What is the minimum height required for NDA exam?

For the Indian Army, the minimum acceptable height is 157 cm for male candidates and 152 cm for female candidates (with relaxations of 5 cm for Gorkhas and candidates from North-Eastern states). For the Indian Air Force Flying Branch, the minimum required height is 162.5 cm.

Is wearing spectacles or glasses allowed in NDA?

Yes, spectacles are allowed for the Indian Army and Navy (Ground Duty). Uncorrected vision can be 6/36, correctable to 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other eye with myopia limits up to -2.50D. However, for Air Force Flying Branch, uncorrected vision must be strictly 6/6 and spectacles are generally not permitted.

Is LASIK surgery allowed for NDA entry?

Candidates who have undergone LASIK or PRK refractive surgery are permanently rejected for the National Defence Academy entry because cadets are under 20 years of age and the eye is still developing.

Can knock knees and flat foot be corrected before the medical test?

Mild knock knees and flexible flat foot can be rectified through targeted physiotherapy exercises, arch support footwear, pillow drills while sleeping, and dedicated calf stretching if caught 6-12 months in advance.

What happens if a candidate is declared temporarily unfit (TR) in the NDA medical board?

Candidates receiving a Temporary Rejection (TR) are granted 42 days to resolve remediable conditions (such as overweight, ear wax, DNS, or minor skin conditions) and reappear before an Appeal Medical Board (AMB) at a designated Military Hospital.

NDA Medical Test & Physical Fitness Standards: Complete Eyesight & Height Chart

Clearing the UPSC NDA written examination and earning a recommendation from the Service Selection Board (SSB) are tremendous milestones. However, the final hurdle before your name appears in the official Ministry of Defence merit list is the NDA medical examination conducted by the Special Medical Board (SMB). Every year, nearly 20% to 25% of recommended candidates face temporary or permanent rejection simply due to preventable physical or medical shortcomings. In this authoritative guide, Path Finder Defence Academy details the exact height, weight, eyesight, and physical conditioning standards required to secure a clean medical clearance.

How the NDA Special Medical Board (SMB) Operates

Immediately after your SSB interview recommendation on Day 5, candidates are moved to the nearest designated Military Hospital or Command Hospital for a rigorous 4-to-5-day comprehensive medical screening. You will be evaluated by military specialists across major disciplines:

Surgery: Assessment of limbs, spinal curvature, hernia, hydrocele, carrying angle, and varicose veins.
General Medicine: Blood pressure, heart rate, ECG, chest X-rays, blood profiles, and ultrasound screening.
Ophthalmology (Eye): Distant vision, near vision, color perception, squint, pupil dilation, and fundus examination.
ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat): Audiometry hearing test, eardrum perforation checks, Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS), and tonsils.
Dental Examination: Calculation of dental points (minimum 14 points required out of 22 for healthy natural teeth).

Physical Fitness Benchmarks: What You Must Achieve

Cadets at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla endure rigorous physical regimes involving endurance runs, cross-country marches, obstacle courses, and swimming. To ensure you can cope with academy life without injury, start training 6 to 12 months before your exam date to meet these benchmarks:

Running: 2.4 km running in 15 minutes (ideally under 12 minutes for competitive fitness).
Push-ups: Minimum 20 to 30 clean repetitions with proper form and tempo.
Sit-ups (Crunches): Minimum 25 to 30 repetitions within 60 seconds.
Chin-ups / Pull-ups: Minimum 6 to 8 overhand chin-ups without swinging legs.
Rope Climbing: Vertical rope climb up to 3 to 4 meters using arms and legs.

Minimum Height & Weight Standards

The Ministry of Defence specifies precise height-to-weight correlation charts based on age. Below are the primary baseline standards for NDA aspirants:

Indian Army & Navy (Male): Minimum acceptable height is 157 cm. For candidates from the Gorkha community, Garhwal, Kumaon, and North-Eastern regions, a relaxation of 5 cm is granted (minimum 152 cm).
Indian Army & Navy (Female): Minimum acceptable height is 152 cm (147 cm for Gorkhas and North-Eastern regions).
Air Force Flying Branch: Strict minimum height requirement of 162.5 cm with specific leg length (99 cm to 120 cm), thigh length (maximum 64 cm), and sitting height (81.5 cm to 96 cm) to fit cockpit ejection seats.

Weight Clause: Weight must strictly fall within +/- 10% of the standard average for your corresponding height and age. Underweight or obesity is the #1 cause of temporary medical rejections.

Visual Acuity & Eyesight Standards

Visual standards depend heavily on whether you are applying for the Army, Navy, or Air Force Flying Branch:

Indian Army: Uncorrected vision must be at least 6/36, correctable with spectacles to 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye. Myopia limit is -2.50D and hypermetropia limit is +2.50D including astigmatism.
Indian Navy: Uncorrected vision must be 6/12, correctable to 6/6 and 6/6. Myopia limit is -0.75D, hypermetropia +1.5D.
Indian Air Force (Flying Branch): Requires strictly 6/6 uncorrected vision in both eyes. Spectacles are not allowed. Hypermetropia must not exceed +1.5D. Color vision must be CP-I (normal).
LASIK Warning: Any laser corrective surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) is permanently disqualifying for entry into the National Defence Academy.

Top 5 Preventable Medical Rejection Points

Many medical points given during SMB are easily preventable with proactive care:

Knock Knees (Genu Valgum): When standing at attention with feet together, knees must not touch each other while ankles remain separated. Regular butterfly stretches and cycling help correct minor alignment.
Flat Foot (Pes Planus): Lack of a natural plantar arch on the bottom of the foot can cause pain during marches. Walk barefoot on sand or use arch-support insoles.
Carrying Angle (Cubitus Valgus): The natural angle of the elbow when palms face forward must be between 10 to 15 degrees for males and up to 18 degrees for females. An angle exceeding 20 degrees is cause for rejection.
Wax in Ears: A surprisingly common reason for temporary rejection! Have an ENT specialist professionally clean your ears 10 days before your SSB reporting date.
Permanent Tattoos: Tattoos are strictly banned on any body part except the inner face of the forearms or tribal communities with official cultural exemptions. Offensive, religious, or neck tattoos lead to instant disqualification.

Pre-Medical Preparation at Path Finder Defence Academy

At PFDA Lucknow, we ensure our students don't face surprises after recommendation. Our comprehensive training incorporates:

Initial Physical & Medical Assessment: Routine checks for height, weight, BMI, color blindness, and flat foot during orientation.
Daily Outdoor Ground Training: Supervised training on our dedicated obstacle grounds to build stamina, upper body core strength, and running pace.
Consultation with Ex-Army Medical Officers: Guidance on correcting posture, managing body weight, and filing timely appeals if assigned a temporary rejection.

Conclusion: Start Your Physical Journey Today

A sharp, disciplined mind must be housed in a robust, combat-ready body. Do not leave your medical fitness until the last minute. Pair your written exam preparation with daily disciplined physical drills at Path Finder Defence Academy, Lucknow, and walk into the SSB medical board with complete confidence.

NDA Physical Fitness & Medical Test Standards: Complete Eyesight & Height Guide