NDA Medical Test Success Guide: Understanding Requirements and Avoiding Common Disqualifications

Height and Weight Standards

For Male Candidates (Army and Air Force)

• Minimum Height: 157.5 cm (5 feet 2 inches)
• Height can be relaxed to 157 cm for candidates from hilly regions
• Weight must be proportionate to height and age

For Female Candidates (Permanent Commission – Army)

• Minimum Height: 152 cm (5 feet)
• Weight must be proportionate to height and age

For Naval Candidates

• Minimum Height: 157 cm for all entries
• Leg Length: Minimum 81.5 cm

Weight Assessment: Medical boards use Body Mass Index (BMI) for evaluation:

• Acceptable BMI Range: 18.5 to 25
• Underweight (BMI below 18): May face temporary rejection
• Overweight (BMI above 25): Temporary rejection until weight normalized

Important: Weight can be corrected before reappearing for medical. Focus on healthy weight gain or loss through proper nutrition and exercise.

Vision Standards – Critical Requirements

Vision standards are among the strictest and most common disqualification causes:

For Army Candidates (Technical Entry)

• Distant Vision: 6/6 in better eye, 6/9 in worse eye (without glasses)
• Myopia: Maximum -3.5 D
• Hypermetropia: Maximum +3.5 D
• No color blindness
• No night blindness

For Air Force Candidates (Pilot/Navigator)

• Distant Vision: 6/6 in both eyes (without correction)
• No refractive error acceptable for pilot entry
• Perfect color perception
• No history of eye surgery (including LASIK)

For Naval Candidates

• Distant Vision: 6/6, 6/9 (correctable to 6/6, 6/6 with glasses)
• Myopia up to -2.5 D acceptable
• Color perception must be CP-III standard minimum

Common Eye Disqualification Causes:

1. Progressive myopia (continuously worsening vision)
2. Color blindness (inability to distinguish red-green)
3. Night blindness (poor vision in low light)
4. Squint or eye muscle weakness
5. Previous eye surgeries or injuries
6. Retinal problems or detachment

Prevention Strategy:

• Get comprehensive eye examination 6 months before NDA exam
• If wearing glasses, maintain stable prescription
• Practice eye exercises to reduce strain
• Eat vitamin A-rich foods (carrots, papaya, eggs)
• Avoid excessive screen time
• Never hide eye problems hoping they’ll be overlooked

Dental Standards and Requirements

Many candidates underestimate dental health importance:

Minimum Requirements:

• At least 14 dental points (specific teeth count as different points)
• No active dental decay or cavities
• No severe gum disease (pyorrhea)
• No impacted wisdom teeth causing problems
• Adequate bite strength

Dental Point System:

• Each front tooth (incisors) = 1 point
• Each premolar = 1 point
• Each molar = 2 points

Common Dental Disqualifications:

• Severe tooth decay affecting multiple teeth
• Missing teeth without prosthetics
• Advanced gum disease
• Jaw alignment problems
• Insufficient chewing capability

Prevention Strategy:

• Visit dentist immediately after SSB recommendation
• Get any required fillings or extractions done early
• Maintain excellent oral hygiene
• Fix any cavities promptly
• Get dental clearance certificate before medical

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Fitness

Your heart and lungs power everything you do in military service:

Heart Standards:

• Normal heart rate: 60-100 beats per minute at rest
• No murmurs or irregular rhythms
• Blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg (acceptable range 100/70 to 140/90)
• No history of heart disease, rheumatic fever, or congenital defects
• Normal ECG readings

Respiratory Standards:

• Normal breathing patterns
• No chronic asthma or wheezing
• No tuberculosis history
• Chest expansion: Minimum 5 cm difference between full inhalation and exhalation
• No chronic bronchitis or respiratory allergies

Common Cardiovascular Disqualifications:

• Heart murmurs or valve problems
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• High or very low blood pressure
• History of rheumatic fever
• Congenital heart defects

Prevention Strategy:

• Regular cardiovascular exercise (running, swimming)
• Maintain healthy blood pressure through diet
• Avoid smoking and tobacco in any form
• Get heart screening if family history of cardiac issues
• Build good lung capacity through aerobic training

Musculoskeletal System Requirements

Your bones, joints, and muscles must handle extreme physical demands:

Spine and Posture:

• No significant spinal curvature (scoliosis, kyphosis)
• Normal range of motion in all joints
• No flat feet (accepted if asymptomatic and functional)
• No knock knees or bow legs beyond acceptable limits
• No deformities affecting military duties

Joint Health:

• Full range of motion in shoulders, elbows, wrists
• Normal knee function without previous injuries
• Ankle stability without chronic sprains
• No arthritis or joint inflammation

Common Musculoskeletal Disqualifications:

• Flat feet causing pain or functional limitation
• Previous fractures with improper healing
• Severe spinal curvature
• Joint instability or chronic dislocation
• Limited range of motion in major joints
• Varicose veins (severe cases)

Prevention Strategy:

• Maintain correct posture during study and training
• Use proper footwear for running and exercises
• Strengthen core muscles for spine support
• Address any joint pain immediately
• Avoid injuries through proper warm-up before physical training

ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Standards

Hearing Requirements:

• Normal hearing in both ears
• No chronic ear infections
• No perforated eardrums
• Pass audiometry test (whisper test)
• No history of ear surgeries for chronic conditions

Nose and Throat:

• No deviated nasal septum affecting breathing
• No chronic sinusitis
• No enlarged tonsils or adenoids requiring surgery
• Normal speech without stammering

Common ENT Disqualifications:

• Hearing loss in one or both ears
• Perforated eardrum
• Chronic ear discharge
• Severe nasal allergies or blockage
• Speech impediments

Prevention Strategy:

• Protect ears from loud noise and infections
• Treat any ear infections immediately and completely
• Address chronic cold or sinus problems early
• Avoid inserting objects in ears
• Get ENT checkup if you have frequent allergies

Skin and External Physical Conditions

Acceptable Conditions:

• Minor scars from accidents or surgeries
• Moles not affecting function
• Normal skin tone variations

Disqualifying Conditions:

• Extensive tattoos on visible body parts (arms below elbow, legs below knee, hands, face, neck)
• Chronic skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis in active state)
• Vitiligo affecting large body areas
• Keloid scarring tendency
• Excessive birthmarks in visible areas

Tattoo Policy Update (as per latest guidelines):

• Tribal/religious tattoos limited to specific body parts
• Content must not be offensive, anti-national, or obscene
• Size restrictions apply (4 inches maximum on certain areas)
• Get exact requirements before getting any tattoo

Abdominal and Internal Organs

Standards:

• No hernias (inguinal, umbilical, or others)
• Normal liver and kidney function
• No history of major abdominal surgeries
• No chronic digestive disorders
• Normal urine examination

Disqualifying Conditions:

• Untreated hernias
• Kidney stones or chronic kidney disease
• Liver disease or hepatitis
• Chronic gastric ulcers
• Diabetes (Type 1 or unstable Type 2)

Neurological and Psychological Fitness

Requirements:

• No history of epilepsy or seizures
• No chronic migraines affecting daily function
• Stable mental health
• No clinical depression or anxiety disorders
• No history of psychiatric hospitalization

Note: Temporary stress or exam anxiety doesn’t disqualify you. Clinical mental health conditions requiring ongoing treatment may be reviewed case-by-case.

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