Supreme Court interim order
The Supreme Court permits women to write the NDA examination, overturning the earlier male-only restriction.
NDA for Girls 2026: Eligibility, Physical Standards & Exam Details
Women have been eligible for the NDA since the Supreme Court's September 2021 order — the first batch of female cadets joined the 148th NDA course in 2022. Here is everything a female aspirant needs to know.
2021 SC order
First female batch 2022
~20 seats per cycle (indicative)
Same paper as men
May 30, 2025 — The First Batch Passes Out
On 30 May 2025 at the Khetarpal Parade Ground, Khadakwasla, the first batch of 17 female cadets passed out of the National Defence Academy after completing the 148th Course (Spring Term 2025). They were among 336 cadets passing out of a 1,341-strong contingent reviewed by General (Dr) V.K. Singh (Retd), Governor of Mizoram.
Photos: PIB India / Government of India. Used under Government Open Data Licence (GODL-India). Read the full release on pib.gov.in.
How NDA Opened to Women
Centre accepts the order
The Government of India accepts the verdict and UPSC opens the NDA II 2021 notification to female candidates.
148th NDA course
The first batch of female cadets joins training at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune.
Is the NDA Exam Different for Girls?
No. The NDA written examination is identical for male and female candidates — same Paper I (Mathematics, 120 Q, 300 marks), same Paper II (GAT, 150 Q, 600 marks), same syllabus, same marking scheme, same duration. The SSB Interview is also assessed against the same officer-like-qualities framework. Selection is on the same merit list.
See the full paper breakdown at NDA paper pattern.
Eligibility for Female Candidates
- Age
- 16.5 – 19.5 years on the first day of the course month.
- Education
- Class 12 passed or appearing. Maths + Physics required for Air Force / Navy entry.
- Nationality
- Indian citizen.
- Marital Status
- Unmarried (applies to all candidates regardless of gender).
- Gender-specific Seats
- ~19–20 seats reserved for female cadets per cycle across services (indicative — confirm with each notification).
- Attempts
- No cap; bounded by the age window.
Physical Standards for Women
These are the minimum physical standards published by the Services Selection Board for female candidates seeking entry through NDA. Service-specific standards (Army/Navy/Air Force) may add further criteria.
| Standard | Requirement for women |
|---|---|
| Minimum height | 152 cm (relaxation for North-East, Gorkha, and hill regions) |
| Weight | Proportionate to height and age (refer to SSB published tables) |
| Chest expansion | 5 cm minimum (measured after full expansion) |
| Vision (distant, uncorrected) | 6/6 in better eye, 6/9 in worse eye (Air Force flying branch has stricter limits) |
| Vision (corrected) | 6/6 each eye with permissible correction |
| Colour vision | CP-III for general entry; CP-I for flying branch |
| Hearing | No hearing defect — must hear forced whisper at 610 cm with each ear |
| Dental | Healthy gums, sufficient sound teeth, minimum 14 dental points |
| General | No history of mental illness, epilepsy, or chronic conditions |
These figures are indicative. Full Service-specific standards are listed at NDA medical standards.
Services & Branches Women Can Join via NDA
Indian Army
Female NDA cadets commission into select arms/services after the Officers Training Academy phase. Combat arms allocation evolves per Army policy.
Indian Navy
Female NDA cadets join the Navy as Executive Branch officers. Sea-going billets are opening progressively as policy evolves.
Indian Air Force
Female cadets are eligible for the Flying Branch, Ground Duty (Technical), and Ground Duty (Non-Technical).
SSB Interview for Female Candidates
The SSB Interview is conducted at the same centres and uses the same 5-day assessment framework — Stage I screening, Stage II psychology + GTO + interview + conference. Female candidates are assessed against the same officer-like-qualities framework as male candidates. Female-only batches are typically formed at SSB centres for billeting and physical-task logistics, but the evaluation rubric is identical.
How to Prepare — Same Plan, Same Subjects
Diagnose
Free diagnostic surfaces weak topics across all 10 subjects.
Drill
Subject-wise notes and PYQ-tagged practice on Maths and GAT.
Mock
Weekly full-length mocks under exam timing and negative marking.
Master
Daily current affairs + start SSB prep early + medical/physical readiness.
Browse subject notes — Maths · English · Polity · History · Geography · Physics · Chemistry · Biology · Economics · Current Affairs.
Medical & Physical Readiness
Vision and dental issues remain the most common reasons for medical rejection at the SSB-board stage. Female candidates should also confirm gynaecological-history requirements per the latest medical guideline before the medical examination. Building stamina and ironing out correctable medical issues early in the preparation cycle is as important as the written exam itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were girls first allowed to join NDA?
Following the Supreme Court's interim order in August 2021, the government opened the NDA exam to women from NDA II 2021 onwards. The first batch of female cadets joined the 148th NDA course in 2022 at Khadakwasla.
Is the NDA exam different for girls?
No. Female and male candidates appear in the same examination — same Paper I (Mathematics, 120 questions, 300 marks), same Paper II General Ability Test (150 questions, 600 marks), same syllabus, same marking scheme. Selection is on the same merit list.
What is the NDA age limit for girls?
16.5 to 19.5 years on the first day of the month in which the course is due to begin. The cut-off dates are published with each NDA notification. Only unmarried candidates are eligible.
What are the physical standards for female NDA candidates?
Minimum height is 152 cm (with relaxations for North-East, Gorkha, and certain hill regions). Vision must be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the worse eye uncorrected, correctable to 6/6 each. Air Force flying branch has stricter limits. See the physical-standards section above for the full table.
How many seats are reserved for female cadets in NDA?
Approximately 19-20 vacancies per cycle are reserved for female candidates across the Army, Navy and Air Force wings, though the exact split varies by notification. Female candidates also compete for general vacancies on merit.
Can girls join the Indian Air Force flying branch through NDA?
Yes. Female NDA cadets are eligible for the Air Force Flying Branch provided they meet stricter medical and vision standards (CP-I colour vision and stricter uncorrected vision limits). Maths and Physics in Class 12 are required.
Is there a separate SSB process for women?
No. Female candidates attend the same Services Selection Board (SSB) centres and are assessed against the same 5-day framework — screening, psychology, group tasks, interview, conference. Female-only batches are sometimes formed for billeting logistics, but the evaluation rubric is identical.
Can a married woman apply for NDA?
No. NDA eligibility requires candidates to be unmarried at the time of admission. This rule applies to all candidates regardless of gender.