UPSC NDA 2025 - Exam Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, Notification, Result

UPSC NDA 2025 - Exam Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, Notification, Result

Edited By Meghana Mohana Krishnan | Updated on Nov 14, 2024 10:05 AM IST | #NDA

The Union Public Services Commission will release the NDA 1 2025 notification on December 11, 2024 on their official website. The UPSC NDA application form will also be released on the same day at upsconline.nic.in. Before applying for the UPSC NDA 2025 exam, it is important for candidates to know the details about the exam.

The UPSC NDA 2025 exam is conducted to select candidates for the National Defence academy and Indian Naval Academy. The academies train men and women to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Candidates can know about the NDA 2025 exam, including details about application form, syllabus, exam pattern and much more in the article below.

NDA 2025 - What is an NDA?

National Defence Academy, or NDA is a joint defence service training academy which trains cadets for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. NDA is the world's first tri service academy. After getting trained, the cadets go into their respective specialised training before becoming officers. The academy is located in Pune and selects candidates based on an exam. The motto of the academy is ‘Service before Self’.

NDA 2025 Exam Dates

Candidates can find the NDA 2025 Exam Dates in the table below. UPSC will release the NDA exam dates in the UPSC exam calendar 2025. Candidates are encouraged to watch this space as important NDA dates will be updated here when they are released.

Events

NDA 1 Exam Dates 2025

NDA 2 Exam Dates 2025

NDA exam 2025 notification

December 11, 2024

May 28, 2025

NDA 1 2025 application form date

December 11, 2024

May 28, 2025

NDA application form 2025 last date

December 31, 2024

June 17, 2025

Last date of fee payment online

TBA

TBA

Last date of offline fee payment

TBA

TBA

UPSC NDA application form correction window

TBA

TBA

Admit Card

TBA

TBA

UPSC NDA 2025 Exam date

April 13, 2025

September 14, 2025

UPSC NDA result for written test

TBA

TBA

Final NDA result 2025

TBA

TBA

NDA 2025 Eligibility Criteria

NDA will prescribe the NDA 2025 eligibility criteria online on their official website Candidates who wish to attempt the exam must ensure that they meet the NDA eligibility criteria before applying. Candidates who are found to not meet the UPSC NDA eligibility criteria at later stages run the risk of having their candidature revoked.

UPSC prescribes the UPSC NDA eligibility criteria 2025 based on factors such as the Candidate’s age, measurements and educational background. Initially, only male candidates were eligible to attempt the NDA exam, but after a Supreme court ruling in 2021, Female candidates are also eligible to attempt the exam. Candidates can find out more about the NDA eligibility criteria 2025 in the table below.

Particulars

Details

NDA age limit

Candidates must be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5

NDA Educational Qualification

  • Army wing- Class 12/HSC in any stream

  • Air Force/ Indian Naval Academy- Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics

Physical Measurement

  • For Army, Navy and Naval Academy - 157 cm (minimum)

  • For Air Force - 162.5 cm (minimum)

NDA Application Form 2025

UPSC will release the UPSC NDA 2025 application form online on the official website. Candidates must fill out the application form of NDA 2025 within the stipulated time period. After the UPSC NDA application form is closed, UPSC will activate the NDA application form correction window for a little while. Additionally, the Commission provides candidates with the facility to withdraw their NDA 2025 application forms.

How to apply for NDA 2025?

Candidates can follow the steps below to fill out the NDA application form 2025.

  • Visit the UPSC website- upsc.gov.in

  • Complete the OTR process.

  • Login using your credentials.

  • Fill out the UPSC NDA application form as prompted.

  • Upload all the necessary documents.

  • Pay the NDA application fee.

  • Submit the NDA 2025 application form.

NDA 2025 Syllabus

The detailed NDA syllabus 2025 will be given in the official notification. Candidates can refer to the UPSC NDA syllabus before starting their preparation. The UPSC NDA 2025 exam syllabus is divided into 2 main sections -

NDA Mathematics Syllabus 2025 -

  • Algebra.

  • Matrices and determinants.

  • Trigonometry.

  • Analytical geometry of two and three dimensions.

  • Differential Calculus.

  • Integral Calculus and Differential equations.

  • Vector Algebra.

  • Statistics and Probability.

NDA General Ability Test Syllabus 2025 -

Part A - English.

Part B - General knowledge.

  • Physics.

  • Chemistry.

  • General Science.

  • History, freedom, movement, etc.

  • Geography.

  • Current events

NDA 2025 Exam Pattern

UPSC conducts the NDA 2025 exam twice every year where the syllabus and UPSC NDA exam pattern is the same for both the attempts. The exam pattern of UPSC NDA 2025 consists of 2 stages. The first stage is the written test and the second stage is the SSB interview (Intelligence and personality test).

  • The written exam is conducted in a single day and carries a total of 900 marks. The mathematics exam is conducted for 300 marks and is an objective type test. There will be a negative marking of 0.33 marks for incorrect answers. The GAT is conducted for 600 marks which is an objective type test and has negative marking.

  • Candidates who qualify in the written exam will be called for the SSB interview. It is a 5 day rigorous process to test the eligibility of the candidate in the military. The test focuses on the candidate's intelligence, personality and qualities of an officer.

UPSC NDA 2025 Exam Pattern

Particulars

NDA Written exam

SSB Interview

Mode

Offline (Pen and Paper)

Offline (Group activities and Face to face interview

Sections

  • Mathematics(300 marks)

  • General Ability Test (GAT)( 600 marks)

  1. Testing

  2. Psychological Test

  3. Group Testing Officers Test

  4. Personal Interview

  5. Conference

Duration

5 hours (2 hours 30 minutes for each section)

5 days

Total marks

900 marks

900 marks

Total questions

Maths - 120 questions

GAT - 150 questions

-

UPSC NDA 2025 Preparation Tips

Cracking the UPSC NDA exam requires dedication and a proper strategy. Some of the UPSC preparation tips which will be beneficial to the candidates are listed below.

  • Understand the syllabus.

  • Build a strong foundation of the basics by gathering the right resources (NCERT books provide a good foundation).

  • Revise concepts regularly.

  • Enhance vocabulary skills and stay updated with current affairs.

  • Develop time management, reasoning and problem solving skills( helps in sharpening the mind)

  • Practise UPSC NDA sample papers and previous year question papers.

  • Stay focused.

  • Maintain physical fitness.

UPSC NDA 2025 - Best Books

The syllabus for the NDA exam will mostly be the 12 th class syllabus. However, to learn some advanced topics, candidates can refer to the following UPSC NDA books to improve their foundation.

  • Mathematics - NCERT Mathematics Textbook of Class 11 and Class 12, RS Aggarwal - Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

  • English - S.P. Bakshi - Objective General English, Norman Lewis - Word Power Made Easy

  • General Knowledge - Manohar Pandey - General Knowledge.

  • Current Affairs - Magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan/ Competition Success Review

  • History - Bipin Chandra - History of Modern India.

  • Geography - Oxford University Press - Oxford School Atlas.

  • Science - Lucent’s General Science

NDA 2025 Question Papers

Candidates can download the UPSC NDA question papers from the official website upsc.gov.in. UPSC will release the UPSC NDA 2025 question papers and preparation tips on their website a few weeks after the examination. Candidates can also download unofficial NDA question papers 2025 released by coaching institutes right after the exam.

NDA 2025 Admit Card

UPSC issues an e-admit card 7 days before the examinations to all the candidates who have submitted the application form. The UPSC NDA admit card will contain all the crucial information related to the candidate.

The UPSC NDA 2025 admit card can be downloaded from the UPSC official website upsc..gov.in. Candidates must note that the NDA admit card will not be sent by post and can only be downloaded.

Steps to download the NDA admit card 2025

  • Visit the UPSC official website - upsc.gov.in

  • Navigate to the "E-Admit Card" section.

  • Select "National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination"

  • Enter registration ID and date of birth.

  • Click on "Download Admit Card".

  • Save or print a copy of the NDA 2025 admit card.

NDA 2025 Exam Centres

Candidates appearing for the exam will be given an UPSC NDA exam centre to which they need to appear and give the exam. The allotment of UPSC NDA 2025 exam centres will be based on first apply- first allot basis. Candidates are advised to apply early for the exam so that they would get the NDA exam centre of their choice. The NDA exam centres 2025 are situated in almost 75 cities in India. Candidates must note that the UPSC ND exam centres once allotted cannot be changed.

NDA 2025 Answer Key

The NDA answer key is crucial for candidates who have appeared in the examination. It contains all the official answers section-wise of the NDA exam. The NDA 2025 answer key will be released by UPSC after the examination in a few days.

The NDA answer key 2025 will help candidates in resolving any doubts regarding the answers and helps in evaluating their score. Candidates who want to raise objections to the official UPSC NDA answer key can follow the UPSC procedures and proceed.

NDA 2025 Result

The UPSC NDA results will be released by the conducting authority several weeks after the release of the answer key. The UPSC NDA 2025 result contains the list of candidates who cleared into the next round and the cut off. The NDA 2025 result can be checked on the UPSC website and it also contains the important dates related to the SSB interview round.

NDA 2025 Cut off

UPSC released the NDA cut off 2025 and the results at the same time so that candidates can know their qualifying status. Candidates who have scores equal to or more than the NDA cut off will be called for the next round which is the SSB interview round.

The UPSC board determines the UPSC NDA 2025 cut off by analysing the number of candidates appearing for the exam, difficulty level of the exam and over performance of candidates.

NDA 2025 Selection Process

The NDA selection process involves candidates clearing both the written and the SSB interview round. Clearing those rounds will give the admission into the National Defence Academy. The UPSC NDA 2025 selection process is a rigorous procedure to select candidates suitable for the role. The SSC round contains psychological tests, group tests, interviews, and officer intelligence training followed by a medical examination.

NDA 2025 Salary

The UPSC NDA 2025 salary of an NDA graduate is impressive and increases with time in their careers. Candidates will receive a stipend of Rs 56,100. during the cadet training. With experience, candidates will be receiving an increase in their NDA salary and allowances.

UPSC NDA offers allowances like Military Service Pay, Dearness allowance, Transport allowance, etc. Along with allowances, NDA also offers several benefits like clothing allowance, canteen facilities, medical facilities, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible for the UPSC NDA exams?

Unmarried men/women who have passed 12th and are between the age group of 16.5 and 19.5 can attempt the NDA 2025 exam.

2. What is the UPSC NDA salary range after clearing the NDA exam?

The NDA salary of a Lieutenant will range between Rs 56,100 and Rs 1,77,500.

3. What is the highest post in NDA?

The highest rank in each service is, Army - Chief of Army staff, Navy - Admiral, Air Force - Air chief Marshal.

4. Can I join NDA without maths?

Yes, candidates can apply without maths but it limits the branches they are eligible to apply. If the candidate does not want maths, they can still apply for the Army wing but not the Air Force or Naval wing.

5. How long is NDA training?

The Naval training is a 3 year program. However, to become a fully commissioned officer, it might take 4 to 4 and a half years as it requires additional training.

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Questions related to NDA

Have a question related to NDA ?

Hello aspirant,

Candidates should be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old. Candidates for NDA I must have been born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009. The candidate must have been born between January 2, 2007, and January 1, 2010, in order to be eligible for NDA II.

So, yes you are eligible for NDA exam in 2025.

Thank you

Hello aspirant,

To get admitted to the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2026, you must be at least the age that the UPSC has specified. Usually, applicants must be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5 at the time of application.

So if you fulfill this eligibility criteria, you are eligible for NDA 2026.

Thank you

First thing about the NDA 1 is that if you were born on February 13, 2008, you are eligible to take the NDA 1 exam and the whole NDA process is of 1 year so when you go for your ssb u need ur 12th passing certificate so if you get your result on time you are eligible for the post if selected. And can fill the form.

Second case is You can fill the form of NDA 1 Even if you don't get result which is just like dummy exam you can give the exam but you are not eligible for the post but the thing is you get experience from the exam for next attempt.

Good luck..

Hello,

No, joining the Indian Navy's logistics branch directly through the National Defence Academy (NDA) route is not possible. Here’s why:

  • NDA Role Limitations : The NDA primarily trains cadets for combat roles in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • Logistics Cadre Recruitment : The logistics branch of the Navy requires specialized skills, typically recruited through direct entries like the Indian Navy's Logistics Cadre recruitment for graduates.
  • Alternative Pathways : To join Navy Logistics, consider entry through the Combined Defence Services (CDS) after graduation or direct recruitment based on professional qualifications (e.g., MBA, BCom).

Here is a detailed guideline of how you can become an Indian Navy officer : https://www.careers360.com/careers/indian-navy-officer

Hope it helps !

Hello aspirant,

You will be eligible to take the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam beginning in 2024 because you were born in June 2006. Generally speaking, applicants are allowed to take the NDA exam as many times as necessary until they meet the age restriction of 19½.

Thank you

Hope it helps you

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