Prepare for a career in the Indian Armed Forces through the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) exam conducted by UPSC. This brochure provides all essential details including eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, cut-off marks, and important dates.
The NDA exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force wings. Candidates undergo a written examination, followed by an SSB Interview and medical examination.
Unmarried male and female candidates are eligible.
| Wing | Qualification Requirement |
|---|---|
| Army Wing | Passed 10+2 (any stream) |
| Navy & Air Force | Passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics |
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer | 45 | 60 | 60 mins |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 mins |
| English | 35 | 40 | 40 mins |
| Data Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 mins |
| Descriptive Test (Essay + Letter) | 2 | 25 | 30 mins |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 28 May 2025 |
| Online Application Begins | 28 May 2025 |
| Application Deadline | 17 June 2025 |
| Exam Date | 14 September 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | 3 Weeks Before Exam |
| Result Declaration | October 2025 (Expected) |
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 300 | 2.5 hrs |
| Paper II | General Ability Test | 600 | 2.5 hrs |
| Total | 900 | 5 hrs |
Negative Marking: ¼ mark deduction for every incorrect answer.
| Year | Written Exam Cut-off (900) | Final Cut-off (With SSB, out of 1800) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 355 | 720 |
| 2023 | 350 | 709 |
| 2024 | 340 (expected) | 710 (expected) |
| 2025 | ~345–355 (expected) | ~715–725 (expected) |
Minimum 25% in each paper is mandatory to qualify.