NDA & NA (Army)
- Age
- 16½–19½ years
- Who
- Men and women
- Marital
- Unmarried only
- Qualification
- Class 12 (10+2)
- How
- UPSC NDA written → SSB → Medical
Army · Officer Entry
NDA & NA — National Defence Academy
The NDA is the most sought-after officer entry straight after Class 12. Clear the UPSC written exam and the 5-day SSB, train three years at Khadakwasla, and commission as a permanent officer in the Army, Navy or Air Force.
Who Can Apply
NDA Eligibility
Age limit, qualification and marital status for NDA, from the latest official notifications.
NDA (Naval)
- Age
- 16½–19½ years
- Who
- Men and women
- Marital
- Unmarried only
- Qualification
- Class 12 (10+2), with Physics & Maths in Class 12
- How
- UPSC NDA written → SSB → Medical
NDA (Air)
- Age
- 16½–19½ years
- Who
- Men and women
- Marital
- Unmarried only
- Qualification
- Class 12 (10+2), with Physics & Maths in Class 12
- How
- UPSC NDA written → AFSB → PABT → Medical
Figures follow the latest official notifications. Limits can change between cycles — always confirm against the current advertisement.
Route
UPSC NDA & NA written exam, held twice a year
Training
National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla — then IMA, INA or AFA
Commission
Permanent Commission
Every Route Ends at the SSB
Prepare for the NDA SSB
Whatever the route to it, the NDA selection is decided at the 5-day SSB. SSBWINGS, mentored by ex-SSB assessors in Noida, trains you for every day of it — screening, psychology, GTO, interview and conference.
Questions Answered
NDA FAQs
NDA & NA (Army): Men and women, unmarried only, aged 16½–19½ years, with Class 12 (10+2). NDA (Naval): Men and women, unmarried only, aged 16½–19½ years, with Class 12 (10+2), with Physics & Maths in Class 12. NDA (Air): Men and women, unmarried only, aged 16½–19½ years, with Class 12 (10+2), with Physics & Maths in Class 12.
For NDA & NA (Army), candidates must be 16½–19½ years old. For NDA (Naval), candidates must be 16½–19½ years old. For NDA (Air), candidates must be 16½–19½ years old.
UPSC NDA & NA written exam, held twice a year, followed by the 5-day SSB interview and a medical examination.
NDA & NA (Army): No — candidates must be unmarried, and must stay unmarried through training. NDA (Naval): No — candidates must be unmarried, and must stay unmarried through training. NDA (Air): No — candidates must be unmarried, and must stay unmarried through training.
Yes. Women have been eligible for the NDA since 2021 and train alongside men at Khadakwasla, in the Army, Navy and Air Force wings.
Only for the Navy and Air Force wings, which need Physics and Maths in Class 12. The Army wing is open to Class 12 in any stream.
SSBWINGS is mentored by ex-SSB assessors. The 15-day offline course at our Noida campus and the 20-day online course cover all five days of the SSB — screening (OIR and PPDT), psychology (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), GTO tasks on a full ground, the personal interview and the conference — with one-on-one feedback.
⏳ New batches open every month · Seats are limited
Your Chest Number
Is Waiting to Be Called
Every day you delay is a day your competition trains. Book a free counselling call — a mentor will map your entry, your timeline and your battle plan.