NDA Eligibility

UPSC NDA & NA eligibility requires the following. 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern for the Army wing. For the Air Force and Naval wings of the NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy, 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates appearing in 12th may also apply. The age limit is Only unmarried candidates born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011 are eligible for NDA & NA (II) 2026 — roughly 16½ to 19½ years at the course commencement date.

Educational qualification

12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern for the Army wing. For the Air Force and Naval wings of the NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy, 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Candidates appearing in 12th may also apply.

Age limit

Only unmarried candidates born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011 are eligible for NDA & NA (II) 2026 — roughly 16½ to 19½ years at the course commencement date.

Age relaxation

The NDA & NA notice provides no category-wise relaxation — the date-of-birth window above applies to every candidate, whatever the category.

Number of attempts

No limit on attempts — the constraint is the narrow age window, which in practice allows about four sittings.

Nationality

A candidate must be a citizen of India, or fall within the other categories of nationality set out in the Examination Notice — which for most services include subjects of Nepal and Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962, and persons of Indian origin who have migrated from certain countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.