NDA II Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Age, Qualification, Nationality, Physical Standards
The NDA II Eligibility Criteria 2026 covers all the requirements that a candidate must fulfil before applying for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination II, conducted by UPSC on 13th September 2026. The eligibility framework encompasses age, educational qualification, nationality, gender, marital status, and physical/medical standards. Failing to meet even one criterion can result in rejection of the application or disqualification during any stage of the selection process.
NDA II 2026 Eligibility – Overview Table
|
Criteria |
Details |
|
Exam |
NDA & NA Examination II 2026 |
|
Exam Date |
13th September 2026 |
|
Notification Date |
20th May 2026 |
|
Application Window |
20th May – 9th June 2026 |
|
Age Limit |
16.5 to 19.5 years |
|
Date of Birth Range |
2nd January 2008 to 1st January 2011 |
|
Marital Status |
Unmarried |
|
Gender |
Male and Female |
|
Educational Qualification |
Class 12 (10+2) passed or appearing |
|
Nationality |
Indian (with certain exceptions) |
Nationality Criteria
Candidates must be one of the following to be eligible for NDA II 2026:
|
Nationality Category |
Details |
|
Indian Citizen |
Primary eligibility |
|
Subject of Bhutan |
Eligible |
|
Subject of Nepal |
Eligible |
|
Tibetan Refugee |
Settled in India before 1st January 1962 with intention of permanent settlement |
|
Person of Indian Origin (PIO) |
Migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with intent to permanently settle in India |
Note: Candidates belonging to Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee categories may require a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India. However, no such certificate is needed for Indian citizens.
Age Limit
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Minimum Age |
16.5 years |
|
Maximum Age |
19.5 years |
|
Born Not Earlier Than |
2nd January 2008 |
|
Born Not Later Than |
1st January 2011 |
|
Age Relaxation |
None (applicable to all categories) |
|
Age Proof |
Matriculation/Secondary School Certificate |
Educational Qualification
The educational requirement depends on the wing of the Armed Forces the candidate is applying for:
|
Wing |
Educational Qualification Required |
|
Army Wing (NDA) |
Passed Class 12 / HSC or equivalent from a recognised board |
|
Air Force Wing (NDA) |
Passed Class 12 / HSC with Physics and Mathematics as subjects |
|
Navy Wing (NDA) |
Passed Class 12 / HSC with Physics and Mathematics as subjects |
|
Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) |
Passed Class 12 / HSC with Physics and Mathematics as subjects |
Important: Students who are currently appearing in the Class 12 examination are also eligible to apply. However, they must produce proof of passing at the time of the SSB Interview. Candidates who have failed to pass Class 12 or have cleared it without the requisite subjects (Physics & Maths for Navy/Air Force) are not eligible.
Gender and Marital Status
|
Parameter |
Condition |
|
Gender |
Both Male and Female candidates can apply |
|
Marital Status at application |
Unmarried |
|
Marital Status during training |
Must remain unmarried throughout NDA/INAC training |
|
Consequence of marriage during training |
Disqualification and removal from the Academy |
NDA II 2026 Height Requirements
Army and Air Force – Height and Weight Standards
|
Height (cm) |
Minimum Weight (kg) |
|
152 |
42.5 |
|
155 |
43.5 |
|
157 |
45.0 |
|
160 |
46.5 |
|
162 |
48.0 |
|
165 |
50.0 |
|
168 |
52.0 |
|
170 |
53.0 |
|
173 |
55.0 |
|
175 |
57.0 |
|
178 |
59.0 |
|
180 |
61.0 |
Minimum Height: 157 cm for Army; 162.5 cm for Air Force.
Regional relaxations:
-
Gorkhas and candidates from the North-East, Garhwal, and Kumaon regions: relaxation of up to 5 cm in height.
-
Lakshadweep candidates: relaxation of 2 cm in maximum height.
Navy Wing – Additional Standards
|
Parameter |
Requirement |
|
Sitting Height |
Minimum 81.5 cm, Maximum 96 cm |
|
Leg Length |
Minimum 99 cm, Maximum 120 cm |
|
Weight |
Proportional to height |
Medical and Physical Standards
Candidates must be medically fit and free from the following conditions:
|
Medical Condition |
Disqualifying? |
|
Colour blindness |
Yes (especially for Air Force and Navy) |
|
Flat feet (Pes Planus) |
Yes |
|
Knock knees |
Yes |
|
Chronic diseases (asthma, tuberculosis, etc.) |
Yes |
|
History of psychiatric illness |
Yes |
|
Squinting or poor uncorrected vision |
Yes (wing-specific) |
|
Hearing impairment |
Yes |
|
Permanent body tattoos (except inner forearm) |
Yes |
Vision Standards
|
Wing |
Standards |
|
Army |
Corrected vision acceptable (with certain limits) |
|
Navy |
Uncorrected visual acuity 6/6 in each eye; no colour blindness |
|
Air Force |
Very strict; near-perfect uncorrected vision (6/6); no corrective lenses |
Tattoo Policy: Permanent body tattoos are acceptable only on the inner side of the forearm (from elbow to wrist). Tattoos on the back of the hand, face, neck, or any other part of the body will lead to disqualification.
Who is NOT Eligible?
|
Disqualifying Condition |
Details |
|
Married candidates |
Cannot apply |
|
Candidates above 19.5 years |
Not eligible |
|
Candidates below 16.5 years |
Not eligible |
|
Withdrawn from any defence academy on disciplinary grounds |
Permanently disqualified |
|
Not meeting physical/medical standards |
Disqualified at medical board stage |
|
Colour blind (for Navy/Air Force) |
Not eligible for those wings |
Number of Attempts
There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts for NDA. Candidates can appear in the NDA exam as many times as they wish, provided they remain within the eligible age bracket (16.5 to 19.5 years). Since the age window is only 3 years wide, most candidates get a maximum of 4–5 attempts across NDA I and NDA II sessions.
Summary
Meeting the NDA II Eligibility Criteria 2026 is the foundation of a successful application. Ensure you fall within the age window (2nd Jan 2008 to 1st Jan 2011), are unmarried, have passed or are appearing in Class 12 (with Physics and Maths for Navy/Air Force), are an Indian citizen (or eligible under the nationality provisions), and meet the physical and medical standards. Verify each point carefully before submitting your application form between 20th May and 9th June 2026.
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