The single most important decision you need to make before applying is: which wing matches your current vision? The table and summary below will tell you immediately.
- Army: myopia allowed up to −2.5 D Sph · colour perception CP-II
- Navy: myopia allowed up to −1.0 D Sph · colour perception CP Pass
- Air Force Flying: NIL myopia (zero tolerance) · colour perception CP-I (strictest)
| Wing | Myopia allowed? | Max myopia | Colour perception |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | Yes | −2.5 D Sph | CP-II |
| Navy | Yes, limited | −1.0 D Sph | CP Pass (Ishihara) |
| Air Force Flying | NO | Nil | CP-I (most stringent) |
NDA Army wing — full vision standard
The Army wing has the most permissive vision standard of the three, allowing moderate myopia and the widest astigmatism range. Spectacles are accepted at the medical board.
| Parameter | Standard |
|---|---|
| Uncorrected visual acuity | 6/36 in each eye |
| Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) | 6/6 in each eye |
| Myopia — maximum spherical | ≤ −2.5 D Sph |
| Astigmatism — maximum cylindrical | ≤ ±2.0 D Cyl |
| Hypermetropia — maximum spherical | ≤ +2.5 D Sph |
| LASIK / refractive surgery | NOT permitted |
| Colour perception | CP-II |
Source: NDA Annexure A para 9 / DGMS Army Aug 2019, page 7.
NDA Air Force Flying — full vision standard
The Flying branch has the strictest vision requirements of any NDA wing. Because pilots depend entirely on their eyes in high-speed environments, myopia is absolutely prohibited.
| Parameter | Standard |
|---|---|
| Myopia | NIL (both manifest and retinoscopic) |
| Hypermetropia — maximum spherical | +1.5 D Sph |
| Astigmatism — maximum cylindrical | +0.75 D Cyl |
| Visual acuity (unaided) | 6/6 one eye; 6/9 other eye |
| Best Corrected Visual Acuity | 6/6 in each eye (correction permitted only for hypermetropia) |
| Colour perception | CP-I — most stringent grade |
| LASIK / refractive surgery | Permitted under specific conditions (see LASIK section) |
Source: NDA Annexure C / AFCAT 02/2023 Appendix C.
What do CP-I, CP-II and CP Pass mean?
CP stands for Colour Perception. The Indian Armed Forces use a graded scale to classify colour vision, and different NDA wings require different minimum grades.
| Grade | What it means | Required for |
|---|---|---|
| CP-I | Full normal colour vision. No confusion errors at all on Ishihara plates or anomaloscope. The strictest grade. | Air Force Flying (mandatory) |
| CP-II | Near-normal colour vision. Minor errors allowed. Can reliably distinguish operationally relevant colours. | NDA Army wing |
| CP Pass | Passes the standard Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plate test. Mild colour deficiency may be present but does not fail the test. Also referred to as CP-III in some documents. | NDA Navy wing |
| CP Fail | Fails the Ishihara test — cannot distinguish red-green or similar combinations. Unfit for all NDA wings. | Disqualifying for all wings |
A candidate who satisfies CP-I automatically satisfies CP-II and CP Pass. If you are not colour-deficient, your CP grade will be CP-I and you are eligible for all wings based on colour perception alone. Colour deficiency cannot be corrected by any procedure or lenses.
Common visual disqualifications
The following eye conditions permanently disqualify a candidate from NDA regardless of wing, unless otherwise specified.
Absolutely disqualifying for all wings
- Keratoconus
- Pseudophakia (artificial lens)
- Optic Nerve Drusen
- Heterochromia Iridum
- Exotropia (outward squint)
- Manifest squint (any direction)
- Nystagmus
- Active uveitis
- Night blindness
- Anisocoria >1 mm
- High Cup-Disc Ratio with RNFL defect
- Radial Keratotomy (RK)
Lattice degeneration — disqualifying patterns
Lattice degeneration is a common peripheral retinal thinning condition. Most cases are compatible with NDA service, but the following patterns disqualify:
- Single circumferential lattice lesion more than 2 clock hours in extent
- Two or more lattice lesions each more than 1 clock hour
- Radial lattice lesions
- Lattice degeneration with atrophic hole or flap tear that has NOT been treated by laser
- Lattice degeneration located posterior to the equator
LASIK — brief overview
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is not permitted for NDA Army wing. For the Air Force Flying branch, LASIK is conditionally permitted provided all of the following criteria are met: the procedure is performed after age 20, at least 12 months have elapsed since surgery before the medical board, the post-operative refraction is within NIL myopia limits, no complications are present, and corneal topography confirms stable results.
For Navy wing, LASIK permissibility follows a similar conditional framework to Army (generally not encouraged). Candidates considering LASIK specifically to qualify for the Flying branch should plan the surgery at least 18 months before the anticipated SSB/medical board date to allow full healing and documentation.
For the complete LASIK eligibility conditions, timing requirements, and what happens if LASIK causes regression, see the full guide: NDA LASIK Requirements — complete guide.
Actionable advice for aspirants
- Get a full refraction check at least 6 months before applying. Ask for both manifest and cycloplegic (dilated) refraction. Cycloplegic refraction may reveal latent hypermetropia or hidden myopia not visible on a standard chart test.
- If your myopia is greater than −1.0 D, the Army wing is your best fit among all three. Navy and Flying are closed to you until your prescription is within limits (and LASIK is not a shortcut for Army wing).
- If you have any myopia at all, the Air Force Flying branch is not currently open to you unless you undergo approved LASIK and meet all post-surgical conditions.
- If you are planning LASIK for the Flying branch, the surgery must be done after age 20 and at least 12 months must pass before your medical board. In practice, plan 18 months to be safe. Do not schedule LASIK while still under 20.
- Get your colour vision tested professionally. The standard Ishihara test given in schools may not be administered under correct lighting conditions. An ophthalmologist's formal report is more reliable.
- If you have lattice degeneration, consult a vitreoretinal specialist to classify the extent and pattern. If it falls in a disqualifying category, prophylactic laser treatment may make you eligible — but this must be done well before the medical board.
Frequently asked questions
-
What is the eyesight requirement for NDA Army wing?
For NDA Army wing, uncorrected vision must be at least 6/36 in each eye and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) must be 6/6 in each eye. Myopia must not exceed −2.5 D spherical, astigmatism must be within ±2.0 D cylindrical, and hypermetropia must not exceed +2.5 D spherical. Colour perception must be CP-II. LASIK is not permitted for Army wing. -
Can I join NDA with myopia (minus power glasses)?
Yes, with wing-specific conditions. Army wing allows myopia up to −2.5 D spherical. Navy wing allows myopia up to −1.0 D spherical. Air Force Flying allows no myopia whatsoever — even −0.25 D disqualifies you from Flying. Air Force Ground Duty follows Army-equivalent standards. -
What is the vision requirement for NDA Air Force Flying?
For NDA Air Force Flying, myopia must be NIL (both manifest and retinoscopic). Hypermetropia up to +1.5 D spherical is permitted. Astigmatism must be within +0.75 D cylindrical. Visual acuity must be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other eye unaided. Colour perception must be CP-I — the most stringent grade. LASIK is permitted only under specific post-surgical conditions. -
Is colour blindness allowed in NDA?
No. Colour blindness (colour deficiency) disqualifies a candidate from all NDA wings. The grade required varies: Army needs CP-II, Navy needs CP Pass (Ishihara), and Air Force Flying requires CP-I (full normal colour vision). Colour deficiency cannot be corrected by spectacles, contact lenses or any medical procedure. -
Can I join NDA Navy with spectacles?
Yes, spectacles are permitted for Navy wing if myopia does not exceed −1.0 D spherical, hypermetropia does not exceed +2.0 D spherical, astigmatism is within ±1.0 D cylindrical, and corrected vision achieves 6/6 in each eye. Uncorrected vision must also be at least 6/12 in each eye. -
What does CP-I and CP-II mean in NDA eyesight standards?
CP stands for Colour Perception. CP-I is the strictest grade — it requires full normal colour vision with no errors on Ishihara plates or anomaloscope. CP-I is mandatory for Air Force Flying. CP-II allows near-normal colour vision with minor errors and is the Army standard. CP Pass (sometimes called CP-III) means passing the standard Ishihara test and is sufficient for Navy. A candidate who satisfies CP-I satisfies all lower grades automatically. -
What eye conditions permanently disqualify a candidate from NDA?
Permanently disqualifying conditions include: Keratoconus, Pseudophakia, Optic Nerve Drusen, Heterochromia Iridum, Exotropia, Manifest squint, Nystagmus, Active uveitis, Night blindness, Anisocoria >1 mm, High Cup-Disc Ratio with RNFL defect, Radial Keratotomy (RK), and certain patterns of Lattice Degeneration with atrophic holes or flap tears. This list is not exhaustive — the medical board may identify other disqualifying conditions. -
What is the BCVA requirement for NDA?
BCVA (Best Corrected Visual Acuity) is the sharpest vision achievable with spectacles. For NDA Army wing, BCVA must be 6/6 in each eye. For Navy wing, corrected vision must be 6/6 in each eye. For Air Force Flying, BCVA of 6/6 in each eye must be achievable, but correction is only permitted for hypermetropia — myopic correction is not allowed for Flying candidates.
Sources
- UPSC NDA & NA (I) 2025 Notification, Annexure A para 9 — Army wing vision standards
- UPSC NDA & NA (I) 2025 Notification, Annexure B para 8 — Navy wing vision standards
- UPSC NDA & NA (I) 2025 Notification, Annexure C — Air Force Flying vision and colour perception standards
- DGMS (Army) Medical Standards SN 76060/DGMS-5A, 01 Aug 2019, page 7 — disqualifying eye conditions
- AFCAT 02/2023 Appendix C — Air Force Flying anthropometric and vision standards confirmation