NDA age limit: how many NDA sittings you have left
NDA has a short window. It's held twice a year, and each notice only takes a narrow range of birth dates.
Your numbers
Common answers are filled in. Change the ones you know.
Leave it at 0 for the usual limit. For central exams, put in the General limit and we add your category's years. For a state PSC, put in the limit for your category.
It only changes the order on your statement.
What waiting costs you
5 sittings left
5 NDA sittings left
You can sit twice a year until you turn 19½. 1 sitting passed while you waited.
Your small stepDownload last year's question paper this week and try one section, just to see where you stand.
How we worked this out
- Who can sit: from age 16½ until you turn 19½.
- Sittings by age: twice a year from 17 until 19½ = 5.
- No limit on attempts for this category.
- This exam gives no extra years by category.
- Age is counted on a cut-off date in each notice, so this can be off by one. Check the official notice for your year.
- How much it matters to you: 7 out of 10. It only changes the order on your statement.
Sources
- UPSC NDA notice, via SSBCrack (2025): NDA is held twice a year. Each notice gives a window of birth dates, which works out to about 16½ to 19½ years old.
How it works
NDA is held twice a year, so every half year is one sitting.
Each notice gives a window of birth dates. It works out to about 16½ to 19½ years old.
There are no extra years by category. You also need to have passed Class 12, or be in Class 12 when you apply.
Sources
- UPSC NDA notice, via SSBCrack (2025): UPSC gives birth dates, not ages. We worked out the ages from the dates, so check yours against the notice.
Rules last checked: October 2026. They can change at any time, so check the official page before you plan anything.
Questions people ask
Why does my count use halves?
Because there are two sittings a year, each half year is one chance. Put in your age with a half if you're past your half birthday.
Where are the exact dates?
In each NDA notice on the UPSC website. Check your birth date against the window for the sitting you want.
Putting off more than one thing?
Pick up to five and get your Delay Statement: what to do first, what can wait, and one small step for today.
We show what waiting costs on your own plans. We never tell you what to buy or invest in. Rules and averages change, so check the official pages before you plan anything.