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Union Public Service Commission specified the UPSC NDA exam pattern 2025 in their official notification at upsc.gov.in. The exam pattern of UPSC NDA 1 2025 contains the basic information about the mode of the exam, total marks, number of questions, etc. According to the exam pattern, the UPSC NDA exam consists of two papers - Mathematics paper and the General Ability Test (GAT).
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Candidates should acquaint themselves with the NDA exam paper pattern before preparing for the exam. Along with the exam pattern, it is also important to use the NDA exam syllabus to get an idea of how the exam might appear. Both NDA paper 1 and paper 2 holds a total of 900 marks. The NDA exam 2025 is conducted in two stages, the written exam and the SSB interview. Candidates can find comprehensive information about the NDA 2025 exam pattern below.
NDA Exam Mode | Offline |
Language/Medium of NDA exam | English & Hindi (Except for English section - questions in English only) |
No. of Papers | 2 (Mathematics & GAT) |
Time allotted for each paper | 2 hours 30 minutes |
No. of questions and marks for mathematics | 120 for 300 marks |
No. of questions and marks for GAT | 150 for 600 marks |
Types of questions | Objective (MCQ type) |
Quick Links: How to join NDA after class 12th?
The first stage of the NDA exam is a written exam. The written NDA 2025 exam consists of two papers, Mathematics and GAT. All the details related to the exam pattern of NDA 2025 are mentioned in the table below -
Papers | Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
Paper 1 | Mathematics | 300 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Paper 2 | GAT | 600 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Total | 900 | 5 hours |
Total Marks | 300 |
Marks allotted to each question | 2.5 |
Negative marking for each incorrect response | -0.83 |
Sections | Maximum marks | |
Part A - English | 200 | |
Part B - General Knowledge | Physics | 400 |
Chemistry | ||
General Science | ||
History, Freedom Movement, etc. | ||
Geography | ||
Current Events | ||
Total | 600 |
Quick Links: NDA salary 2025 and career growth
There are two stages in the SSB interview - stage I and stage II. As per the NDA SSB interview, it consists of a total of 900 marks and will be held over a period of 4 to 5 days. There is a negative marking in the NDA written exam. Candidates must clear stage I of the SSB to be eligible to appear for stage II. Check the following details related to the NDA SSB in the table below -
Stages of SSB Interview | 2 |
Duration | 4-5 Days |
Maximum Marks | 900 |
In this stage, candidates will have to take two tests - the Officers Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and the Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT). Only those candidates who clear this stage will appear for Stage II.
In this stage of the SSB interview, aspirants will have to go through Group Testing Officers Tasks, Psychology tests, and the Conference. These tests will be conducted over 4 days.
Stages | Tests | |
Stage-I | Screening Test | Verbal and non-verbal tests. PPDT |
Stage-II | Psychological Test |
|
Group Testing Officers Test |
| |
Personal Interview | ||
Conference |
Also Read: How to join Indian Air Force?
According to the marking scheme of NDA, one-third of the marks allotted to each question will be deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates must also note that no marks will be deducted for unanswered questions. Check the NDA marking distribution and scheme in the following table below.
Particulars | Mathematics |
NDA exam total marks | 300 |
Marks allotted to each question | 2.5 |
Negative marking for each incorrect response | -0.83 |
Particulars | GAT |
NDA exam total marks | 600 |
Marks allotted to each question | 4 |
Negative marking for each incorrect response | -1.33 |
Quick Links: How to crack the UPSC NDA exam?
Along with the exam pattern, candidates must also be aware of the topics of utmost importance in the NDA syllabus 2025, that need to be prepared. Below are the NDA exam topics -
Subject | Topics |
Mathematics |
|
GAT |
|
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After knowing about the syllabus and UPSC NDA exam pattern it is important to head towards the study materials. Although UPSC NDA is based on 10+2 level there are few books that can help candidates sharpen their preparations. It is essential that candidates make use of the best resources to prepare for the UPSC NDA exam. Some of the best books for the NDA 2025 exam are -
NDA Books | Authors |
Class 12th Mathematics | RS Aggarwal |
Exam Specific NDA Entrance Exam | ES Ramasamy |
General Science Guide for Competitive Exams CSAT/NDA/CDS/Railways/SSC/UPSC/State PSC/Defence | Disha Publications |
Social Problems in India (Indian Society - GS 1) | Ram Ahuja |
The first and foremost strategy is to know what you are going to encounter, then on how to prepare for the NDA 2025 exam. In this case, the exam pattern of NDA 2025 and the syllabus is the most important thing.
Candidates must strategize their preparations well before time to be able to ace NDA 2025.
Allot a specific amount of time to study for each subject.
While solving the NDA question papers 2025, candidates will be able to know about the question paper pattern of previous years By using a timer, they will also be able to speed up their question-solving abilities as well. With the help of UPSC NDA question papers, aspirants can also evaluate themselves to identify topics that they find difficult to score in.
Yes, it is. One-third of the marks allotted to the question are deducted if answered incorrectly. In mathematics, each question carries 2.5 marks and 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Similarly, in GAT, each question carries 4 marks and 1.33 marks are deducted for wrong answers.
The total marks allotted to GAT is 600 whereas Mathematics will be conducted for 300 marks.
NDA written examination will be conducted for a total of 900 marks, out of which 300 are for mathematics and 600 are for GAT. Candidates who clear the written exam appear for the SSB interview which is conducted for 900 marks.
It is mandatory that all candidates score the minimum qualifying marks and NDA 2025 cut off in order to clear the written exam. Aspirants must score 25% in both mathematics and GAT.
The difficulty level of the mathematics exam is of class 12th-level in the NDA written examination.
NDA cut off is decided on the basis of difficulty of the exam, number of candidates appearing for the exam, and vacancies. Candidates are required to score at least 25% marks apart from the UPSC NDA cut off in both mathematics and GAT.
NDA written exam 2025 is conducted for a total of 900 marks, out of which 300 are for mathematics and 600 are for GAT. Candidates who clear the UPSC NDA written exam will appear for the SSB interview which is conducted for 900 marks.
It is mandatory that all candidates score the minimum NDA 2025 cut off in order to clear the written exam. Candidates must score 25% in both mathematics and GAT.
Cadets get a stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month. In hand NDA salary is given based on rank.
The NDA 1 2025 exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025.
The NDA 2025 application form has released on December 11, 2024 at upsc.gov.in.
Application Date:30 December,2024 - 28 January,2025
Hello aspirant,
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam will be administered at the national level twice a year. Through this exam, candidates can apply to join the armed forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
Candidates must have been born on or between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010, in order to be eligible for this exam.
So you are not eligible for NDA Exam in 2026.
Thank you
Hope this information helps you
Hello aspirant,
Here below I am providing you the name of documents you are required to have for NDA exam:
For more information, you can visit our site through following link:
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/nda-application-form
Thank you
Hello,
Here are the key points regarding your situation:
Hope it helps !
Hello aspirant,
The CDS 1 & 2 exam 2025 notification dates have already been released by the authority. Applications for CDS 1 2025 must be submitted by December 31, 2024. The date of the 2025 CDS 1 exam is April 13, 2025.
On December 11, 2024, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) published the notification for NDA 1 2025. From December 11 until December 31, 2024, NDA 1 application form 2025 will be accessible. On April 13, 2025, the NDA 1 2025 written test will take place.
Both the exams will be conducted on April 13, 2025.
Thank you
Hope it helps you
Hi,
Yes, PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) students can apply for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, but only for the Army Wing . For the Navy and Air Force Wings , it's mandatory to have studied Mathematics in your 10+2 education
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