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 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 for written exam comprises two papers-Maths and GAT. Total marks allotted to this paper are 900. Candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject as qualifying marks. Besides, candidates need to clear the cut off marks fixed by UPSC for written exam. Based on the performance in the written exam, candidates are selected for SSB interview.
- Training Process of Girl Cadets in NDA
- NDA Selection Process FAQs
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
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 5 days ago
The NDA application form for 2026 will be released on December 10, 2025. Here's a summary of the key dates ¹ ²:
- *NDA 1 Application Form:*
- Release Date: December 10, 2025
- Last Date to Apply: December 30, 2025
- Exam Date: April 12, 2026
- *NDA 2 Application Form:*
- Release Date:
Y
Beginner-Level 1
Answered a month 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 a month 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 2 months 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
LIC AAO Mains Admit Card 31 Oct '25 - 8 Nov '25
When NDA application form 2026 will be released?