How to Apply for NDA 2025 | NDA Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility & More
We pleased to inform you about NDA Exam, NDA Online Application 2025 , NDA 2025 Admit Card, NDA 2025 Results is out, NDA 2025 Recruitment, NDA 2025 Exam Date, NDA & NA (I) 2025 Exam | Application, NDA & NA 2 2025 Exam | Application, NDA 2025 Syllabus, NDA 2025 Preparation Tips, NDA Question Papers 2025 , NDA Exam 2025 Centres & NDA 2025 Eligibility can be seen on this Educative Page.
NDA 2025
Every year, the NDA exam is divided into two parts. UPSC has published the NDA 2025 exam dates. The NDA 1 2025 exam will be held in January 2025 for admission to the courses. The NDA 2 2025 exam will be held for admission to courses beginning in July 2025.
What are NDA & NA 1 and 2 Exam
The Union Public Service Commission holds the National Defence Academy or NDA exam twice a year for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA, as well as the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). It is the most coveted defence entrance exam in the country, and both male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
The exam is divided into two parts: the written exam and the SSB interview. In 2020, a total of 5.3 lakh students applied for the exam, with 2.4 lakh participants taking the exam. The UPSC compiles a list of candidates who achieve the minimum qualifying marks in the written examination. These candidates are invited to the SSB Interview for the Intelligence and Personality Test.
NDA & NA (I) 2025
On December 21, 2022, the NDA 1 2025 notification was made public. Applications will be accepted online until January 10, 2025 . The announcement was issued for admission to the NDA’s Army, Navy, and Air Force wings for the 148th Course, as well as the 110th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC), beginning in January 2025.
NDA & NA 2 2025
NDA 2 2025 will be available in May of 2025 . Applications will be accepted online until June 2025 . The notification will be issued for admission to the NDA’s Army, Navy, and Air Force wings for the 147th Course, as well as the 109th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC), beginning in June 2025.
What is the difference between UPSC NDA 1 and NDA 2?
There is no difference between UPSC NDA 1 and 2 exams. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to January batch. Whereas, NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to July batch.
NDA 2025 Exam HighlightsÂ
The details regarding the NDA exam are summarized below.
| Exam Particulars | Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) |
| Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Frequency | Two times a year (April & September) |
| Mode of Exam | Offline |
| Exam Stages | Written exam and SSB Interview |
| Total Registrations | 5.3 lakh (As per 2020 data) |
| Total Test Takers | 2.4 lakh (As per 2020 data) |
| Exam Purpose | For admission to National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) |
| Exam Fees | INR 100 for male candidates belonging to the General and OBC categories. However, SC/ST/Women candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from paying the fees. |
| Exam Duration | GAT: 2 ½ hours Mathematics: 2 ½ hours |
| No. of Papers and Total Marks | Paper 1: GAT Paper 2: Maths |
| Total Questions | GAT: 150 Mathematics: 120 |
| Marking Scheme | GAT: Four marks for correct answers and 1.33 marks for wrong answers Maths: 2.5 marks for correct answers and 0.83 mark for wrong answers |
| Total Marks | Written Exam: 900 SSB Interview: 900 |
| Language/Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| No. of Test Cities | More than 70 test cities |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Contact Details | 011-23385271/011-23381125/011- 23098543 |
NDA 2025 Online Application FormÂ
The window to fill NDA application form 2025 and pay the application fee online has been extended till January 12. Earlier, the last date to fill out the application form was January 10. Interested candidates are required to fill NDA application form online. The application fee is INR 100 for General/OBC candidates while SC/ST/Sons of JCOs, NCOs, ORs are exempted from fee payment.
How to Apply Online for NDA Exam
- Visit the official website of UPSC
- Register online by filling the Part I of the application
- Log in with the registration number to fill out Part II of the application form
- Fill in all the details in the Part II application form
- Submit the fees and take a printout of the application form
NDA Application Fees
The category-wise fee break-up is given below.
| Category | Fees (In INR) |
|---|---|
| General/OBC | 100 |
| SC/ST/Sons of JCOs, NCOs, ORs | Nil |
NDA (1) & (2) 2025 Application DatesÂ
UPSC has announced NDA 1 & 2 2025 exam dates on May 5. According to the UPSC calendar 2025 , NDA 1 2025 exam will be conducted on April 16. The application form for NDA 1 2025 has been opened on December 21, 2022. NDA 2 2025 will be conducted on September 3. The application form for NDA 2 2025 will begin on May 17, 2025 . NDA 1 & 2 2025 dates have been announced by UPSC one year in advance so that candidates can begin their preparations early. Candidates can check below the complete schedule of NDA 1 & 2 exams..
Important Dates For NDA 2 Online Exam 2025
The online application for the NDA 2 2025 online Exam has been initiated from 28 May 2025 on the official UPSC website. And, the last date to submit the application form for the NDA written exam up to 17 June 2025. Also, the Exam date for the National Defence Academy posts has already been announced. As per the calendar, the exam will be held on 14 September 2025, and the admit card will be released on 04 September 2025. For further details about the exam-related events, candidates can refer to the table given below
| Important Dates For NDA 2 2025 Online Exam | |
| Notification Release Date | 28 May 2025 |
| Online Application Begins | 28 May 2025 |
| Last Date To Apply | 17 June 2025 |
| Admit Card | 04 September 2025 |
| Exam Date | 14 September 2025 |
NDA Notification 2025
NDA 1 notification 2025 will be released on December 20, 2023. NDA 2 notification 2025 will be released on May 15, 2025. The notification will be released on the official website-upsc.gov.in. NDA notifications for both the exams will be released in PDF form and comprises the details related to the exam such as important dates, selection process, how to fill the application form, salary structure, eligibility, etc.
NDA Application Form 2025
NDA 1 application form 2025 will be available from December 20, 2023 to January 9, 2025. NDA 2 application form 2025 will be available from May 15 to June 4, 2025. Candidates need to fill NDA application form 2025 online. The application fee is 100 whereas SC/ ST/ NCOs/ Sons of JCOs/ ORS categories are exempted free fee payment. The application fee can be paid both online and offline.The steps to fill the NDA application form are given below:
- Visit the official website of UPSC
- New users need to complete the OTR Process
- The registered users can directly fill NDA application form 2025
- Registration comprises two parts i.e. Part I & Part II
- Part I includes candidate’s registration, choosing the preferred branch, verifying details and generation of registration ID
- In Part II, candidates need to pay the application fees, select the exam centre, upload scanned images of photographs and signatures
- After filling both the parts successfully, candidates can submit the NDA application form
- Candidates should take the printout of NDA application form and fee transaction receipt
NDA 2 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates who wish to appear for the NDA 2 2025 exam need to be aware of the NDA eligibility criteria. The Age limit for the NDA exam is 16.5 years to 19.5 years. The Minimum Educational Qualification for the NDA exam is a 12th pass. Candidates can refer to the NDA 2 Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria table provided below to gain more clarity.
| Eligibility Criteria For NDA 2 Notification 2025 | |
| Criteria | Details |
| Education Qualificaiton | Army: 12th grade; Air Force/Naval: 12th with Physics & Math (appearing allowed) |
| Age Limit | 16.5 to 19.5 years (born 2 July, 2006 to 1 July 2009) |
| Nationality | Unmarried citizens of India, Bhutan, Nepal, or specific refugees |
| Physical Standards | Run 2.4 km in 15 min; meet push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups, and rope climbing standards |
NDA Nationality
Candidates must be Indian citizen/ subject of Nepal/ subject of Bhutan/ refugee of Tibetan who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention to settle permanently in India.
Candidates who have migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and east African countries of Zambia, Tanzania, Zaire, Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda or Vietnam with an intention of settlement in India can also apply.
Foreign nationals (except Gorkhas) will be required to produce a certificate of eligibility which is issued by Govt. of India
NDA Age Limit
NDA age limit is 16.5 to 19.5 years. NDA 1 2025 age limit is that only unmarried male/female candidates born not earlier than July 2, 2004 and not later than July 1, 2007 can apply for the exam. For NDA 2 2025, candidates must have born not earlier than January 2, 2005 and not later than January 1, 2008 are eligible for the exam.
NDA Educational Qualification
Candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 can apply for the NDA 2025 exam. Candidates applying for Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy of National Defence Academy should study Physics, Chemistry and Maths in Class 12.
Gender & Marital Status
Both male and female candidates can apply for NDA 2025 exam. Candidates are not allowed to marry until they complete their training period
NDA Physical Standards
Candidates must be physically fit to be eligible for the exam
NDA Admit Card 2025
NDA admit card 2025 will be released online three weeks before the exam. The link to download the admit card is made available on the official website-upsc.gov.in. To download the admit card using roll number, candidates must enter registration number, date of birth, and random image. To download NDA admit card using registration number, candidates need to enter roll number, date of birth, and random image. The hard copy of the admit card is not sent to candidates by post. NDA admit card comprises details such as candidate’s name, roll number, date of birth, scanned photograph and signature, exam timings, exam date, reporting time, etc. Along with the printed copy of the admit card, candidates need to carry one valid photo-identity proof to the exam centre.
NDA Exam Pattern 2025
NDA exam pattern highlights the overall structure of the exam. It is divided into written exam and SSB interview. The details regarding NDA exam pattern is shared below:
NDA Exam Pattern for Written Exam
NDA exam pattern for the written exam is divided into two papers-Maths and GAT. Both papers carry objective-type multiple-choice questions. The Maths paper carries 120 questions of 300 marks. The GAT paper carries 150 questions for 600 marks. The duration of each paper is 2 ½ hours.
NDA Exam Pattern for SSB Interview
The SSB interview comprises two stages. The Stage 1 of SSB interview comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage 2 comprises Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. The SSB interview carries 900 marks.
NDA Syllabus 2025
NDA syllabus is prescribed by UPSC. It outlines the topics that candidates need to prepare for the exam. The syllabus comprises the topics and sub-topics under GAT and Maths. NDA syllabus is given below:
Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.
GAT: The GAT syllabus of NDA is divided into two parts. Part A comprises questions from English, while Part B carries questions from General Knowledge. Questions in English part are asked from Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. Questions in General Knowledge are asked from Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.
NDA Preparations Tips 2025
The tips and tricks to prepare for NDA 2025 exam are given below:
- Candidates should write down all important formulae, dates, names, equations, etc. as it helps in last-minute revision
- Candidates must solve previous years’ question papers to get a clear idea about the weightage given to each topic
- Candidates should try giving more time to solve difficult topics
- It is important to attempt mock test to improve speed and accuracy
- Candidates need to clear their concepts of the topics given in the syllabus
- Candidates must refer to the best books for NDA preparation
NDA 2025 ResultÂ
NDA 1 result 2025 Â for the written exam will be announced in May 2025 . NDA 2 result 2025 will be announced in September 2025 . NDA 2025 results will be made available in PDF form and it will contain the roll numbers of qualified candidates. The mark sheet of candidates is released after the declaration of the final result.
NDA Toppers
Candidates can click below the links to check the interviews given by NDA toppers to Shiksha on how to prepare for the exam.
| Interviews of NDA Toppers | |
|---|---|
| NDA 2019 Topper Interview, Piyush Thorve, (AIR 16) | NDA Exam 2018 Topper, Interview Sparsh Kankane, (AIR 1) |
NDA 2025 CutoffÂ
NDA cutoff for the written exam and final selection is released after the declaration of the final result. The cutoff for the written exam is calculated out of 900. The final cutoff is calculated based on the marks secured by the last recommended candidates out of 1800 marks (900 marks for the written exam and 900 marks for the SSB Interview). The qualifying NDA cutoff marks prescribed for each subject are 25 per cent. Candidates are required to qualify for the exam by securing separate cutoff marks in the written exam and SSB Interview. Candidates can check below the previous years’ NDA 1 & NDA 2 cut-off marks.
| Paper | Written Exam | Final Exam |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 (1) | 343 | 709 |
| 2020 (2) | 355 | 719 |
| 2020 (1) | 355 | 726 |
| 2019 (2) | 346 | 709 |
| 2019 (1) | 342 | 704 |
| 2018 (2) | 325 | 688 |
| 2018 (1) | 338 | 705 |
| 2017 (2) | 258 | 624 |
| 2017 (1) | 342 | 708 |
NDA Exam Statistics: Registration vs Number of Appeared Candidates
| Exam Sessions | Number of Registered Candidates | Number of Appeared Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| NDA/NA (I) & (II) Exam 2020 | 5,301,85 | 2,404,45 |
| NDA/NA (I) Exam 2018 | 4,506,41 | 2,946,88 |
| NDA/NA (II) Exam 2018 | 3,487,85 | 2,405,76 |
| NDA/NA (I) Exam 2017 | 4,169,61 | 2,680,12 |
| NDA/NA (II) Exam 2017 | 3,442,02 | 2,321,20 |
NDA VacancyÂ
NDA 1 Vacancy 2025
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| NDA | Army | 208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
| Navy | 42 (including 03 for female candidates) | |
| Air Force | (i) Flying – 92 (including 02 for female candidates) (ii) Ground Duties (Tech) – 18 (including 02 for female candidates) (iii) Ground Duties (Non Tech) – 10 (including 02 for female candidates) | |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | – | 25 (for male candidates only) |
| Total | 395 |
NDA Previous Year Vacancy
NDA previous year’s vacancy is given below. Candidates can check the vacancy break-up to know the number of seats filled in NDA.
| Year | NDA 1 | NDA 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 400 | 400 |
| 2020 | 418 | 413 |
| 2019 | 415 | 415 |
| 2018 | 415 | 383 |
| 2017 | 390 | 390 |
 NDA Salary
The NDA salary structure is given below.
| Rank | Level | Grade Pay (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | Level 10 | 56,100-1,77,500 |
| Captain | Level 10 B | 6,13,00-1,93,900 |
| Major | Level 11 | 6,94,00-2,07,200 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Level 12A | 1,21,200-2,12400 |
| Colonel | Level 13 | 1,30,600-2,15,900 |
| Brigadier | Level 13A | 1,39,600-2,17,600 |
| Major General | Level 14 | 1,44,200-2,18,200 |
| Lieutenant General HAG Scale | Level 15 | 1, 82, 200-2,24,100 |
| HAG+Scale | Level 16 | 2,05,400-2,24,400 |
| VCOAS/Army Cdr/ Lieutenant General (NFSG) | Level 17 | 2,25,000 (fixed) |
| COAS | Level 18 | 2,50,000 (fixed) |
Details of Military Service Pay (MSP): Officers in the rank of Lieutenant to Brigadier are entitled to a Military Service Pay(MSP) of INR 15,500 per month (fixed).