Frequently Asked Questions.

The National Defence Academy (NDA) Examination is a national-level entrance exam conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It enables eligible candidates to join the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA.

Candidates are generally required to be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age at the commencement of training. The exact date-of-birth criteria vary for each examination and should be checked in the official UPSC notification.

Yes. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the NDA Examination, subject to the vacancies and eligibility conditions notified by UPSC.

Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination in any stream from a recognised board or institution.

Candidates applying for the Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA, and the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy, must have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Yes. Students appearing for their Class 12 examination can apply for NDA. They must, however, pass the examination and submit the required proof within the deadline specified by UPSC.

The general minimum acceptable height for male candidates is 157 cm, with relaxations available for candidates belonging to certain specified regions and categories. Additional service-specific standards may apply.

The general minimum acceptable height for female candidates is 152 cm, with permitted relaxations for candidates from certain specified regions. Service-specific medical standards may also apply.

The Combined Defence Services Examination (CDS) is conducted twice a year by UPSC for graduates seeking entry into the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).

Candidates applying for the Indian Military Academy are generally required to fall within the 19–24 years age range. IMA entry through CDS is for eligible unmarried male candidates. Exact date-of-birth criteria are specified in each UPSC notification.

Candidates for the Officers Training Academy are generally required to be between 19 and 25 years of age. CDS provides OTA entry opportunities for eligible male and female candidates under the applicable eligibility conditions.

Candidates applying for the Air Force Academy are generally required to be between 20 and 24 years of age. The upper age limit may extend to 26 years for eligible candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by the DGCA.

Candidates must possess a degree from a recognised university or equivalent institution. Final-year degree students may also apply subject to the conditions mentioned in the official notification.

Candidates must meet the medical, physical and visual standards prescribed for their chosen academy and service. These requirements vary between the Army, Navy and Air Force, so candidates should refer to the latest official UPSC and service-specific medical guidelines.

The Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by the Indian Air Force for the selection of officers into the Flying Branch and Ground Duty Technical and Non-Technical Branches.

Candidates for the Flying Branch must generally be between 20 and 24 years of age at the commencement of training. Candidates holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by the DGCA may receive relaxation up to 26 years.

For Ground Duty Technical and Non-Technical Branches, candidates are generally required to be between 20 and 26 years of age at the commencement of training.

Candidates must have passed Mathematics and Physics at the 10+2 level and must also hold either:

• A minimum three-year graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or
• A BE/BTech degree, or
• Another qualification specifically recognised by the Indian Air Force.

The required marks and detailed eligibility conditions should be verified from the notification for the relevant AFCAT cycle.

The AFCAT selection process generally includes:

1. 1AFCAT Written Examination
2. 2AFSB Testing
3. 3Medical Examination
4. 4Final Merit List

The AFSB process includes screening, psychological tests, group tasks and a personal interview. Final selection is based on merit, medical fitness, eligibility and available vacancies.

AISSEE stands for All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination. It is the entrance examination used for admission to eligible classes in Sainik Schools and participating New Sainik Schools.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts AISSEE on behalf of the Sainik Schools Society.

AISSEE is primarily conducted for admission to:

• Class 6
• Class 9

Admission depends on eligibility, vacancies and the conditions prescribed for the particular school.

Yes. Eligible female students can apply, subject to the admission rules and availability of seats applicable to the school and class.

Students should generally be between 10 and 12 years old as on 31 March of the admission year.

For the 2027–28 session, applicants should verify the exact date-of-birth requirement from the AISSEE 2027 Information Bulletin.

Students should generally be between 13 and 15 years old as on 31 March of the admission year.

The exact eligibility conditions must be confirmed from the official notification.

No. AISSEE is normally conducted as a pen-and-paper examination using OMR answer sheets.

In recent AISSEE examinations, there has been no negative marking. Students should nevertheless confirm the rule from the 2027 Information Bulletin once published.

Applications should be submitted through the official National Testing Agency AISSEE portal once registration for the 2027 examination opens.

The National Testing Agency will announce the registration dates through its official notification.

Students and parents should avoid depending solely on unofficial dates circulated online.

The examination date must be confirmed from the official AISSEE 2027 announcement issued by NTA.

Qualifying the written examination is an important stage of the admission process. Candidates may subsequently have to complete counselling, document verification, medical requirements and other admission formalities depending on the applicable rules.

Final admission is subject to merit, eligibility, reservation rules, medical fitness, availability of seats and other conditions prescribed by the authorities.