Eligibility Criteria for Reservation Benefits in NDA Exam

The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is a highly prestigious examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for admission into the NDA, which is a training academy for the Indian Armed Forces. As per the guidelines set by the government, certain reservation benefits are provided to candidates belonging to specific categories. The eligibility criteria for candidates seeking reservation benefits in the NDA exam are as follows:

1. Category:
- The reservation benefits are applicable to candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

2. SC/ST Candidates:
- Candidates belonging to the SC/ST category are eligible for reservation benefits as per the government norms.
- They must produce valid documentary proof of their caste certificate issued by a competent authority.
- The certificate should clearly mention the candidate's caste, sub-caste, and the fact that they do not belong to the creamy layer.

3. OBC Candidates:
- OBC candidates are also eligible for reservation benefits, but they must fulfill certain criteria.
- They must produce a valid non-creamy layer certificate issued by a competent authority.
- The certificate should be issued within the stipulated time frame and should not be more than one year old from the date of the NDA exam.

4. Age Limit:
- The age limit for candidates seeking reservation benefits is the same as that for general category candidates, i.e., they must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years of age.
- Age relaxation is provided to SC/ST candidates as per government regulations.

5. Educational Qualifications:
- The educational qualifications required for candidates seeking reservation benefits are the same as those for general category candidates.
- They must have passed the 10+2 examination or its equivalent from a recognized board or university.

6. Physical Fitness:
- Candidates belonging to reserved categories must also meet the physical fitness criteria set by the NDA.
- They must be medically fit as per the standards prescribed by the Armed Forces Medical Services.

It is important for candidates seeking reservation benefits to carefully review the eligibility criteria and ensure that they meet all the necessary requirements. They should also keep themselves updated with any changes or modifications made by the UPSC or the government regarding reservation policies for the NDA exam.