The NDA eligibility for repeaters is the same as it is for first-time applicants. As long as a candidate fulfills the age, education, physical, and medical criteria set by UPSC, they can appear for the NDA exam again.

At Alpha NDA Academy, we’ve guided thousands of repeaters who have successfully cleared NDA on their second or even third attempts. Repeaters often have more clarity about the exam and perform better with structured preparation.

This article covers everything you need to know about NDA eligibility for repeaters, including age limits, attempts allowed, criteria for female repeaters, medical fitness, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Let’s walk through the complete details step by step.

NDA Eligibility for Repeaters: Complete Guide By Alpha NDA Coaching

Before understanding eligibility, it’s important to define who a repeater is.

A repeater is a candidate who has appeared for the NDA exam before but did not clear it. This may include those who missed the written exam cut-off, got screened out in SSB, or were declared medically unfit.

Many repeaters also include students who passed the written exam but couldn’t make it through the final merit list.

UPSC does not label or track repeaters separately. You are treated as a new applicant each time.

At Alpha NDA coaching, we run special repeater batches because we understand that these candidates already know the pattern — they just need correction, focus, and better strategy.

Number of Attempts Allowed for NDA

A common doubt among repeaters is whether UPSC allows multiple attempts.

The answer is simple. The nda eligibility for repeaters includes no fixed attempt limit. You can apply for the NDA exam multiple times as long as you fulfill the eligibility conditions each time.

Since the NDA exam is held twice a year, most students get 4 to 6 chances before they cross the age limit. This applies to both male and female candidates.

At Alpha NDA defence academy, we help students calculate their remaining attempts and create a focused plan to make the most of their time.

NDA Age Limit 2026 for Repeaters

The age limit is the most important factor for repeater eligibility.

Repeaters must fall between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age, calculated based on the course joining date.

For NDA 1 2026, candidates should be born between 2nd July 2005 and 1st July 2008. For NDA 2 2026, the expected range will be 2nd January 2006 to 1st January 2009. These dates will be confirmed in the official notification.

Once you cross the age limit, you cannot appear again — even if your earlier attempts were unsuccessful.

That’s why at Alpha, our faculty helps repeaters track age eligibility precisely and plan accordingly.

Educational Qualification for NDA Repeaters

Repeaters must meet the same academic qualifications as fresh applicants.

• For the Army Wing, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 from any recognized board.
• For the Navy and Air Force Wings, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics.

There is no minimum percentage required in Class 10 or 12. NDA eligibility is not based on board marks but on your performance in the written exam and SSB interview.

At Alpha NDA Academy, we have seen students with average academic marks clear the exam by focusing on the right topics, time management, and mock test strategy.

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NDA Eligibility for Female Repeaters

Female candidates have been eligible for NDA since 2021. The rules for repeaters apply equally to both male and female aspirants.

For female repeaters, the conditions are:

• Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years
• Unmarried status at the time of training
• Minimum educational qualification as per wing
• Physically and medically fit as per UPSC norms

Height standards for girls are slightly different. The minimum required height is approximately 152 cm, and medical standards include BMI, vision, and general health requirements.

At Alpha NDA coaching, our female repeater batches include fitness training, SSB personality development, and complete exam support tailored to female aspirants.

Read More: Physical Requirements for NDA for Female Candidates

Physical and Medical Standards for NDA Repeaters

Medical fitness is a critical part of NDA eligibility, especially for repeaters who may have been previously declared unfit.

UPSC requires that all candidates meet physical standards, including:

• Proper weight for height and age
• No flat feet or knock knees
• Normal hearing and dental health
• Vision correction within permissible limits
• No skin disorders, bone issues, or chronic illness

For boys, minimum height is around 157 cm, depending on region. Girls have a slightly lower height requirement.

At Alpha NDA defence academy, we conduct pre-medical checks and guide students on how to improve physical fitness. Repeaters who were earlier rejected due to weight or minor medical conditions often succeed after focused health improvements.

Read More: Physical Requirements for NDA for Male Candidates

Can Repeaters Reapply After Failing SSB?

Yes, repeaters can apply again even if they failed the SSB interview. UPSC does not reject candidates based on past SSB performance.

In fact, many students clear the written exam multiple times but fail in the SSB due to personality or communication issues.

At Alpha NDA Academy, we help repeaters prepare for all SSB tasks — including psychology tests, group discussions, interviews, and GTO tasks. Repeaters are given individual feedback based on past attempts, which greatly improves their chances of clearing SSB.

Is There Any Disadvantage in Being a Repeater?

There is no disadvantage at all in being a repeater. UPSC does not track past attempts, and each exam is treated as fresh.

In reality, repeaters often have an advantage because they:

• Know the exam pattern
• Understand time pressure
• Have seen SSB processes before
• Are more mentally prepared

At Alpha NDA coaching, we’ve seen repeaters perform better than freshers once they receive proper guidance and support.

Mistakes NDA EXAM Repeaters Should Avoid

Repeaters can improve their success rate by avoiding a few common errors:

• Ignoring age limit and missing last attempt
• Not preparing for SSB early enough
• Avoiding physical training, assuming it’s easy
• Depending only on previous notes or guesswork
• Not analyzing what went wrong in the last attempt

We encourage repeaters at Alpha to use a smart study system — with regular revision, personalized strategy, and full test series practice.

Why Alpha NDA Academy is Ideal for Repeaters

At Alpha NDA Academy, we understand repeaters have different needs. That’s why we offer:

• Separate repeater batches
• One-on-one mentor support
• Personal error tracking from past attempts
• Physical training with diet and performance goals
• Dedicated SSB coaching with mock interviews

We’ve helped students who failed twice or more clear NDA with flying colours — simply by giving them a better path.

Final Words on NDA Eligibility for Repeaters

The nda eligibility for repeaters is simple: if you meet the age, education, and medical criteria, you can apply again — regardless of your past results.

There is no limit on attempts, and your past failures are not counted against you.

With the right guidance from Alpha NDA Academy, repeaters can turn their past attempts into learning experiences.

Many of our most successful students are repeaters who didn’t give up after one failure. They came back stronger, focused, and more prepared.

So if you’re still eligible, don’t waste time doubting yourself. Prepare smartly, train honestly, and go for it.

Your next attempt could be the one that changes everything.

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