NDA 2023 Eligibility Criteria is set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The candidates must fulfil the educational and other criteria to join in Air Force, Indian Navy, and Army. The candidates who will qualify for the National Defence Academy (NDA) Entrance Exam will get entry in the 144th Course offered by the UPSC NDA, and the 106th course of UPSC NA (Naval Academy). The candidates can check the complete article to know more about NDA 2023 eligibility criteria.
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NDA 2027 Latest Update as on 08 Sep 2026
Contains
Checked on 08 Sep 2026
As of 08 Sep 2026, UPSC has released the NDA & NA Examination (II) 2026 e-Admit Card; NDA 2027 notification and eligibility details are not yet officially announced by UPSC.
| Exam | NDA 2027 |
|---|---|
| Status | UPSC has released the e-Admit Card for National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 — confirmed on the official UPSC website as of 08 Sep 2026. |
| Next expected | NDA I 2027 notification expected in early December 2026 (last year: NDA I 2026 notification released ~Dec 2025 per UPSC calendar pattern). |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
| Last verified | 08 Sep 2026 |
As of 08 Sep 2026, UPSC has officially released the e-Admit Card for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2026, confirming that the current NDA cycle is in its final stages. NDA 2027 — covering both NDA I and NDA II — has not yet been officially notified by UPSC, and no 2027 eligibility criteria changes, application dates, or syllabus revisions have been announced. Based on previous-year patterns, UPSC typically releases the NDA I notification in early December, meaning students can expect the NDA I 2027 notification around December 2026 on upsc.gov.in. Eligibility for NDA generally requires candidates to be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age, unmarried, and to have passed (or be appearing in) Class 12 from a recognised board. Students aspiring for NDA 2027 should now focus on meeting academic qualifications, physical fitness standards, and tracking the official UPSC calendar for the upcoming notification. Official website: upsc.gov.in.
- UPSC has released the e-Admit Card for National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 — confirmed on the official UPSC website as of 08 Sep 2026.
- NDA & NA Examination (II) 2026 is currently active in its admit card stage, indicating the 2026 cycle is ongoing.
- No NDA 2027 notification, eligibility update, or application form has been officially released by UPSC as of 08 Sep 2026.
- NDA I 2027 notification expected in early December 2026 (last year: NDA I 2026 notification released ~Dec 2025 per UPSC calendar pattern).
- NDA I 2027 registration (application form) expected to open around 2nd December 2026 (per discovery signal — unconfirmed).
- NDA I 2027 application window expected to close approximately 3–4 weeks after notification release (tentative: late December 2026 / early January 2027).
- NDA I 2027 written examination tentatively expected on 11 April 2027 (per discovery signal — not officially confirmed by UPSC).
- NDA II 2027 notification expected around May–June 2027, based on previous-year UPSC annual examination calendar pattern.
- NDA II 2027 written examination tentatively expected in September 2027, following the standard UPSC NDA cycle pattern.
Sources: UPSC Official Website — What's New Section
NDA 2023 Eligibility Criteria
The candidates must check NDA eligibility criteria before applying for the online application form. All NDA eligibility criteria are given in the list below:
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Age | 16.5 years to 19.5 years (as on 01.08.2023) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Educational Qualification | Appearing/Passed in 12th standard examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with English |
| Relaxation in subjects for candidates from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and North-East states | |
| Height | Minimum height for male candidates: 162.5 cm |
| Minimum height for female candidates: 152.5 cm | |
| Weight | Minimum weight for male candidates: 46 kg |
| Minimum weight for female candidates: 40 kg | |
| Chest | Minimum chest expansion for male candidates: 5 cm |
| No requirement for female candidates | |
| Medical Fitness | Candidate must be medically fit according to the standards laid down by the Armed Forces Medical Services |
Nationality
- A candidate must be a citizen of:
- India or,
- Bhutan or,
- Nepal
- The candidate who belongs to Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 01 January 1962 to permanently settle in India can also apply for NDA.
- The candidate of India origin who has migrated from given countries for settling in India also eligible:
- Uganda
- Burma
- Sri Lanka
- East African Countries of Kenya
- Pakistan
- The United Republic of Tanzania
- Zambia
- Malawi
- Zaire
- Ethiopia or Vietnam
- The candidates have to submit their eligibility certificates who are not a citizen of India, and that certificate has been issued by the Government of India for the candidate who belongs to above-given countries.
- The eligibility certificate will not be necessary in the case of candidates who are belongs to Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
NDA Age Limits, Gender and Marital Status
Major Changes This Year
No change in NDA 2027 eligibility criteria has been officially announced yet; any updates are expected when UPSC releases the NDA I 2027 notification, likely in December 2026.
No major change has been officially announced yet for NDA 2027 eligibility criteria, examination pattern, syllabus, or application process. UPSC has not released any NDA 2027 notification or corrigendum as of 08 Sep 2026. Based on recent years, the NDA eligibility conditions — including age limits (16.5–19.5 years), educational qualification (Class 12 or equivalent), marital status (unmarried), and physical/medical standards — have remained broadly consistent. Students should continue preparation on the existing framework and watch upsc.gov.in for any officially confirmed changes when the NDA I 2027 notification is released, tentatively expected in December 2026.
The candidates must check the age limits, gender and marital status criteria before applying for National Defence Academy (NDA) 2023:
- Only the male candidates can apply for NDA
- The candidate must be unmarried to be eligible for National Defence Academy (NDA).
- The candidates whose DOB falls between 2nd July 2002 to 1st July 2005 are eligible for the examination. If born before 2nd July 2002 and after 1st July 2005 then not eligible for NDA (1) 2023 exam.
- The date of birth (DoB) entered in the Matriculation (10th standard) or Secondary School (12th Standard) Leaving Certificate or equivalent certificate recognised by an Indian University will be accepted valid by the official authority.
- The certificate must be issued by the reorganised authority of the University.
- All these certificates are required to be submitted after the declaration of results of the written examination.
Note:
- The candidates must also note that, once a date of birth (DoB) has been filled by them and entered in the records of the Commission for the purpose of admission in NDA to an entrance examination then they can’t be able to make any change or edit at any subsequent examination on any ground whatsoever.
- If any change found in the Date of Birth with the application form and 10th and 12th certificates then the authority will take the action against it and cancel the admission of that candidate.
- Other documents relating to age such as affidavits, horoscopes, service records or birth extracts from Municipal Corporation etc will not be accepted.
- Only date of birth (DoB) recorded in the Matriculation (10th) /Secondary (12th) school examination certificate or an equivalent certificate on the date of application submission will be accepted.
- The candidates must also undertake that they don’t marry until they complete their NDA training.
Educational Qualifications
The Candidates must fulfil the UPSC NDA eligibility criteria of the basic Educations qualifications to join any of the wings in the NDA which are given in the table below:
| Wings | Required Qualifications |
| For Army Wing of NDA | The candidate must be passed the 12th standard of the 10+2 pattern or equivalent examination from the recognised Board or University |
| For Naval and Air Force Wings of NDA | The candidate must be passed the 12th standard of the 10+2 pattern or equivalent examination with Mathematics and Physics from the recognised Board or University |
Note:
- The candidates who have yet to qualify in the 12th standard are also eligible to apply for this examination.
- The Candidates appearing in the 11th standard exam are not eligible for the NDA examination.
- The candidates, who have failed the CPSS/PABT exam earlier, are also eligible to apply for the Air Force in Ground Duty branches if they fill their willingness in the Online Application Form which is available at the UPSC’s website.
Physical Standards
The candidates must be physically and mentally fit according to the prescribed physical standards by UPSC. The medical fitness criteria are given in the list below:
- Defects/ Ailments
- The candidates are advised to clean minor defects and ailments in order to speed up finalisation of medical test which will be conducted at the Military Hospital after being qualified at the SSB.
- There are few of such commonly found defects and ailments are given in the list below
- Wax (Ears)
- Deviated Nasal Septum
- Hydrocele/Phimosis
- Overweight/Underweight
- Under Sized Chest
- Piles
- Gynaecomastia
- Tonsillitis
- Varicocele
Permanent Tattoos
- The candidate who have permanent body tattoos on the inner face of forearm i.e. from inside of elbow to the wrist are permitted to apply for the examination.
- The candidate who have permanent tattoos on the reverse side of palm/back (dorsal) side of hand/Permanent body tattoos on any other part of the body will not be accepted and candidates will be able to apply for the examination.
Note: A number of qualified candidates are rejected subsequently on Physical and Medical Ground. The candidates are advised in their own interest to get themselves physically fit and medically examined before submitting their applications for the NDA to avoid disappointment at the final stage.
Height & Weight Standards
- The minimum height measurement is 157 cms (162.5 cms. for Air Force).
- For Gorkhas and individuals belonging to hills of North-Eastern areas of India, Garhwal, and Kumaon, it should be 5 cms. less.
- In case of candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum height can be reduced by 2 cms.
- The detailed height/weight standards are mentioned below:
Height/Weight Standards for Army/Air Force:
| Height (cms) | Weight in Kgs | ||
| (without shoe) | 16-17 years | 17-18 years | 18-19 years |
| 152 | 42.5 | 44.0 | 45.0 |
| 155 | 43.5 | 45.3 | 47.0 |
| 157 | 45.0 | 47.0 | 48.0 |
| 160 | 46.5 | 48.0 | 49.0 |
| 162 | 48.0 | 50.0 | 51.0 |
| 165 | 50.0 | 52.0 | 53.0 |
| 167 | 51.0 | 53.0 | 54.0 |
| 170 | 52.5 | 55.0 | 56.0 |
| 173 | 54.5 | 57.0 | 58.0 |
| 175 | 56.0 | 59.0 | 60.0 |
| 178 | 58.0 | 61.0 | 62.0 |
| 180 | 60.0 | 63.0 | 64.5 |
| 183 | 62.5 | 65.0 | 66.5 |
Height/Weight Standards for Navy:
| Height (cms) | Weight in Kgs | ||
| (without shoe) | 16 years | 18 years | 20 years |
| 152 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| 155 | 45 | 46 | 47 |
| 157 | 46 | 47 | 49 |
| 160 | 47 | 48 | 50 |
| 162 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
| 165 | 50 | 52 | 53 |
| 168 | 52 | 53 | 55 |
| 170 | 53 | 55 | 57 |
| 173 | 55 | 57 | 59 |
| 175 | 57 | 59 | 61 |
| 178 | 59 | 61 | 62 |
| 180 | 61 | 63 | 64 |
| 183 | 63 | 65 | 67 |
NDA 2023 Entrance Test
UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) offers to join any wing (Army, Air Force and Navy) in NDA (National Defence Academy). National Defence Academy (NDA) offers the 145 Course to all the candidate in Army, Air Force and Navy Wings. To get this opportunity to join the NDA, it is compulsory for all candidates to fulfil all the eligibility criteria and qualifying the examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest update on NDA 2027 eligibility criteria?
As of 08 Sep 2026, UPSC has not released the NDA 2027 notification. Eligibility criteria are expected to be announced around December 2026 when the NDA I 2027 notice is published on upsc.gov.in.
What is the age limit for NDA 2027?
Based on previous years, candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age as on the date specified in the notification. The official 2027 age cut-off dates will be confirmed only upon UPSC's notification release.
What is the educational qualification required for NDA 2027?
Candidates are typically required to have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board. For Army entry, any stream is accepted; for Navy and Air Force, Physics and Mathematics are required. Official 2027 qualification criteria await notification.
When will the NDA 2027 notification be released?
The NDA I 2027 notification has not been officially released yet. Based on previous-year UPSC patterns, it is tentatively expected around December 2026; this is unconfirmed and subject to change.
When is the NDA I 2027 exam date?
No official exam date has been announced by UPSC. An unconfirmed discovery signal suggests 11 April 2027, but this must not be treated as confirmed until UPSC officially notifies it.
Has UPSC made any changes to NDA physical standards for 2027?
No changes to physical or medical standards for NDA 2027 have been officially announced by UPSC as of 08 Sep 2026. Students should follow standards published in the most recent NDA notification.
Where can I check the official NDA 2027 notification and eligibility details?
All official NDA 2027 updates, including eligibility criteria and notification, will be published on upsc.gov.in. Regularly checking the 'What's New' section of that site is recommended.
Can female candidates apply for NDA 2027?
Following the Supreme Court order implemented from NDA II 2022 onwards, female candidates have been eligible to apply. This is expected to continue for NDA 2027, but official confirmation will come with the 2027 notification.