BMI Calculator
NDA uses a weight-for-height chart — check the table below for your specific height and acceptable weight range.
Army Wing — Height-Weight Table (Annexure A)
The following table is drawn from NDA Notification Annexure A (pages 37–38) and DGMS (Army) SN 76060/DGMS-5A August 2019 (pages 5–6). It specifies the minimum acceptable weight (all ages) and the maximum acceptable weight by age band.
| Height (cm) | Height (approx ft) | Min Weight (all ages) | Max Weight 17–20 yrs | Max Weight 20–30 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | 4′ 11″ | 41.6 kg | 50.8 kg | 53.1 kg |
| 155 | 5′ 1″ | 43.2 kg | 52.9 kg | 55.3 kg |
| 160 | 5′ 3″ | 46.1 kg | 56.3 kg | 58.9 kg |
| 165 | 5′ 5″ | 49.0 kg | 59.9 kg | 62.6 kg |
| 170 | 5′ 7″ | 52.0 kg | 63.6 kg | 66.5 kg |
| 175 | 5′ 9″ | 55.1 kg | 67.4 kg | 70.4 kg |
| 180 | 5′ 11″ | 58.3 kg | 71.3 kg | 74.5 kg |
| 185 | 6′ 1″ | 61.6 kg | 75.3 kg | 78.7 kg |
| 190 | 6′ 3″ | 65.0 kg | 79.4 kg | 83.0 kg |
How to Read the Chart
Minimum weight: 52.0 kg — below this you are underweight and temporarily unfit.
Maximum weight: 63.6 kg (17–20 yr band) — above this you are overweight and may not meet the standard unless exception criteria apply.
Acceptable range: 52.0 kg to 63.6 kg — if you fall within this range, you meet the weight criterion (other criteria still apply).
| Weight Position | Status | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Below minimum weight | Underweight | Temporarily unfit; increase weight through nutrition and resistance training before medical date |
| Within chart range | Within Range | Meets weight criterion; other criteria still apply |
| Above maximum weight (no exception) | Overweight | Temporarily unfit; reduce weight before medical date |
| Above maximum weight (exception claimed) | Exception Review | ALL exception criteria must be satisfied simultaneously (see below) |
Overweight Exceptions — When Above-Chart Weight May Be Accepted
If a candidate's weight exceeds the chart maximum, they may still be considered fit if ALL of the following conditions are met simultaneously. A single failed condition disqualifies the exception:
- Documented evidence of body-building, wrestling, or boxing at the National level (state-level or district-level is not sufficient)
- BMI < 25 (Army/Navy) or BMI < 27 (Air Force)
- Waist-Hip Ratio < 0.9 for males / < 0.8 for females
- Waist circumference < 90 cm (male) / < 80 cm (female) for Army; < 94 cm (male) / < 89 cm (female) for Air Force
- All biochemical and metabolic parameters within normal limits (lipid profile, fasting glucose, LFT, RFT)
Underweight — What to Do
Candidates below the minimum weight are declared temporarily unfit and should take the following steps:
- Increase caloric intake with a balanced diet — lean protein (chicken, eggs, legumes), complex carbohydrates (oats, rice, roti), and healthy fats (nuts, olive oil). Aim for a moderate caloric surplus.
- Resistance training (compound lifts — squat, deadlift, bench press, overhead press, rows) 3–5 days per week to build lean muscle mass rather than fat.
- Consult a nutritionist or sports physician to set a realistic gain target with the right macronutrient breakdown.
- Timeline: Gaining 4–6 kg of lean mass typically takes 3–6 months with consistent effort. Plan well in advance of your medical date.
- Official backing: NDA Notification Appendix IV para 2(d) lists "overweight/underweight" as a condition to be rectified before appearing at the medical board — meaning it is treatable, not permanent.
BMI Formula & Quick Reference
BMI is calculated as: BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ Height² (m²)
Height: 170 cm = 1.70 m | Weight: 65 kg
BMI = 65 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 65 ÷ 2.89 = 22.5 — Normal weight range
| BMI Range | Category | NDA Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| < 18.5 | Underweight | Likely to be below chart minimum weight; temporarily unfit |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal | Ideal range; likely within chart weight limits |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight | May exceed chart maximum; exceptions possible for Army/Navy if National-level athlete and all other criteria met |
| ≥ 30.0 | Obese | Unlikely to meet waist/WHR exception criteria even if sports background; bring weight to chart range |
Navy and Air Force Weight Tables
The Army table above is the most commonly referenced chart. Each wing has its own official table:
- Navy (Annexure B): Has its own weight-for-height chart with the same structure — minimum + maximum weight by height and age band. The values differ slightly from Army. Exception criteria include BMI < 25 and waist circumference < 90 cm (male).
- Air Force (Annexure C, Appendices A and B): Gender-specific weight-for-height tables. The overweight BMI exception threshold is higher — BMI < 27 — and the waist circumference limit is 94 cm (male) / 89 cm (female). Air Force also has specific chest expansion requirements.
- The core principle is identical across all three wings: both a minimum AND a maximum weight are enforced, with a narrow exception pathway for above-chart-weight candidates with National-level sports credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BMI requirement for NDA?
NDA does not use a single BMI cutoff as its primary standard. Instead, it uses a weight-for-height chart specifying both minimum and maximum acceptable weights. BMI is used only as a supplementary check when a candidate's weight exceeds the chart maximum. The supplementary BMI limit is less than 25 for Army/Navy and less than 27 for Air Force.
Does NDA use a BMI chart or a weight-for-height chart?
NDA primarily uses a weight-for-height chart (Annexure A for Army, Annexure B for Navy, Annexure C for Air Force) that specifies both minimum and maximum weights at each height and age band. BMI is a secondary check used only for above-chart-weight exception cases.
What is the minimum weight for NDA at 170 cm?
The minimum weight for NDA at 170 cm (approximately 5 feet 7 inches) is 52.0 kg, applicable to all age groups.
What is the maximum weight for NDA at 170 cm?
The maximum weight for NDA at 170 cm is 63.6 kg for candidates aged 17–20 years, and 66.5 kg for candidates aged 20–30 years, as per the Army wing weight-for-height table (NDA Notification Annexure A).
Can I join NDA if I am overweight?
If your weight exceeds the chart maximum, you may still be considered if you have documented evidence of body-building, wrestling, or boxing at the national level AND your BMI is less than 25 (Army/Navy) or less than 27 (Air Force), AND your waist-hip ratio and waist circumference are within limits, AND all biochemical parameters are normal. All conditions must be met simultaneously.
What is the BMI limit for NDA Air Force?
For the Air Force wing, the supplementary BMI limit (applied only in above-chart-weight exception cases) is less than 27. For Army and Navy, the limit is less than 25.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is calculated as: BMI = Weight (kg) divided by Height squared (m²). For example, a person weighing 65 kg at 170 cm (1.70 m) has a BMI of 65 ÷ (1.70 × 1.70) = 65 ÷ 2.89 = 22.5, which is in the Normal range. Use the calculator above for a quick result.
What is the weight requirement for NDA at 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)?
At 170 cm (approximately 5 feet 7 inches), the NDA Army wing weight requirement is a minimum of 52.0 kg and a maximum of 63.6 kg (for age 17–20 years) or 66.5 kg (for age 20–30 years), per NDA Notification Annexure A.
- NDA Notification Annexure A pages 37–38 — Army wing height-weight table
- DGMS (Army) SN 76060/DGMS-5A August 2019 pages 5–6 — Physical standards (height and weight)
- NDA Notification Annexure B — Navy wing physical standards
- NDA Notification Annexure C (Appendices A and B) — Air Force wing physical standards (gender-specific)
- NDA Notification Appendix IV para 2(d) — Overweight/underweight as a rectifiable defect