NDA Physical Medical Test is the stage where most aspirants lose their dream, even after clearing the written exam.
Every year, over 4 lakh candidates apply for NDA, but barely 1% finally qualify, and the biggest reason is failure in the NDA Physical Medical Test.
👉 If you don’t understand height, weight, eyesight, and medical standards properly, all your hard work can go waste.
This blog is a complete, real, no-myth guide on NDA Physical Medical Test: Complete Guide (Height, Weight, Eyesight), written in simple language, like one aspirant explaining to another.
The NDA Physical Medical Test checks a candidate’s height, weight, BMI, eyesight, dental health, hearing, and overall fitness to ensure suitability for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Introduction
The NDA selection process has three major stages:
- Written Examination (UPSC)
- SSB Interview
- NDA Physical Medical Test
Many candidates think clearing written + SSB is enough. It’s not true.
Around 60% candidates are rejected in medical round due to avoidable mistakes like eyesight issues, wrong BMI, flat feet, or overweight problems.
The NDA Physical Medical Test focuses mainly on:
- Height & Weight
- Eyesight & Vision
- Overall medical fitness
This guide covers:
- NDA Medical Test height and weight
- Eyesight & Height Requirements for NDA Exam
- NDA height, weight and chest for boy
- NDA height, weight and chest for girl
- NDA Medical test details for girl
Physical Standards for Boys And Girls – NDA Coaching
NDA Physical Standards Overview
Why Physical Fitness Matters in NDA
The Armed Forces need officers who are:
- Physically strong
- Medically fit
- Mentally tough
SSB medical boards reject nearly 60% candidates mainly due to:
- Poor eyesight
- Height mismatch
- Overweight or underweight BMI
- Flat feet or knock knees
The NDA physical test is not just a formality. It checks if your body can handle:
- Long marches
- Extreme weather
- High-stress combat situations
Eligibility Basics for NDA Medical Test
NDA Physical Eligibility & Medical Eligibility
- Age Limit: As per UPSC NDA notification
- Gender: Male & Female (both eligible)
- Medical Board: Conducted after SSB recommendation
The NDA medical test happens in two stages:
- Initial Medical Examination
- Detailed Medical Examination
Failing in either stage leads to rejection or temporary unfitness.
Common Reasons for NDA Medical Rejection
Some very common reasons from the NDA medical rejection list are:
| Reason |
Approx. Rejection % |
| NDA eyesight rejection |
35% |
| Height below standard |
20% |
| NDA overweight rejection |
15% |
| Flat foot |
10% |
| Dental issues |
8% |
| Other medical issues |
12% |
👉 Action Tip: Always go for a pre-medical checkup before SSB.
NDA Physical Fitness Test (PFT) – Real Standards
The NDA fitness test includes physical drills that check stamina and strength.
Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Standards
- Running Test:
2.4 km in 15 minutes (NDA running test standards) - Push-ups:
Minimum 20 (NDA push up standards) - Sit-ups:
Minimum 20 (NDA sit up test) - Chin-ups (Pull-ups):
Minimum 8 (NDA chin up test) - Rope Climbing:
3.4 meters using hands & feet
These are not optional. If you fail here, you won’t even reach detailed medicals.
NDA Medical Examination – Two Stages Explained
Stage 1: Initial Medical Screening
This includes:
- Height & Weight measurement
- BMI calculation
- General physical examination
- NDA blood test
- Urine test
Candidates failing basic criteria are declared unfit immediately.
Stage 2: Detailed Medical Examination
If you clear Stage 1, you go through detailed checks:
- Vision Test (NDA eye test standards)
- NDA hearing test
- NDA dental check
- NDA X-ray test
- Ultrasound, ECG
ENT, Orthopedic & Surgical checks
Height Requirements for NDA
Minimum Height by Category
| Wing |
Male |
Female |
| Army |
157 cm |
152 cm |
| Navy |
162.5 cm |
152 cm |
| Air Force |
162.5 cm |
152 cm |
👉 Regional Relaxation:
Candidates from NE states get up to 5 cm relaxation.
This applies to:
- NDA height for army navy air force
- NDA height, weight and chest for boy
NDA height, weight and chest for girl
How Height is Measured
- Barefoot
- Heels together
- Straight posture
- Head in Frankfurt plane
Many candidates lose height due to bad posture, so practice standing straight daily.
Weight and BMI Standards for NDA
NDA Medical Test Height and Weight
Weight must be proportional to height and age.
| Height (cm) |
Weight Range (kg) |
| 157 |
48–58 |
| 162 |
50–62 |
| 167 |
52–65 |
👉 BMI should be below 25.
Around 25% candidates fail only due to weight issues.
Weight Measurement Rules
- Weigh-in may be without heavy clothing
- Hydration level affects result
- Sudden weight loss is discouraged
Eyesight & Vision Tests in NDA
Vision Requirements
- Better Eye: 6/6
- Worse Eye: 6/9
- Without correction
- Color blindness is not allowed (especially for Air Force)
Spectacles Limit
- Myopia: up to -0.5
- Hypermetropia: up to +1.5
Complete Eye Examination Includes
- Refraction test
- Field of vision test
- Night vision
- Color vision (Ishihara)
Around 40% Air Force aspirants fail due to eyesight issues.
🔴 Why Every Aspirant Worries About “Knock Knees” & “Spectacles” (Important Reality Check)
This is one of the most searched and misunderstood topics in the NDA Physical Medical Test.
Knock Knees in NDA Medical Test
- Knock knees are a valid reason for NDA medical rejection
- Even mild knock knees detected during standing posture test can lead to unfitness
- Doctors check:
- Knee gap alignment
- Leg symmetry
- Load-bearing posture
👉 Important Truth:
Exercises cannot “cure” true knock knees. Training helps posture, but structural knock knees are disqualifying.
Action Tip:
Get an orthopedic assessment before SSB to know your real status.
Spectacles & Eyesight Confusion in NDA
- Wearing spectacles does NOT automatically mean rejection
- The real issue is power limit
- Many candidates fail because:
- They hide their eye power history
- They attempt laser surgery without knowing NDA rules
- Their vision worsens due to screen overuse
👉 Reality:
Low-power eyesight is acceptable in Army & Navy, but Air Force standards are very strict.
Action Tip:
Do a complete eye check 6–12 months before SSB, not at the last moment.
Dental, Hearing & Internal Tests
NDA Dental Check
- Minimum 14 dental points
- Healthy gums
- No severe cavities
NDA Hearing Test
- Forced whisper test at 610 cm
- No ear deformity
Internal Medical Tests
- Chest X-ray
- Ultrasound abdomen
- ECG
- Blood & urine tests for diseases
Other Key Medical Standards
- Spine & Limbs: No scoliosis, knock knees, or joint problems
- Flat Foot: Common reason for NDA flat foot rejection
- Tattoos: Generally prohibited
- Laser Surgery: Can cause NDA laser surgery issue if done recently
- No chronic diseases or glandular swelling
Preparation for NDA Physical Medical Test
NDA Physical Preparation Plan
Focus on:
- Running daily
- Push-ups & sit-ups
- Pull-ups practice
- Rope climbing
NDA Fitness Training Plan
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Skipping
- Balanced diet & hydration
NDA Medical Test Prep
- Eye checkup 6 months before
- Dental cleaning
- Orthopedic screening
Maintain hygiene
Role of Cadets Defence Academy – Dehradun
At Cadets Defence Academy, aspirants are trained as per latest NDA physical standards.
Why Cadets Defence Academy?
- Focus on Physical Standards for Boys And Girls – NDA Coaching
- Regular fitness monitoring
- Mock medical tests
- Affordable coaching environment
- Real guidance, no false promises
They prepare candidates not just to clear NDA, but to survive the NDA Physical Medical Test confidently.
Conclusion
Clearing the NDA Physical Medical Test requires discipline, awareness, and consistent preparation. Height, weight, eyesight, and overall fitness play a decisive role in your final selection. Candidates who prepare early and follow a structured fitness plan have a much higher success rate than those who rely on last-minute efforts.
The journey to NDA is challenging, but with the right mindset, preparation, and guidance, it is absolutely achievable. Start your physical preparation today, get a medical pre-checkup done, and work steadily toward your goal of joining the Indian Armed Forces.
Prepared candidates have 80% higher chances of clearing medicals.
If you want structured preparation, real guidance, and disciplined training, Cadets Defence Academy, Dehradun stands as a reliable and affordable choice for serious NDA aspirants.
👉 Start preparing early. Get medically fit. Your uniform is waiting. 🇮🇳
FAQs – NDA Physical Medical Test
1. What is the NDA Physical Medical Test?
The NDA Physical Medical Test checks fitness, height, weight, eyesight, and overall health to match Armed Forces standards.
2. What are NDA Medical Test height and weight requirements?
Height starts from 157 cm (boys) and 152 cm (girls) with proportional weight and BMI under 25.
3. Is eyesight rejection common in NDA?
Yes, NDA eyesight rejection is one of the top rejection reasons, especially for Air Force.
5. Does flat foot cause rejection in NDA?
Yes, flat foot is a valid reason for NDA medical rejection.