UPSC NDA Age Limit 2026: Relaxation, Qualification and Eligibility

Only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than 1 January 2008 and not later than 1 January 2011 are eligible. The Commission accepts only the date of birth recorded in your Matriculation / Secondary School certificate (or equivalent) available on the date you apply.

You must undertake not to marry until you complete your full training. A candidate who marries after applying will not be selected for training, and a candidate who marries during training will be discharged and must refund all expenditure the Government has incurred on them.

For the Army wing of NDA you need a Class 12 pass of the 10+2 pattern, or an equivalent examination, from a State Education Board or University. For the Air Force and Navy wings of NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Naval Academy, the Class 12 pass must be with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Candidates appearing in Class 12 can also apply, but must submit proof of passing by 10 June 2027 or their candidature will be cancelled. Candidates appearing in Class 11 are not eligible.

On nationality, you must be a citizen of India; a subject of Nepal; or a person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia, or Vietnam to settle permanently in India. Candidates in the last two groups need a certificate of eligibility from the Government of India; Gorkha subjects of Nepal do not.