What is NDA?
- How to Join NDA After the 12th?
- How to Join NDA After the 12th – NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024
- Height and Weight Requirements: Indian Army & Air Force – Males/Females
- Height and Weight Requirements: Indian Army & Air Force – Females
- Height and Weight Requirements: Indian Navy – (Males/Females)
- How to Join NDA After the 12th – NDA Application Process
How to Join NDA After 12th FAQs

How to Join NDA After 12th: Eligibility, Physical Requirements, Important tips to crack NDA

By Shailendra Singh

Updated on 20 Mar 2025, 15:21 IST

Have you ever dreamt of serving your country by joining the National Defence Academy (NDA)? If you’re a student in the 12th grade, this dream can become a reality. Joining the NDA opens up a prestigious career path in the Indian Armed Forces. Here’s a simple guide on how to join NDA after the 12th, including eligibility criteria and the application process.

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What is NDA?

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a prestigious institution in India that trains cadets for entry into the Indian Armed Forces. Located in Khadakwasla, Pune, the NDA provides comprehensive training to candidates who aspire to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Established in 1954, the academy aims to develop cadets into competent and disciplined officers capable of leading their respective services with honor and integrity.

NDA offers a three-year training program, after which cadets go on to specialized training in their respective service academies before being commissioned as officers in the armed forces. The academy emphasizes physical fitness, academic excellence, and leadership qualities, preparing cadets for the challenges of military life. Joining the NDA is a prestigious opportunity for young men and women who aspire to serve their country in the armed forces.

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How to Join NDA After the 12th?

Joining the National Defence Academy (NDA) after the 12th is a prestigious opportunity for those who aspire to serve in the Indian Armed Forces. It is a challenging yet rewarding path, and requires dedication, hard work, and a strong commitment to uphold the values of the armed forces. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to join NDA after the 12th:

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Meet the Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: You must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years old.
- Educational Qualification: You must have completed the 12th class from a recognized board or university.
Appear for the NDA Entrance Exam:
- The NDA entrance exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- The exam consists of two papers – Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).
- Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the SSB interview.
Clear the SSB Interview:
- The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview includes a series of tests such as psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews.
- Candidates who clear the SSB interview undergo a medical examination.
Medical Examination:
- Candidates who clear the SSB interview are required to undergo a thorough medical examination to ensure they meet the medical standards required for service in the armed forces.
Merit List and Joining NDA:
- Based on the candidate’s performance in the written exam, SSB interview, and medical examination, a merit list is prepared.
- Candidates selected in the merit list are then eligible to join the NDA for training.
Training at NDA:
- NDA offers a three-year training program, after which cadets go on to specialized training in their respective service academies.
- Cadets undergo rigorous training in academics, physical fitness, and leadership skills.
Commissioning as Officers:
- After successful completion of training, cadets are commissioned as officers in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force, depending on their choice and merit.

How to Join NDA After the 12th – NDA Eligibility Criteria 2024

The eligibility criteria for NDA (National Defence Academy) 2024 are as follows:

Age Limit: Candidates must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years old.
Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens.
Marital Status: Only unmarried male candidates are eligible.
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed or appeared in the 12th class examination from a recognized board or university.

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Height and Weight Requirements: Indian Army & Air Force – Males/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

How to Join NDA After the 12th – NDA Application Process

The application process for NDA (National Defence Academy) involves the following steps:

Online Registration: Candidates need to visit the official website of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and register for the NDA exam.
Fill Application Form: After registration, candidates need to fill out the application form with all the required details such as personal information, educational qualifications, etc.
Upload Documents: Candidates are required to upload scanned copies of their photograph and signature as per the specifications mentioned in the application form.
Payment of Application Fee: Candidates need to pay the application fee online through the provided payment gateway. The application fee can be paid using credit/debit card, net banking, or other online payment methods.
Submit Application Form: After completing all the above steps, candidates need to submit the application form online.
Print Application Form: Candidates should take a printout of the submitted application form for future reference.

It is important for candidates to carefully read and follow all the instructions given in the official notification for the NDA exam to ensure successful completion of the application process.

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Joining the NDA is a prestigious opportunity that offers a challenging and fulfilling career in the armed forces. With dedication, hard work, and the right preparation, you can fulfill your dream of serving the nation through the NDA.

How to Join NDA After 12th FAQs

Can we join NDA directly after 12th?

Yes, you can join NDA directly after completing the 12th class.

What are the qualifications to join NDA?

To join NDA, you must be an Indian citizen aged between 16.5 to 19.5 years, unmarried, and have completed or appeared in the 12th class exam.

How can I start preparing for NDA after 12th?

You can start preparing for NDA by studying the NDA exam syllabus, practicing previous years' question papers, and joining a coaching institute if needed.

Is 12th marks important for NDA?

Yes, while 12th marks are not directly considered for NDA selection, a good academic record can be beneficial during the selection process.

How to join NDA after 12th science?

To join NDA after 12th science, you need to meet the eligibility criteria, appear for the NDA entrance exam conducted by UPSC, clear the SSB interview, and pass the medical examination.

How to join NDA after 12th for girls?

Currently, NDA is open only to male candidates. However, women can join the armed forces through other entry schemes like the Short Service Commission (SSC) or the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES).

How to join NDA after 10th?

You cannot join NDA directly after the 10th class. You need to complete the 12th class and meet the eligibility criteria to join NDA.

What is NDA?