The NDA physical fitness test is a compulsory part of the selection process for the National Defence Academy. It checks whether a candidate is physically and medically fit to undergo military training.

The test comes after the written exam and SSB interview, and many students are rejected at this stage due to poor preparation.

The NDA physical fitness test is a full medical evaluation. Candidates are tested for vision, posture, height, weight, chest expansion, bone structure, and overall health.

If any of these do not meet the official standards, the candidate is declared unfit—even if they performed well in earlier stages.

At Alpha NDA Academy, students are trained with equal focus on academics, interview skills, and physical readiness. Fitness training is part of daily life, not an afterthought.

NDA Physical Fitness Test: Why Physical Fitness Is Essential for NDA Admission

NDA cadets follow a routine that involves early morning drills, running, obstacle training, weapon handling, and long hours of physical effort. A weak body cannot survive this training, let alone serve in the Armed Forces.

Physical fitness builds confidence, mental discipline, and stamina. Without it, even the best students may fail during the medical stage or later in training.

That’s why Alpha NDA coaching builds fitness from the foundation. Students follow a structured routine of morning workouts, functional strength training, stretching, and proper nutrition. Over time, their body adapts to the demands of NDA life.

What Does the NDA Physical Fitness Test Include?

The NDA fitness test is not a typical running race or push-up drill. Instead, it is a complete medical assessment that checks your body’s ability to handle military training.

It is conducted by defence medical professionals after you clear the SSB interview.

Some of the key areas they evaluate include:

• Height and weight proportion
• Chest measurement and expansion
• Eye and ear health
• Skeletal and muscular structure
• Posture and limb alignment
• Dental health
• Mental and internal well-being

These checks are designed to ensure your body can withstand the physical and mental stress of NDA training. At Alpha NDA defence academy, all of these areas are addressed through practical training and awareness.

Height and Weight Standards

One of the first things examined is your height and weight ratio. These must match the NDA medical standards based on age.

• Army and Navy require a minimum height of about 157 cm
• Air Force requires a minimum of about 162.5 cm

Your weight should match the height chart given in the official NDA guidelines. Being overweight or underweight by more than a few kilograms can lead to rejection.

Alpha NDA coaching provides customized diet plans and physical routines to help students achieve the right body weight.

For example, a Class 11 student who was underweight by 6 kg was able to gain healthy weight in just three months with guidance from the Alpha team.

Read More: Physical Requirements for NDA for Male Candidates in India

Chest Measurement and Expansion

Candidates must show a minimum of 5 cm chest expansion when taking a deep breath. This test is used to measure lung capacity and breathing strength, which are critical for endurance and obstacle activities.

If your chest does not expand enough, it may signal weak lungs or underdeveloped respiratory strength.

At Alpha, daily breathing exercises, running, and core workouts help improve lung power. Over time, this naturally increases chest expansion without any forced efforts.

Vision and Eye Health

Eyesight is another major reason students get rejected. For the Army and Navy, the acceptable vision is 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, even with glasses.

The Air Force has stricter requirements—no color blindness, night blindness, or significant eye defects.

Many students don’t even know they have minor eye problems until the NDA medical test. That’s why Alpha NDA Academy encourages regular eye check-ups and healthy screen-time habits. Students are taught how to protect their vision while preparing for the exam.

Bone, Posture, and Joint Health

Doctors will check your knees, spine, and foot structure. Common reasons for rejection include:

• Knock knees
• Flat feet
• Scoliosis (curved spine)
• Previous fractures or untreated injuries

These problems can often be improved if caught early. At Alpha NDA defence academy, students go through regular mock medical evaluations where these issues are identified and addressed through stretching, posture correction, and strength exercises.

Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT), and Dental Health

Good hearing, healthy gums, and clean teeth are also part of the medical standards. Candidates with serious dental problems, chronic ear infections, or hearing issues may face disqualification.

At Alpha NDA Academy, students are advised to undergo full dental and ENT checks before appearing for the real test. This ensures small issues don’t become big reasons for rejection.

NDA Physical Fitness Test for Girls

With the inclusion of female candidates in NDA, many girls now prepare for the same medical test. While some physical standards differ slightly, the expectations are still high.

Here are some of the key physical requirements for girls:

• Height: Around 152 cm for Army and Navy, and 162.5 cm for Air Force
• Weight: Must be within the healthy BMI range
• No spine or joint deformities
• Clear vision and normal hearing
• Regular menstrual health and no long-term hormonal disorders

Alpha NDA coaching provides separate fitness plans for girls. These include strength training, mobility drills, yoga, and balanced nutrition.

A girl who joined Alpha underweight at 40 kg gained 5 kg and improved her stamina within two months using safe, planned techniques.

Read More: Physical Requirements for NDA for Female Candidates

Is There Any Running or Push-up Test in NDA?

The NDA does not conduct a fixed physical activity like a race or a push-up count during the medical test. However, your body’s strength, flexibility, and stamina are evaluated through indirect observations and detailed medical analysis.

That’s why physical training is still important. At Alpha, students are trained in:

• Running 2.4 km in 10–12 minutes
• Doing 20–30 push-ups daily
• Practicing chin-ups and planks
• Core and leg strength exercises
• Stretching and balance work

These workouts prepare the body for NDA training life and reduce the chances of injuries during future drills.

Common Reasons for Rejection in NDA Medical

Many candidates are unaware of the small issues that lead to medical rejection. Based on experience at Alpha NDA Academy, here are some common causes:

• Incorrect height-weight ratio
• Flat feet or knock knees
• Weak chest expansion
• Poor eyesight or color vision problems
• Dental issues like missing molars or misalignment
• Ear infections or hearing problems
• Poor posture or spinal problems

Most of these can be improved or treated if you start early. That’s why Alpha advises candidates to start fitness preparation at least 6 to 12 months before the exam.

Physical Requirements for Male and Female Aspirants

Male and female NDA aspirants are judged differently in a few areas, but both must be strong, fit, and medically sound.

For boys:

• Minimum height ~157 cm (Army/Navy), ~162.5 cm (Air Force)
• At least 5 cm chest expansion
• Balanced posture and joint alignment
• Healthy vision and no color blindness

For girls:

• Minimum height ~152 cm (Army/Navy), ~162.5 cm (Air Force)
• Healthy BMI within limits
• No spinal curve or joint deformities
• Good stamina and hormonal health

At Alpha NDA Academy, training routines are adjusted based on gender, fitness level, and timeline. Every student receives personal attention to ensure they meet every requirement with confidence.

When to Start NDA Fitness Preparation?

The ideal time to begin preparing for NDA fitness is in Class 10 or 11, when your body is still developing and can adjust quickly to physical training. However, even 3–6 months of focused effort can bring real improvements if done right.

Alpha NDA coaching starts early and tracks student progress through regular fitness checks, allowing time to fix any weaknesses before the final medical test.

Conclusion

The NDA physical fitness test is a detailed check of your body’s readiness for defence life. It’s not something to ignore or postpone. Many students lose their chance due to avoidable issues like flat feet, poor eyesight, or being overweight.

With proper training, guidance, and medical awareness, these problems can be fixed early. That’s exactly what Alpha NDA provides—complete physical preparation alongside academics.

Whether you’re aiming to join as a boy or a girl, the standards are clear. And with support from Alpha NDA defence academy, you won’t just meet them—you’ll exceed them.

Start today. Train smart. And walk into your NDA medical confident, strong, and fully ready.

Let Alpha guide your journey from student to cadet.

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