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How to Prepare for NDA Physical Test? – Requirements, Running Time

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 11th, 2023

NDA Physical Test standards are detailed in the UPSC notification. Going to the National Defence Academy of India has been a dream for many people. This joint services academy is for those who want to join the Indian Armed Forces, i.e., the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Naval Force. One of the toughest exams administered in the nation is the NDA Physical Test, but if you are committed to passing, you will undoubtedly succeed.

Here we have provided the detailed and latest physical requirements for NDA. Candidates are advised to go through the entire article to prepare for the NDA physical test.

NDA Physical Test

The UPSC conducts the NDA Physical Test round for the screening of the candidates who deserve a seat. This written round is followed by NDA SSB Interview, where the candidates are tested on multiple areas, including their General Awareness, Daily aptitude, overall personality, physical and soft skills, etc. Some medical tests are also included at a later stage.

The NDA Exam is conducted twice a year and is taken by lakhs of students keen on joining the force. There is an age bar of 19 and a half years, and the test cannot be given once you cross the prescribed age limit. Specialized training is given to the candidates based on their area of interest. In the following article, we will share some tips to crack NDA physical test on the first attempt.

NDA Physical Test Overview

The NDA physical test is one of the most important rounds to make your entry into the field of Defence. The NDA physical test details have certain restrictions on the age limit, educational qualifications, and several others. The list below mentions some specific criteria to be adhered to for going into the Indian Defence sector and NDA Preparation Tips after Class 12th:

  • They must be a citizen of India or a refugee from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, or people who have an Indian origin and are migrating back to India from countries like Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, several East African Countries, etc. to settle back in the country.
  • He/ She must have completed his Intermediate education (Class 12) or must be appearing for it in the very same year. Also, if the candidate is interested in choosing the Air Force, he must have Physics and Mathematics as his subjects in 12th grade. This criterion comes into the picture due to various technicalities in managing planes, choppers, etc.
  • Their age must be above 16.5 and not more than 19.5.
  • They must be unmarried at the time of application and shall stay unmarried during the entire training period. If this clause is not adhered to, the candidate shall be disqualified from the training process.

These are some of the most important NDA Eligibility Criteria that must be taken care of. The National Defence Academy is an institute of National and Strategic importance. Therefore, these restrictions are strictly taken care of. There are certain physical restrictions for the NDA physical test as it is a test of stamina, physical endurance, activeness, and many other aspects which require mechanical work and a lot of strength.

NDA Physical Test Requirements

Fitness is mandatory for NDA Physical Test if you want to enter the Defence sector of the economy. A lot of focus has been put on specific requirements which would make the candidates eligible for the NDA physical test.

If the candidate wants to go for the Indian Army or the Air Force, he should be at least 157 and 162.5 centimetres (for Male candidates) & 152 and 162.5 (for Female candidates) tall, respectively.

Parameters

Height (in cm)

Weight (in kgs)

Age  –

16-17 years

17-18 years

18-19 years

Male Candidates

152-183

42.5-62.5

44-65

45-66.5

Female Candidates

147-183

40-62.5

41- 65

42-66.5

Physical Standards for Indian Navy

Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare for NDA physical test for Navy:

Height (in cm)

Weight (in kgs)

For Male & Female Candidates 

Upto 17 years

Upto 18 years

18-20 years

152-183

39-70

43-70

46-74

The candidates who aspire to become pilots also have specific leg measurements to adhere to. Their leg lengths should be between 99 cm to 120 cm. As per the NDA physical test, their thighs can measure a maximum of up to 64 cm, and also when they are in their sitting posture, the height measurement should lie between 81.5 cm to a maximum of 96 cm.

Specific strict visual standards have to be taken care of by the candidates before the NDA Physical Test. He must be six on 6 in terms of his better eye and a six on nine for the worse eye. There are certain restrictions on candidates suffering from Myopia and Hypermetropia. Also, the chest size of the candidate should not be less than 81 centimeters.

How to Prepare for the NDA Physical Test?

The NDA physical test is a test that tests your fitness, stamina, willpower, endurance, and several other areas, which will be made use of during the pieces of training and in the day-to-day work later. In the following article, we are sharing tips to qualify NDA physical test on the first attempt.

The candidates are advised to keep themselves in good shape. If the candidate is not in good shape but still wants to be a part of the NDA physical test, he will have to start working on his body conditioning so that he complies with the minimum requirements laid down by the academy.

  1. The candidates can start running daily for at least 2.5 kilometers. Also, the running should be timed by the candidate. For instance, NDA running time to run for 2.5 kilometers in 17-18 minutes.
  2. Skipping with the help of a rope has also proved to be very effective in terms of physical conditioning. When you skip a rope, there is an oscillating movement of your arms, and also you jump the rope using both your legs. This increases the capacity and strength of both your arms and legs.
  3. Functional Training: Functional fitness is essential for NDA physical tests. Functional fitness makes much more sense as the Defence sector demands high functionality.
  4. Push-ups and Sit-ups have proven to be very effective in functional fitness. At least 20 of each should be done daily, and the number can be increased every five days.
  5. 8-10 chin-ups can be done every day. Also, the candidates can follow the western workouts, which include crunches, burpees, jumping jacks, etc. These exercises contribute significantly to building the stamina of the candidate.
  6. Also, rope climbing exercises have proved to be very effective in endurance building. 3 to 4 meters of rope can be used for rope climbing. Also, the rope-climbing activity is quite adventurous if you build a knack for it.

NDA Physical Test Procedure

After qualifying for the written test, the shortlisted candidates receive their call letters for the SSB and NDA physical test, where basic comprehension and general understanding skills are tested. Those who qualify for these rounds move forward to the Medical Test.

  • The medical fitness round takes care of the complete check-up of the candidates. Specific parameters are set; if the candidates don’t pass with desired results, they might get permanently or temporarily disqualified.
  • After the medical tests, the physical fitness of the candidates is tested. The criteria mentioned above will be checked, and the person’s candidature will be cancelled if any of the requirements stands unfulfilled. Also, body weakness, weak body constitution, body defects, being underweight, obesity, etc. are big no-nos. The bones have to be healthy, and the muscular strength should be enough to reflect good health and stamina.
  • Measurements of chests, thighs, etc. should be kept in mind. Also, various X-rays like that of the chest have to be submitted to the concerned authorities to ensure the breast or any other part per se is free from any ailments or diseases.
  • The candidates should not have a medical or genetic history of night blindness. Candidates should also be mentally fit and free from certain diseases like Arthritis, Spondylosis, Degenerative Disc disease, and any other abnormalities as specified by the NDA Commission.
  • Also, the hearing capacity of the candidate should be good enough. Various audiometric tests are conducted to check if the candidates’ hearing loss is not more than 20 decibels for frequencies of sounds ranging from 250 to 8000 Hz. The sizes of the organs should be reasonable, and the liver and the spleen should not be significant.
  • One of the most important criteria for selecting the candidates is the quality of his teeth. Various teeth scores are allotted, with the maximum being 22. A minimum of 14 points has to be scored to clear this test. Also, the teeth should be free of severe pyorrhoea. Candidates adhering to all these physical standards will be selected and proceed to the training sessions.
  • As per the NDA physical test, a specific race is conducted to check the stamina of the prospective candidates.

Conclusion on NDA Physical Test

The selection process of the National Defence Academy (NDA) is a lengthy one. Still, if the candidates are well prepared for the written, SSB, medical, and physical rounds, they can easily make their way through NDA physical test.

With hard work and perseverance, the NDA physical test can be cracked by the candidates who aspire to become a part of the Indian Defence System. The physical standards are released way before the tests, and if a candidate is lagging in any criterion, he can start working on the same to achieve the desired results. The NDA Physical Test is one of the most strict tests conducted in the country, but if you are determined to get through, you definitely will.

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