NDA & NA I and II Exams: Know the Differences in Dates, Eligibility, Vacancies & Cutoff Marks

What is the Difference Between NDA 1 and 2 exams?

NDA 1 and 2 are the two different exam sessions conducted in different months of the year. National Defence Academy inducts cadets in the academy two times a year-January and July. Therefore, UPSC conducts the exam in two sessions. Even the eligibility criteria in terms of age limit for both NDA 1 and 2 are different. The intake of students in both sessions is also different. The cutoff and qualifying marks are different for both sessions. The notification and application forms are released on different dates.

NDA 1 2024 Exam

NDA & NA 1 2024 notification is released for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA for the 153^th course and 114^th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from January 2, 2025. The written exam of NDA 1 is scheduled to be conducted on April 21, 2023.

NDA 2 2024 Exam

NDA & NA 2 2024 is released for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from July 2, 2025. The written exam of NDA 2 exam is scheduled to be conducted on September 1, 2024.

Women in NDA

On August 18, Supreme Court of India passed an interim order allowing women candidates to participate in NDA 1 and 2 exams. The first batch of women candidates appeared for NDA 2 exam in 2021. NDA eligibility criteria as well as the training process for women are the same as their male counterparts.

NDA 1 & 2 Eligibility Criteria

NDA eligibility criteria in terms of age limit, educational qualification, marital status, and physical standards are given below:

Nationality

1) A citizen of India or

2) A subject of Nepal or

3) A subject of Bhutan or

4) A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India or

5) A person originally Indian who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, and East African Countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, and Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India

Provided that a candidate belonging to categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 must be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Indian government. A certificate of eligibility is not required for Gorkha candidates from Nepal.

Age Limit

• For NDA 2, candidates must have born not earlier than January 2, 2002, and not later than January 1, 2005
• For NDA 1, candidates should be born not earlier than July 2, 2003, and not later than July 1, 2006
• Candidates who are appearing in Class 12 can apply provisionally

 Educational Qualification

The Army wing of NDA	Passed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board
The Air Force and Naval wings of NDA and 10 2 Cadet entry scheme at INA	Passed Class 12 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics

Gender, Marital Status & Physical Standards

Only unmarried male and female candidates who are physically fit can apply for NDA exam.

NDA 1 & 2 Notifications

NDA 1 notification is usually released in December. The notification for NDA 2 is released in May. The notification contains details related to the exam such as the number of vacancies, exam dates, exam pattern, syllabus, course name, salary, exam centres, eligibility criteria, medical standards, the process of filling the application form, etc.

NDA 1 & 2 Application Forms

NDA 1 application form is released in December. The application form remains open till January. NDA 2 application form is released in May. Candidates can submit their application forms till June. The application fee is INR 100. However, SC/ST/Women candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from paying the fees.

NDA 1 & 2 Result

NDA 1 result for the written exam is announced by UPSC in June while the final result is declared in December. NDA 2 result for the written exam is announced in November while the final result is announced in May.

NDA 1 & 2 Cutoff & Qualifying Marks

NDA 1 & 2 cutoff and qualifying marks for written exam and final selection for the last three years are given below.

NDA 1 Cutoff Marks for Written Exam

Year	NDA 1 cut off (Out of 900 marks)
2022	360 (With at least 25% marks in each subject)
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)

NDA 1 Cutoff Marks for Final Selection Process

Year	NDA 1 cut off (Out of 1800 marks)
2022	720
2021	709
2020	723
2019	704

NDA 2 Cutoff Marks for Written Exam

Year	NDA 2 cut off (Out of 900 marks)
2020	355 (With at least 25% marks in each subject)
2019	346 (With at least 25% marks in each subject)
2018	325 (With at least 25% marks in each subject)

NDA 2 Cutoff Marks for Final Selection

Year	NDA 2 cut off (Out of 1800 marks)
2020	719
2019	709
2018	688

NDA 1 & 2 Vacancies

NDA 1 and 2 vacancy break-up of last few years are given below.

Year	NDA I	NDA II
2022	400	400
2021	400	400
2020	418	413
2019	415	415
2018	415	383
2017	390	390