clear picture of the nature and severity of any dermatological condition claimed or found. Borderline skin conditions should be referred to a dermatologist. Any fungal infection (like Tinea Cruris and Tinea Corporis) of any part of the body will be unfit. Scabies may be considered fit only on recovery.

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Past medical history of disease or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints, which has prevented the candidate from successfully following a physically active life, is a cause for rejection for commissioning.

History of recurrent lumbar/ spinal fracture/ prolapsed intervertebral disc and surgical treatment for these conditions will entail rejection. If candidates want to know about the mode of examination and other required spinal conditions, they can have a look from here.

Deformities of the upper limbs or their parts will be cause for rejection. Candidates with an amputation of a limb will not be accepted for entry. Amputation of the terminal phalanx of the little finger on both sides is, however, acceptable.

In the following conditions, healed fractures of the upper limb are not acceptable:-

(i) Fractures involving articular surfaces. Fractures associated with neuro-vascular deficit

(ii) Malunited fractures. Fracture causing impairment of function

(iii) Fractures with implant in-situ. Fracture of the upper limb, presenting 06 months after the injury with none of the sequelae as mentioned above are acceptable after assessment by an orthopaedic surgeon.

Syndactyly and polydactyly will be assessed as unfit except when polydactyly is excised. Deformities and limitations to movements will be considered unfit. Painless limitation of movement of the wrist will be assessed according to the degree of stiffness. Loss of dorsiflexion is more serious than the loss of palmar flexion.

Further Conditions Affecting Upper & Lower limbs assessments are discussed here.

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• A candidate giving a history of mental illness/ psychological afflictions requires detailed investigation and psychiatric referral. Such cases should normally be rejected. Most often the history is not volunteered. The examiner should try to elicit a history by direct questioning, which may or may not be fruitful.
• Every examiner should form a general impression of the candidate’s personality as a whole and may enquire into an individual’s stability and habitual reactions to difficult and stressful situations. Family history and prior history of using medication are also relevant.
• History of insomnia, phobias, nightmares, or frequent sleepwalking or Bedwetting, when recurrent or persistent, will be a cause for rejection.
• Common types of recurrent headaches are those due to former head injury or migraine. Other forms of occasional headaches must be considered in relation to their probable cause.
• A candidate with a migraine, which was severe enough to make him consult his doctor, should normally be a cause for rejection. Even a single attack of migraine with visual disturbance or Migrainous epilepsy is to be made unfit.

Other conditions which will cause rejection of the candidate are mentioned here.

There are a few other physical conditions besides the above-mentioned criteria that candidates should fulfil.

• No symptoms of a weak constitution or bodily defects.
• A well-developed chest; a fully expanded chest should not be less than 81cm.
• The minimum range of expansion after full inspiration should be 5 cm.
• No mal-development or impairment of the function of the bones or joints.
• No past history of mental breakdown or fits. Normal hearing capabilities- The candidate should be able to hear a forced whisper with each ear at a distance of 610 cm. in a quiet room.
• No impediment of speech. Normal Blood Pressure with no signs of functional or organic disease of the heart and blood vessels.
• No enlargement of liver or spleen.
• No abnormality in urine examination
• No presence of any kind of skin disease, likely to cause disability or disfigurement
• No abnormalities in USG abdomen examination
• A sufficient number of natural and sound teeth.
• A minimum of 14 dental points will be accepted.
• Routine ECG for Air Force candidates must fall within normal limits.

• If the aspirants are married, they are not eligible to apply for the exam.
• If the candidates have withdrawn or resigned from the disciplinary grounds of training academies of armed forces, they cannot apply for the NDA exam.
• The aspirants, who have not cleared their PABT/CPSS exam, can"t apply for the Air Force exam.
• If the aspirants are debarred by the Defence Ministry, then the NDA exam is not for them
• It must be noted that candidates studying in Class 11 are not eligible for appearing in the NDA Exam.
• Those candidates who have failed INSB / PABT earlier will not be considered eligible for recruitment in the Air Force, Indian Army and Indian Navy.
• Those candidates, who are currently studying in Class 12 at the time of application, must submit proof of passing the exam by the deadline. Requests for extending the due date would not be entertained on any grounds.

It must also be noted that the candidates who have been debarred by the Ministry of Defence from holding any type of Commission in the Defence Services will be considered ineligible for admission to the exam. Lastly, the 11th standard pursuing students cannot apply for the NDA exam.

Ques. I am doing a diploma, am I eligible for NDA Exam?

Ans. No, Candidates must have passed 10+2 to be eligible for NDA exam. Candidates can refer to the above article to know the detailed educational qualifications requireds for various posts under NDA.

Ques. Are females eligible for NDA Exam?

Ans. With the judgment of the Honourable Supreme Court dated September 22, 2021, Female candidates can also apply for the NDA Exam. To know about eligibility criteria for female candidates, please refer to the article.

Ques. I am a female who migrated from Burma with an intention to permanently reside in India. Am I eligible for this exam?

Ans. Yes, there is a category known as Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and candidates falling under the category are eligible to apply for this exam. To know the full list and other eligibility standards, refer to this article.

Ques. What is the minimum age requirement for NDA Exam 2?

Ans. For both Males & Females, the minimum age limit is 15.7 years (not later than 1st January 2006)/ 16 years during the commencement of the course & the Maximum age limit is 18.7 years (not earlier than 2nd January 2003)/ 19 years during the commencement of the course.

Ques. Are married individuals eligible for NDA Exam?

Ans. No, as per the official notification, married individuals are not eligible for the exam. And, marrying during the training period is also prohibited.

Ques. My height is 150 cm and I’m 19 years old. What should be my ideal weight for NDA Exam?

Ans. For the medical round, you must have 49.5 kgs of weight.

Ques. I have tattooed my arms, am I eligible for NDA Exam?

Ans. As per the official orders, a person having permanent tattoos on his/her body is not eligible for the NDA Exam.