UPSC NDA Selection Process 2025 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview
UPSC mentioned the NDA selection process 2025 in the official notification. The NDA 2025 notification contains the details that is available for download on their official website, upsc.gov.in/upsconline.nic.in. Candidates are encouraged to go through the NDA 2025 selection process to get an idea of how the NDA exam will take place.
There are 3 Main stages in the NDA selection process 2025. First, Candidates must appear for the NDA 2025 written exam followed by the SSB interview and medical examination. According to the NDA admission process, only candidates who have cleared the written exam will be called for the SSB interview. Hence, it is important for candidates to prepare well for the NDA 2025. Candidates can prepare effectively using NDA question papers, the exam pattern, and the syllabus. The NDA final merit list 2025 will be prepared based on how candidates perform in both the written exam and interview. Candidates can go through the material below for more information about the NDA Joining Process 2025.
NDA Selection Process 2025- Stages
NDA Written Exam 2025
NDA SSB Interview
Medical Examination
Know about:
NDA Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam
The first stage in the NDA selection process is the written exam. The NDA 2025 written exam comprises two papers - Elementary Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The total marks allotted to the NDA written exam is 900. Candidates have to clear both papers separately.
NDA Paper 1 comprises 120 questions for 300 marks while paper 1 comprises 150 questions for 600 marks. As per the NDA exam pattern 2025, there will be a negative marking of one-third marks in both papers. Candidates who score marks equal to or more than the NDA 2025 cut-off marks will be called for the SSB interview.
NDA 2025 Selection Process - SSB Interview
Candidates who clear the NDA exam 2025 will be called for the SSB interview at various selection centres. NDA SSB Interview is a five day process held at Indian Armed Force selection centres. NDA SSB day 1 comprises a Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) and an Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR). Shortlisted candidates on day 1 are retained at the selection centre for the next four days.
The further NDA interview process comprises Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officers Task (GTO), Personal Interviews and a Conference of the NDA selection process. There is no specific syllabus of 2025 NDA for the interview round. For more details, candidates can check the table provided below.
NDA Selection Process 2025: Stepwise Selection Process
Stages | Tests |
Screening |
|
Psychological Tests |
|
Group Testing Officers Task (GTO) |
|
Personal Interview | Personal Interview with Officers |
Conference | It comprises interaction with all board members including GTO, psychologist, board president and others |
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NDA SSB Selection Centres 2025
Candidates appearing for NDA 2025 must check selection centres from the table mentioned below.
List of SSB Interview Centres
Branch | SSC Centres |
| |
Indian Navy |
|
Indian Army |
|
NDA Selection Process 2025 - Medical Examination
Recommended candidates from the SSB interview of the NDA selection process will be called for medical examination. In the SSB medical exam, candidates will be tested on various factors like height, weight, physical fitness and others. Candidates declared physically fit in all respects will be commissioned as Cadets in various academies of the Indian Army Forces.
Documents Required for NDA Selection Process 2025
Candidates appearing for the NDA interview process at SCN have to carry the below-mentioned documents.
Original 10th pass certificate or equivalent in support of date of birth
Original 10+2 pass certificate or equivalent in support of educational qualification
Valid Photo ID proof
Caste certificate if belonging to SC, ST, OBC etc
SSB call letter
NDA Selection Process 2025 - Final Merit List
To get acquainted with the Indian Armed Forces, candidates need to secure a minimum NDA cut off 2025 to get an SSB call letter.
Candidates appearing for the Indian Air Force have to qualify Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).
The final result of the NDA 2025 selection process will be prepared on the basis of performance in the written exam and SSB interview.
NDA Selection Process 2025 - Final Call
The exam authorities will issue the NDA final call letter to join the course. The final call letter of the NDA 2025 will be issued after the entire selection process is over. UPSC will issue the final call letter to the candidates who cleared all the levels of the NDA selection process.
NDA Selection Process 2025 - Reasons for candidate’s disqualification
Candidates previously rejected on the basis of medical standards are not allowed to attend the SSB interview of the NDA selection process.
Candidates who were withdrawn previously from NDA/NA on medical grounds or left the training voluntarily will be eligible for admission only if they qualify for the medical fitness test.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the different stages of the NDA selection procedure 2025?
A:
As per the selection procedure of NDA 2025, the stages include written examination, SSB interview, medical examination, and the final merit list.
Q: What is the minimum age limit to apply for NDA 2025?
A:
The minimum age limit for NDA 1 is 16.5 years.
Q: Is the medical examination compulsory for NDA selection 2025?
A:
Yes, the medical examination is one of the important stages of the NDA Selection procedure 2025.
Q: Is the NDA selection procedure for the IAF, Indian Army and Indian Navy the same?
A:
Yes, the selection procedure of NDA 2025 for all the branches is the same.
Q: What are the documents required in the NDA selection procedure 2025?
A:
Candidates need to submit class 10th and 12th certificates, valid photo ID, SSB call letter and caste certificate (if applicable) during the NDA selection procedure 2025.
Q: I am medically not physically fit. Can I apply for NDA 2025?
A:
If a candidate is not physically fit as per the NDA selection parameters, they cannot apply for NDA.
Q: What are the different stages of an SSB interview?
A:
The different stages of the NDA SSB interview are screening. psychological Tests, Group Testing Officers Task (GTO), Personal Interview and conference.
Q: Who conducts the NDA exam?
A:
The NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Q: What are the different branches of NDA?
A:
The different branches of NDA include the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.
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Questions related to NDA
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to NDA ?
Hello,
No, you are not eligible for NDA 2026.
Eligibility criteria for NDA 2026:
- NDA 1 2026 : Born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
- NDA 2 2026 : Born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
So, your DOB is before the earliest acceptable date for the NDA1 and NDA 2 exams in 2026.
You can check the following link for more details:
https://competition.careers360.com/articles/nda-eligibility-criteria
I hope this answer helps you!
Hello aspirant,
Candidates must have been born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010 in order to be eligible for this exam. You meet the age eligibility requirements since your date of birth falls within this range.
So, you are qualified to take the NDA 1 2026 exam if your birthdate is November 22, 2007.
Thank you
Hello, This is a very important and specific question. Based on the current medical standards for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA), a corrected eyesight of -3.0 D unfortunately makes you ineligible for the Army wing.
The Specific Eyesight Standards for NDA (Army Wing)
The armed forces have very strict visual standards, which are different for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. For the Army, the key limits are related to Myopia (nearsightedness) and Hypermetropia (farsightedness).
- Myopia (Nearsightedness) Limit: The maximum permissible refractive error is -2.5 D.
- Hypermetropia (Farsightedness) Limit: The maximum permissible error is +2.5 D.
Your Situation: Your spectacle power of -3.0 D is beyond the acceptable limit of -2.5 D for myopia.
I hope you found this information helpful.
Hi dear candidate,
You are eligible for NDA Air force and Navy wing even though you have subjects from two different marksheets but having qualified in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics is all you need. Hence, you are eligible but also check other criteria as well like age, physical requirements etc.
Kindly refer to the link below:
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality, Attempt Limit
BEST REGARDS
If your birthday is on 3rd April 2007, you are eligible to apply for the NDA 1 exam in 2026, but you are not eligible for NDA 2, 2026.
Current age limit is Minimum-16.5 years, Maximum-19.5 years.
cgeck here NDA ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Hope it helps..
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