1. A candidate is required to specify clearly the Services for which he wishes to be considered in the order of his preference. He is also advised to indicate as many preferences as he wishes to opt so that having regard to his rank in the order of merit due consideration can be given to his preferences when making appointments.

2. Candidates should note that they will be considered for appointment to those services only for which they express their preferences and for no other service(s). No request for addition/alteration in the preferences already indicated by a candidate in his application will be entertained by the Commission.

3. Before indicating their preferences for different courses, the candidates should first decide their preference for the two Academies viz. National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (Executive Branch) If a candidate opts for National Defence Academy as his first choice, he must first indicate his preferences for different wings of National Defence Academy viz Army, Navy and Air Force followed by his preferences for Naval Academy (Executive Branch). Alternatively, if a candidate opts for Naval Academy (Executive Branch) as his first choice, he must first indicate his preference for Naval Academy (Executive Branch) as his first choice, followed by his preference for different wings of National Defence Academy. Thus candidates opting for Naval Academy (Executive Branch) Course as well as other courses of National Defence Academy must give Naval Academy (Executive Branch) as their first preference or the last preference. Naval Academy (Executive Branch) cannot be given as 2nd or 3rd preference. Even if Naval Academy (Executive Branch) is given as 2nd or 3rd preference by the candidate, it will be deemed to be the last preference.

4. Admission to the above courses will be made on the results of the written examination to be conducted by the Commission followed by intelligence and personality test by the Services Selection Board of candidates who qualify in the written examination.

Admission to the above courses will be made on the results of the written examination to be conducted by the Commission followed by intelligence and personality test by the Services Selection Board of candidates who qualify in the written examination.

Intructions for Girls:

1. The induction of women for the three-year training course at NDA is a major step in ensuring gender equality. Now women candidates can hold a permanent commission, combat, and command roles in the defence services.
2. Ministry of Defence will formulate age, nature of training, intake strength, training standards, medical and physical standards for women candidates. Besides, physical infrastructure such as residential quarters for women with strict physical separation, including separate bathroom cubicles, will be constructed. Equitation, swimming, games and sports facilities will be developed for the female cadets.

Eligibility (NDA)

A Candidate must either be:

1. A Citizen of India or

2. A Subject of Bhutan or

3. A Subject of Nepal or

4. A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or

5. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India. Certificate of eligibility will not, however, be necessary in the case of candidates who are Gorkha subjects of Nepal.

Age Limit:

A candidate must be an unmarried male/female and have born not earlier than 2nd January 2003 and not later than 1st January 2006. Candidates must not marry until they complete their full training. A candidate who marries subsequent to the date of his application, though successful will not be selected for training. A candidate who marries during training shall be discharged and will be liable to refund all expenditure incurred on him by the Government.

(C) Educational Qualifications:

1. For Army wing of National Defence Academy :- 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.

2. For Air Force and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy:- 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics conducted by a State Education Board or a University.

Candidates who are appearing in the 12th Class under the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination can also apply.

(D) Physical Standards

Candidates must be physically fit according to physical standards for admission to National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination as per guidelines are given

Candidates are advised to rectify minor defects/ailments in order to speed up finalisation of a medical examination conducted at the Military Hospital after being recommended at the SSB. The undermentioned ailments are considered, common minor ailments :

Wax (Ears), Deviated Nasal Septum, Hydrocele/Phimosis, Overweight/Underweight, Under sized Chest, Piles, Gynaecomastia, Tonsillitis, Varicocele

A candidate recommended by the Services Selection Board will undergo a medical examination by a Board of Service Medical Officers. Only those candidates will be admitted to the academy who are declared fit by the Medical Board. The proceedings of the Medical Board are confidential and will not be divulged to anyone. However the candidates declared unfit will be intimated by the President of the Medical Board and the procedure for request for an Appeal Medical Board will also be intimated to the candidate.

Candidates declared unfit during Appeal Medical Board will be intimated about the provision of Review Medical Board.

(a) The candidate must be in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/disability which is likely in interfere with the efficient performance of military duties.

(b) There should be no evidence of weak constitution, bodily defects or under weight. The candidate should not be overweight or obese.

(c) The minimum acceptable height is 157.5 cms. (162.5 cms for Air Force)

NDA (5 Months Course)

NDA (1 Year)