What is the cutoff for the NDA exam?
The cutoff for the NDA exam refers to the minimum marks required by candidates to qualify for the next stage of the National Defence Academy (NDA) selection process. The NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy.
The NDA examination is one of the most prestigious defence entrance exams in India. Candidates who clear the written exam and Services Selection Board (SSB) interview can join the Indian Armed Forces as officer trainees.
The NDA cutoff changes every year depending on:
Difficulty level of the exam
Number of vacancies
Total candidates appearing
Overall performance of candidates
The NDA written examination consists of two papers:
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 300 |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 600 |
Total Marks = 900
After clearing the written examination, candidates appear for the SSB Interview, which carries:
SSB Marks = 900
Final Merit Total = 1800 Marks
The NDA written cutoff generally ranges between:
NDA Written Cutoff = 340 to 370 marks out of 900
Candidates must also secure minimum qualifying marks separately in:
Mathematics
General Ability Test (GAT)
The exact cutoff varies in every session.
| Year | Written Cutoff | Final Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| NDA 2024 | Around 355 | Around 720 |
| NDA 2023 | Around 301–360 | Around 664–742 |
| NDA 2022 | Around 355 | Around 726 |
These values are approximate and may vary according to official UPSC notifications.
Candidates generally need:
Around 25% marks in each subject
Overall cutoff marks decided by UPSC
If a candidate scores high overall but fails to secure minimum marks in Mathematics or GAT, they may not qualify.
Several factors influence the NDA cutoff every year:
A difficult paper usually leads to a lower cutoff.
More vacancies may slightly reduce competition.
Higher competition may increase the cutoff.
Overall scoring trends affect final qualifying marks.
After qualifying the written exam, candidates must clear the SSB Interview, which tests:
Leadership qualities
Communication skills
Psychological fitness
Decision-making ability
Physical and mental strength
The final merit list is prepared based on:
Final Score = Written Exam Marks + SSB Interview Marks
Candidates preparing for NDA should focus on:
Strong Mathematics concepts
English grammar and vocabulary
General Knowledge and current affairs
Time management
Regular mock tests
Previous year question papers
The NDA exam is important because it offers:
Opportunity to join Indian Armed Forces
Officer-level career
Leadership training
Respect and discipline
National service opportunities
Candidates aiming to clear the NDA cutoff should maintain consistency in preparation and focus equally on written examination and personality development for the SSB interview.