Complete Guide to NDA physical standard height weight chart male female 2026

The NDA physical standard height weight chart for male and female candidates mandates minimum height requirements starting from 157 cm for males (with regional relaxations) and 152 cm for females, alongside correlated body weight standards based on age and height as prescribed by the UPSC.

Welcome to your ultimate guide on clearing the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination standards. At ExamBhai, our team of expert defence exam strategists understands that clearing the written exam is only half the battle. To wear that coveted uniform in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force, you must also clear the stringent physical and medical fitness standards set by the Ministry of Defence.

What is the Exam?

The National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination is a prestigious national-level entrance test conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It serves as the gateway for young unmarried male and female aspirants who wish to join the elite tri-services wings of the Indian Armed Forces—namely the Army, Navy, and Air Force—as well as the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC).

Conducted via an offline written test followed by the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview and a comprehensive medical examination, the NDA exam evaluates candidates on academic aptitude, psychological suitability, and physiological endurance. Achieving success in this exam requires a meticulous balance of rigorous academic preparation and strict adherence to physical fitness benchmarks. Whether you are aiming for the flying branch, technical entries, or general executive roles, knowing the exact physical requirements early on is crucial to ensure you meet all parameters before stepping into the medical board.

Key Highlights 2026

Stay updated with the essential parameters of the NDA 2026 examination cycle through the structured overview below:

• Exam Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Frequency: Twice a year (NDA I and NDA II)
• Stages of Selection: Written Examination, SSB Interview, and Medical/Physical Fitness Test
• Eligible Gender: Unmarried Male and Female candidates
• Age Limit: Generally between 16.5 to 19.5 years
• Educational Qualification: 10+2 pattern for Army; 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics for Air Force and Naval wings
• Official Portal: upsc.gov.in

Syllabus 2026

The NDA written examination comprises two core papers designed to test your general mental ability, analytical capacity, and foundational knowledge in sciences and humanities. Below is the detailed breakdown of the syllabus across subjects.

Paper Code	Subject Name	Key Topics Covered	Marks Weightage
Paper I	Mathematics	Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Statistics and Probability	300 Marks
Paper II	General Ability Test (GAT) - Part A	English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Usage, Spotting Errors, Synonyms, Antonyms	200 Marks
Paper II	General Ability Test (GAT) - Part B	General Knowledge: Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Freedom Movement, Geography, Current Events	400 Marks

The comprehensive nature of this syllabus demands structured study plans. To master these concepts efficiently, you can practice free mock tests for Defence on ExamBhai to test your readiness under real exam constraints.

Exam Pattern

The structure of the NDA written examination is designed to assess speed, accuracy, and depth of understanding. Both papers consist of objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and question papers (except for English) are set in both English and Hindi.

Paper	Subject	Duration	Maximum Marks	Negative Marking
Paper I	Mathematics	2.5 Hours	300	One-third ((1/3)) of assigned marks
Paper II	General Ability Test (GAT)	2.5 Hours	600	One-third ((1/3)) of assigned marks
Total	Written Test	-	900 Marks	Applicable

Candidates who clear the written cutoff proceed to the 5-day SSB interview worth another 900 marks, followed by the medical assessment. To streamline your preparation pipeline for these stages, we recommend that you explore structured defence study materials on ExamBhai to stay ahead of the competition.

Eligibility Criteria

According to official guidelines published on upsc.gov.in, candidates must fulfill stringent nationality, age, educational, and physical fitness criteria.

1. Nationality

• A citizen of India, or a subject of Bhutan, Nepal, or a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India.

2. Age, Sex, and Marital Status

• Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than the specified cut-off dates for NDA I and NDA II 2026 are eligible. Married candidates are not permitted.

3. Physical and Medical Standards

• Height and Weight Standards for Males: The minimum height requirement for male candidates is generally (157\text{ cm}) (with specific relaxations of (5) cm for candidates belonging to the Gorkhas, hills of Garhwal and Kumaon, and (2) cm for inhabitants of Lakshadweep). Weight must be correlated to height and age as per official military medical tables.
• Height and Weight Standards for Females: Female candidates must possess a minimum height of (152\text{ cm}). Similar regional relaxations apply, and body weight must be proportionate to height and age as specified in the medical standards notification.
• Visual Standards: Must meet distant vision requirements without glasses ((6/6) or (6/9) depending on the service) and corrected vision limits for specific branches. Color blindness is a permanent disqualification for flying and naval branches.

Application Process

Applying for the NDA exam involves an online registration system handled jointly by the UPSC and the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

• Step 1: Visit the official UPSC portal at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
• Step 2: Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) by filling in basic personal, academic, and contact details.
• Step 3: Log in using your OTR credentials, select the NDA examination notification, and fill out Part I and Part II of the application form.
• Step 4: Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature in the prescribed dimensions and formats.
• Step 5: Pay the required application fee (exempted for female candidates and SC/ST candidates).
• Step 6: Review all entered details carefully and submit the form, keeping a printout of the final confirmation page for future reference.

Preparation Strategy

Cracking the NDA exam requires a blend of rigorous academic study and disciplined physical conditioning right from day one.

• Master the Basics: Strengthen your Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry concepts. Conceptual clarity is paramount.
• Daily Current Events: Read national newspapers daily and keep track of defence-related developments, international summits, and government schemes.
• Time Management: Practice solving previous years' question papers within the strict (2.5)-hour limit to build exam temperament.
• Physical Conditioning: Incorporate regular running, push-ups, pull-ups, and stamina-building exercises into your daily routine to comfortably clear physical endurance tests and maintain body weight within the prescribed medical chart limits.
• Platform Practice: To fine-tune your problem-solving speed and accuracy, you can access comprehensive defense exam prep tools on ExamBhai for targeted practice.

Cut-Off Trends

Historical trends retrieved from official notifications on upsc.gov.in indicate that the written examination cutoff usually hovers around (25%) to (35%) marks individually in each subject, while the total written aggregate cutoff ranges between (320) and (360) marks out of (900) (subject to variation depending on paper difficulty).

• NDA Written Cutoff Range: Typically (325 - 360) marks out of (900).
• Final Cutoff (Written + SSB): Typically (700 - 720) marks out of (1800).

Candidates must aim for a safe score above (400) in the written exam to maximize their chances of securing a recommendation letter during the SSB interview stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the minimum height requirement for male candidates in the NDA exam?

The minimum height for male candidates is generally (157\text{ cm}), with specific relaxations provided for candidates belonging to certain regions like the hills of Garhwal, Kumaon, Gorkhas, and north-eastern states as per official UPSC guidelines.

2. Are female candidates allowed to apply for all wings of the NDA?

Yes, eligible unmarried female candidates can apply for the NDA exam across available streams in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, subject to fulfilling the respective physical, medical, and educational criteria.

3. How is body weight checked against height during the medical test?

Body weight is evaluated using official military medical tables that correlate height and age. Candidates must fall within the permissible tolerance limits of weight for their specific height group.

4. Can candidates with corrective eye surgery (LASIK) apply for the Air Force?

No, surgical procedures like LASIK or PRK for vision correction are generally disqualified for the flying branch of the Indian Air Force, though minor allowances may apply for specific non-flying or ground duty streams depending on exact service rules.

5. What documents are verified during the SSB interview stage?

Candidates must carry their original class 10 and 12 mark sheets, pass certificates, valid photo identity proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or PAN Card), and the printout of the UPSC NDA application form along with passport-size photographs.

6. Is there any provision for re-medical examination if declared unfit?

Yes, if a candidate is declared temporarily or permanently unfit by the Special Medical Board (SMB), they have the option to appeal for a Review Medical Board (RMB) within a stipulated timeframe specified by the medical board authorities.