NDA merit list 2023 will be prepared by UPSC based on the written exam and SSB interview. Besides, other factors such as eligibility, medical fitness, and merit-cum-preference of the candidates are also taken into consideration.
NDA Merit List
NDA Merit List: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) releases NDA merit list along with the declaration of the result. NDA merit list is prepared based on written exam and SSB interview. To be acceptable in NDA merit list, candidates for the Army/Navy/Naval Academy and Air Force should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in NDA written exam as decided by UPSC and Officer Potentiality Test (SSB Interview) fixed by the Service Selection Board (SSB). Candidates are placed in a single combined NDA merit list on the basis of the total marks secured by them in the written exam and SSB tests. In this article, we have explained about NDA merit list 2023.
- NDA & NA Merit List 2023
- How to Download NDA Merit List 2023?
- NDA Marking Scheme
- NDA Merit List 2023: Tie-Breaking Policy
- NDA Merit List 2023: Previous Years’ Cutoff
NDA & NA Merit List 2023
NDA & NA merit list is prepared based on the performance of candidates in the written exam and SSB interview. NDA merit list is released in PDF form and comprises the names and roll numbers of qualified candidates. Those whose names and roll numbers feature in the NDA merit list are considered for final allocation/selection for admission to the Army, Navy, Air Force of the National Defence Academy and 10 2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy.
Commonly asked questions
NDA 2024 exam dates have been announced by UPSC. NDA 1 2024 exam was conducted on April 21, 2024. NDA 2 2024 exam was conducted on September 1, 2024. NDA 1 2024 exam was conducted to select candidates for January 2025 session and NDA 2 2024 exam was conducted for admission to the courses beginning at NDA & NA in July 2025. NDA exam comprises two papers-Maths and GAT. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The SSB interview carries 900 marks. Candidates qualifying the written exam of NDA are called for SSB interview. Candidates are required to secure 25 per cent in each subject to qualify the exam. The final selection of candidates is done based on the performance in the written exam and SSB interview.
NDA 1 2024 notification was released on December 20, 2023. The notification was released on the official website in PDF form. NDA 1 2024 notification was released to select candidates for admission to the courses beginning at National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy in January 2025. NDA notification PDF comprises details related to the exam such as application process, eligibility, dates, vacancies, etc. Selection of candidates for NDA exam is done based on the written exam and SSB interview. Candidates are advised to read the notification carefully before applying to the exam.
NDA exam is conducted across multiple test centres in more than 70 cities. The exam is conducted in two shifts-morning and afternoon. Candidates are required to appear in both shifts. The details regarding the NDA exam centre are mentioned on the admit card. There is a ceiling on the number of candidates allotted to each of the centres except Chennai, Dispur, Kolkata and Nagpur. Allotment of NDA centres is done on the first-apply-firstallot basis and once the capacity of a particular centre is attained, the same is frozen. Applicants who cannot get a centre of their choice due to ceiling, are required to choose a NDA exam centre from the remaining ones. Applicants should apply early so that they get their preferred exam centre.
The SSB Interview is conducted for 5 days and is almost the same for the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces. The SSB Interview is conducted in two phases.
- Phase I- Screening
- Phase 2- Psychological Tests, Group Tests, Interviews, and board conference
Candidates need to report on time at the centre they chose while filling out the application, or the centres allotted to them. The reporting time of the candidates, centre and other details are mentioned in their SSB Call letter. Candidates need to carry the required document for appearing in SSB interview.
NDA merit list is prepared taking into consideration the eligibility, medical fitness, and merit-cum-preference of the candidates. The candidates who are eligible to be admitted to multiple services/courses will be considered for allocation/selection with reference to their order or preferences and in the event of their final allocation/selection to one Service/Course, they will not be considered for admission to other remaining services/courses.
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
20 May '26
31 May '26
9 Jun '26
7 Apr '26 - 21 Jun '26
21 Jun '26
19 Jul '26
22 Aug '26 - 23 Aug '26
31 Jul '26 - 30 Sep '26
30 Sep '26
6 Oct '26 - 5 Nov '26
How to Download NDA Merit List 2023?
The steps to download NDA Merit List are given below:
- Visit the official website of UPSC
- Click the link-‘NDA Final Result 2023’
- A PDF will open that comprises the roll numbers of qualified candidates
- Download NDA merit list and save the PDF
NDA Marking Scheme
The marking scheme of NDA is given below:
- In General Ability Test (GAT), candidates get four marks for correct answers
- In the Mathematics section, for correct answers candidates score 2.5 marks
- For wrong answers in NDA, 0.33 marks are deducted
NDA Merit List 2023: Tie-Breaking Policy
When two or more candidates secure equal aggregate marks in NDA exam, the ties are resolved as per age. This means candidates older in age are given preference. The tie-breaking policy is given below:
- In case of equal marks in aggregate, the candidate senior in age may be placed at higher rank and
- In case of the candidates having the same age and same aggregate marks, the candidate getting a higher aggregate score in written papers may be placed at a higher rank
NDA Merit List 2023: Previous Years’ Cutoff
NDA previous years' cut-off marks for the merit list are given below.
Written Exam
| Year | NDA 1 cut-off (Out of 900 marks) |
|---|---|
| 2021 |
343 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) |
| 2020 |
355 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) |
| 2019 |
342 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) |
Final Selection
| Year | NDA 2 cut-off (Out of 900 marks) |
|---|---|
| 2021 |
355 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) |
| 2020 |
355 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) |
| 2019 |
346 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) |
Read More:
Commonly asked questions
Few exam day guidelines for NDA exam are given below:
The entry gate closes 10 minutes before the exam begins
For the morning session, the entry closes at 9.50 am while for the afternoon session, the entry closes at 1.50 pm
Candidates need to preserve their admit cards till the exam day
Mobile phones, calculators, or any other electronic devices are banned inside the exam centre
Candidates should bring a black point
Candidates whose photograph is not clearly printed on NDA admit card should bring photo-identity proof and three passport-sized photographs
NDA 2 2025 exam will be conducted on September 14, 2025. NDA 2 2025 notification will be released on May 28, 2025. The application form will be available till June 17, 2025. NDA 2 notification 2025 will be released to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Courses beginning in July 2025.
News & Updates
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 weeks ago
To know the specific venue in Vijayawada, candidate need to check the admit card released by the UPSC. It has been allotted via first-come, first-served basis during the filling out of the application form.
I
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 3 weeks ago
The NDA 1 2026 notification was released by the UPSC on December 10 at upsc.gov.in. Along with the notification, the application process started. The last date to apply was December 30, 2025.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 weeks ago
The UPSC conducted the NDA 1 exam on April 12, 2026. The official provisional answer key released on the official portal at upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download the answer key PDF for all sets from this page as well.
C
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The NDA 1 admit card was released at upsc.gov.in. Candidates can download their e-hall ticket. The NDA 1 exam is scheduled to be conducted on April 12, 2026.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The Commission will release the NDA 2 notification 2026 on the official portal at upsc.gov.in. It will be issued on May 20, 2026. The last date to apply for NDA 2 will be June 9, 2026.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The Commission released the NDA 1 notification 2026 on December 10. Along with the notification, the application process was started. The last date to fill the application form online was December 30.
K
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The Mathematics syllabus of NDA written exam consists of Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Statistics and Probability that is all base on 10+2 level.
G
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
The NDA final merit list is prepared based on the cumulative marks of both written exam (900) and SSB interview (900) which totals at 1800 marks.
N
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
In the written exam of NDA, Maths paper has 120 questions and the General Ability Test has 150 questions. Therefore, total questions asked are 270.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The total marks for the NDA exam is 1800 that is 900 for written exam and 900 for SSB interview. A score between 400 to 500 is considered secure in the written exam to get into the final merit list. Also, candidates need to pass in each subject minimum of 25% marks. There is no sectional-cut off.
S
Contributor-Level 7