UPSC NDA 2025 Selection Process, Written Exam & SSB Interview
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2025 ( NDA )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
NDA Selection Process 2025: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prescribes NDA selection process. The selection process begins with the release of notification and application form wherein both male and female candidates are eligible for the exam. NDA vacancies are announced along with the notification. NDA selection process comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The written exam carries 900 marks and comprises questions from GAT and Maths. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks. Candidates need to clear the written exam of NDA inorder to be eligible for SSB Interview. The final merit list is prepared based on the performance in the written exam and SSB interview. Read below for more details on NDA selection process.
The SSB procedure consists of two stage Selection process- stage I and stage II. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear for stage II. The details are:
(a) Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT
(b) Stage II Comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted
over four days.
The personality of a candidate is assessed by three different assessors viz. The Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist. There are no separate weightage for each test. The mks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate holistically in all the test. In addition, marks for Conference are also allotted based on the initial performance of the Candidate in the three techniques and decision of the Board. All these have equal weightage.
The various tests of IO, GTO and Psych are designed to bring out the presence/absence of Officer Like Qualities and their trainability in a candidate. Accordingly candidates are recommended or not recommended at the SSB.
The step-by-step selection process of NDA exam is explained below:
Filling the Application Form
The application process is completely online. Interested candidates need to apply from the official website. The application fees are INR 100, however, SC/ST candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs were exempted from paying the fees. NDA application form comprises two parts: Part I (Registration) and Part II (Filling the application form).
Release of Admit Card
NDA admit card is released online three weeks before the exam. All registered candidates can download the admit card by logging with either registration number or roll number. The hard copy of the NDA admit card is not sent to candidates by post.
Appearing in Written Exam
The written exam comprises two sections: Mathematics and General Ability Test. The total marks of the written exam are 900. Each paper is held for 2 ½ hours. Total questions asked in GAT are 150 while it is 120 in Mathematics.
Declaration of Result
NDA result is declared in two stages: written and final. The result of both the stages is declared online. The results are made available in PDF format. NDA resultdisplays the roll numbers of qualified candidates. NDA Cutoff is announced after the completion of selection process.
Appearing in SSB Interview
SSB Interview comprises two stages. Stage I comprise Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on the combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT. Stage II comprises Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over four days.
Final Selection
To be acceptable should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in written exam and SSB Interview. Subject to these conditions the qualified candidates will be placed in a single combined list on the basis of total marks secured by them in the written exam and SSB Interview.
- NDA Selection Process: Stages
- Training Process of Girl Cadets in NDA
- NDA Selection Process FAQs
NDA Selection Process: Stages
The selection process of NDA involves the following stages:
- Written Exam
- SSB Interview
NDA Selection Process for Written Exam
The written exam is the first stage of NDA selection Process. NDA exam pattern of the written exam is such that it is divided into two papers-Mathematics and General Ability Test. The duration of the test is 180 minutes and comprises objective-type questions. Candidates securing the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam are called for SSB Interview for Psychological Aptitude Test and Intelligence or Personality test. The structure of the written exam is given below.
| Papers | Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 |
Mathematics |
300 |
2 ½ |
| Paper 2 |
GAT |
600 |
2 ½ |
| Total |
900 |
5 hours |
|
The subject-wise NDA marking scheme is given below.
- For correct answer in the GAT paper, candidates score four marks
- For incorrect answer in the GAT paper, 1.33 marks are deducted as penalty
- In the Maths paper, candidates get 2.5 marks for correct answers
- For wrong answers in the Maths paper, 0.83 marks are deducted
Also Read:
NDA Selection Process for SSB Interview
Candidates in the SSB Interview are assessed on Officers' Potentiality. The stages of SSB Interview are explained below:
- SSB Interview comprises two stages and is held for five days
- Stage I consist of OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) and PP & DT (Picture Perception & Description Test)
- Stage II consist of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests & the Conference
- The complete NDA SSB Interview process will carry 900 marks
Day-Wise SSB Interview
| Days | Events |
|---|---|
| Day 1 |
Picture Perception Test and Description Test |
| Day 2 |
Psychology Tests |
| Day 3 |
Group Testing Officer’s Task |
| Day 4 |
Interview |
| Day 5 |
Conference |
NDA Final Selection Process
The final selection process of NDA is given below:
- For admission to Army, Navy and Air Force of NDA, candidates need to secure NDA cutoff marks separately in the written exam and SSB interview
- For Air Force, candidates should qualify the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS)
- The marks of the NDA SSB interview and written exam are considered for the final selection
- Final selection for respective academies is done as per vacancies subjected to their NDA eligibility, medical fitness, and merit-cum-preference of candidates
Can Girls Join NDA?
In August last year, the Supreme Court of India had passed a historic judgement allowing women candidates to join National Defence Academy. The court had, however, said that admission of women candidates will be subject to the final ruling on the petition. NDA eligibility for women candidates is same as their male counterparts. However, the medical standards for women candidates varies. The age limit for women candidates is between 16.5 to 19.5 years. Candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 can apply for the exam.
Documents Required to SSB Interview
Candidates selected for the interview are required to carry the following documents:
- Original Class 12 passing certificate or equivalent in support of educational qualification
- Certificate of eligibility for a certain category of students
- Category or cast certificate applicable to SC, ST, OBC, etc
- Identity and address proof (Aadhar Card/ Voter ID/ Passport/ Nivaas Pramaan Patra)
Commonly asked questions
Yes, candidates need to secure 20 to 25 per cent in each subject of NDA exam. Besides, candidates need to secure the NDA cut off separately in the written exam and qualifying marks. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900, the GAT section carries 600 marks and Mathematics section carries 300 marks. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks.
No, you cannot apply for NDA exam while studying in Class 11. According to the eligibility criteria, candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 are only eligible to apply NDA exam. The educational qualification prescribed for the Army wing of NDA is that candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 or equivalent exam from a recognised board can apply for the exam. The educational qualification prescribed for Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet entry scheme at INA is that candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics can apply for the exam.
JEE Main rank is not considered for the NDA exam. The NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission UPSC for selection of candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course. JEE Main is a separate exam which is conducted for admission to BE/B.Tech and B.Arch/Plan courses at NITs, IIITs, other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), Institutions/Universities funded/recognised by participating State Governments. Candidates for NDA are selected based on their performance in the written exam and interview. Besides, the physical and medical fitness of candidates are also checked.
Training Process of Girl Cadets in NDA
The girls of the age group 16 ½ to 19 years are eligible to undergo three-year training in NDA. The military training of the girl cadets is conducted in a gender-neutral manner. A total of 1.7 lakh women candidates applied for UPSC NDA 2 exam 2021. Out of these 1002 women candidates had qualified the written exam. The training objective of the girl cadet at NDA continue to remain as centre excellence for producing military leaders equipped with professional, moral and physical attributes with minimum changes to the existing curriculum in training, drill outdoor training, etc. Owing to the physiological differences between male and female cadets, there might be certain changes in the physical training of girl cadets.
Commonly asked questions
The selected candidates are given preliminary training both academic and physical for a period of three years at the National Defence Academy. The training during the first two and half years is common to the cadets of three wings. All the cadets on passing out will be awarded degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi.
The selected candidates of the Naval Academy will be given preliminary training both academic and physical, for a period of three years at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. The cadets of 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme are awarded a B Tech Degree on successful completion of training.
On passing out from the National Defence Academy, Army Cadets go to the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Naval Cadets to Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala and Air Force cadets and Ground Duty-Non Tech streams to Air Force Academy, Hyderabad and Air Force cadets of Ground Duty-Tech stream to Air Force Technical College, Bengaluru.
At the IMA Army Cadets are known as Gentlemen Cadets and are given strenuous military training for a period of one year. On successful completion of training, Gentlemen Cadets are granted Permanent Commission in the rank of Lt.
The Naval cadets are selected for the Executive Branch of the Navy. On passing out from the National Defence Academy and are given further training at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala for a period of one year. On successful completion, they are promoted to the rank of Sub Lieutenants.
Air Force Cadets are given flying training for a period of 1½ years. However, at the end of one year of training, they are given provisional Commission in the rank of Flying Officer. After successful completion of further training of six months, they are granted permanent commissioned officers post.
NDA is the joint training institute for all three services-Army, Navy and Air Force. After joining the NDA cadet undergo training for three years. After graduating from NDA candidates are sent to their respective training academies for one year of training before commissioning. Army cadets are sent to the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), naval cadets to the Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), and Air Force cadets to the Air Force Academy (Dundigal, Hyderabad).
Around two to three Lacs candidates apply for NDA exam. The written exam of NDA is cleared by around 8000 to 10,000 candidates. Such candidates are called for SSB interview. The pass percentage in SSB interview is around 10 to 15 per cent. Many students are rejected on medical ground as well. After the medicals, a merit list is prepared which features around 580 to 650 candidates. First 350 to 380 candidates are invited for admission to NDA and INAC. Some candidates do not join and some are not able to cope up with the tough training process. NDA selection process is bit tough therefore it takes about six months preparation to crack the exam.
NDA Selection Process FAQs
Candidates can check below the FAQs related to NDA selection process.
Commonly asked questions
There are negative marks for wrong answers, 1/3 of the marks allotted to each question are deducted for the incorrect answer. There is no deduction in marks for unanswered questions. The marking scheme of NDA is given below. GAT For correct answer, four marks are awarded while 1.33 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Maths For correct answer, 2.5 marks are awarded while 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answers. The marks of candidates are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers. The marking scheme of NDA exam is given below:
Sections | Marks for correct answer | NDA Negative Marking |
GAT | 4 | 1.33 |
Mathematics | 2.5 | 0.83 |
NDA Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
NDA 1 application form 2026 will be made available on December 10, 2025. The last date to fill the application form is December 30, 2025. NDA 2 application form will be released on May 20, 2026. The last date for online registration is June 8, 2026.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
NDA 2026 exam dates have been announced. NDA 1 2026 exam will be held on April 12, 2026. The exam for NDA II 2026 will be held on September 13, 2026.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
NDA apply online link is acrivated on the official website of the exam conducting body. However, we will provide the direct link to register online for the exam. Only online applications are accepted for the exam.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
NDA 1 application form 2026 will be released on December 10, 2025. Interested candidates can fill the application form till December 30, 2025. The NDA 2 online form will be released on May 20, 2026. The last date to fill the application form is June 8, 2026.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
CSIR NET 2025 Dec Application 25 Sep '25 - 24 Oct '25
When NDA application form 2026 will be released?