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NDA Exam Pattern 2025 - Check NDA Exam Complete paper pattern
Edited By Vishnukumar V | Updated on Sep 01, 2024 09:32 AM IST | #NDA
Union Public Service Commission releases 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 Pattern 2025 - Overview
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?
NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for Written Examination
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 -
Exam Pattern Of NDA 2025 Written Test
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 | |
NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for Mathematics
Total Marks | 300 |
Marks allotted to each question | 2.5 |
Negative marking for each incorrect response | -0.83 |
NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for General Ability Test (GAT)
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
NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for SSB Interview
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 -
NDA Interview Scheme
Stages of SSB Interview | 2 |
Duration | 4-5 Days |
Maximum Marks | 900 |
SSB Interview - Stage-I
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.
SSB Interview - 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.
SSB Interview Stages
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?
NDA Marking Scheme 2025
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.
NDA Marking Scheme Mathematics
Particulars | Mathematics |
NDA exam total marks | 300 |
Marks allotted to each question | 2.5 |
Negative marking for each incorrect response | -0.83 |
NDA Marking Scheme GAT
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?
NDA Syllabus 2025
Along with the exam pattern, candidates should 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 -
NDA Exam Syllabus
Subject | Topics |
Mathematics |
|
GAT |
|
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Best Books To Prepare For NDA 2025
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 -
Best Books for NDA 2025
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 |
How To Prepare For NDA 2025?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are there negative marks in the NDA exam?
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.
2. What are the total marks allotted to GAT and mathematics?
The total marks allotted to GAT is 600 whereas Mathematics will be conducted for 300 marks.
3. What are the total marks of the NDA 2025 exam?
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.
4. What happens if I score the total cutoff marks of the NDA examination but do not score 25% in Mathematics?
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.
5. What is the difficulty level of mathematics in the NDA examination?
The difficulty level of the mathematics exam is of class 12th-level in the NDA written examination.
6. What is the usual cut off of NDA exam?
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.
7. What are the total marks allotted for NDA 2025 exam?
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.
8. What happens if I score the total cut off of the NDA exam but do not score 25% in Mathematics?
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.
9. What is the UPSC NDA salary given to a candidate clear the examination?
Cadets get a stipend of Rs. 21,000 per month. In hand NDA salary is given based on rank. Basic pay for the post of Lieutenant is Rs. 15,600 - Rs 39,100 per month while the military fund is Rs. 6,000 and grade pay is Rs. 500.
10. When will the NDA 1 2025 exam be conducted?
The NDA 1 2025 exam will be conducted on April 13, 2025.
11. When will the NDA 1 application 2025 be released?
The NDA 2025 application form will be released on December 11, 2024 at upsc.gov.in.
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Have a question related to NDA ?
Hello Abeer,
If you have two thumbs on one hand, it could make it difficult to pass the medical exam for NDA (National Defence Academy). The medical standards for NDA are very strict, especially about physical fitness and ability.
NDA requires candidates to have no physical conditions that might affect their performance. If having two thumbs affects how your hand works, like your grip or movement, it might be a problem.
However, every case is looked at individually. If your hand works well and the condition can be treated, you might still have a chance. It's best to talk to a doctor or someone involved in defense recruitment to get clear advice for your situation.
WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!
Ashita Singh 25 September,2024
You must be at least the age requirements set out by the UPSC in order to be admitted to the NDA (National Defence Academy) in 2026. Candidates must typically be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old when they submit their applications.
The exam for NDA 1 in 2026 is typically given in April, therefore in order to be eligible, you would have to be born between January 2, 2007, and January 1, 2010.
The age range for NDA 2, which is usually held in September, in 2026 would be comparable.
You are qualified for both NDA 1 and NDA 2 in 2026 since your birthdate is March 23, 2007.
Juee Hote 23 September,2024
Hello Sachin!
The NDA exam by the Union Public Service Commission, India, is again a rather less eligibility criterion-based test with age and number of attempts being the main limiting factors. Since your birth date is June 7, 2007, it is thus broken into
Age Limit: For NDA, one should be in the age range of 16.5 years to 19.5 years on the 1st day of the month in which the exam is being conducted. For example, if the NDA exam has been held in April, one should have completed 16.5 years and should not cross over 19.5 years on April 1st of that particular year.
Attempts: No limit is prescribed for the number of attempts to sit for the NDA exam. But since the upper age limit confines a candidate within an age group only, you can have only so many attempts relating to your age.
You are born on June 7, 2007:
You will be eligible to attempt the NDA exam around December 2023 when you would be 16.5 years old.
Your eligibility will remain valid till you reach 19.5 years of age, which is approximately December 2026.
So, you will have roughly around 8 to 9 chances, presuming you attempt both the exams every year.
Please refer to the official notification by NDA about the exam and the guidelines by UPSC for the most accurate and latest information.
Thankyou!
Deepti Singh 13 September,2024
Yes, you are eligible for NDA 2 2025.
The age limit for NDA 2 is between 16.5 and 19.5 years. Since your date of birth is September 6, 2006, you will be 18 years old at the time of the exam, which falls within the eligible age range.
However, please note that:
- You must have appeared or passed your Class 12 exam by the time of the NDA 2 written examination.
- There are specific physical standards that you must meet to be eligible.
It's always recommended to check the official notification for the latest information on eligibility criteria and exam dates.
monag2673 13 September,2024
Hello aspirant,
The NDA exam has an age limit for participation. Applicants must be between the ages of 16.5 and 19.5. Both male and female candidates must have been born on July 2, 2004, or July 1, 2007, in order to sit for the NDA 1 2025 exam.
Since you born on 19th july 2005, you are eligible to give this exam.
Thank you
Sajal Trivedi 11 September,2024
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