UPSC NDA Selection Process 2025 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview

UPSC NDA Selection Process 2025 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview

Edited By Vishnukumar V | Updated on Nov 07, 2024 03:06 PM IST | #NDA
Upcoming Event
NDA  Exam Date : 13 Apr' 2025 - 13 Apr' 2025

UPSC mentions the NDA selection process 2025 in the official notification. The NDA 2025 notification contains the details that will be 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.

UPSC NDA Selection Process 2025 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview
UPSC NDA Selection Process 2025 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview

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

  • Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT)

  • Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR)

Psychological Tests

  • Thematic Apperception Test

  • Word Association Test

  • Situation Reaction Test

  • Self Description Test

Group Testing Officers Task (GTO)

  • Group Discussion

  • Group Planning Exercise

  • Progressive Group Task

  • Half Group Task

  • Individual Obstacles Task

  • Command Task

  • Snake Race and Group Obstacle Race

Personal Interview

Personal Interview with Officers

Conference

It comprises interaction with all board members including GTO, psychologist, board president and others

Quick Links:

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 Air Force (IAF)

  • 1 AFSB Dehradun

  • 2 AFSB Mysore

  • 3 AFSB Gandhi Nagar

  • 4 AFSB Varanasi

Indian Navy

  • NSB Coimbatore

  • 12 SSB Bangalore

  • 33 SSB Bhopal

Indian Army

  • Selection Center East Allahabad

  • Selection Center Central Bhopal

  • Selection Center South Bangalore

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)

1. Who conducts the NDA exam?

The NDA exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

2. What are the different stages of the NDA selection procedure 2025?

As per the selection procedure of NDA 2025, the stages include written examination, SSB interview, medical examination, and the final merit list.

3. What is the minimum age limit to apply for NDA 2025?

The minimum age limit for NDA 1 is 16.5 years.

4. Is the medical examination compulsory for NDA selection 2025?

Yes, the medical examination is one of the important stages of the NDA Selection procedure 2025.

5. What are the different branches of NDA?

The different branches of NDA include the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.

6. Is the NDA selection procedure for the IAF, Indian Army and Indian Navy the same?

Yes, the selection procedure of NDA 2025 for all the branches is the same.

7. What are the documents required in the NDA selection procedure 2025?

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.

8. What are the different stages of an SSB interview?

The different stages of the NDA SSB interview are screening. psychological Tests, Group Testing Officers Task (GTO), Personal Interview and conference.

9. I am medically not physically fit. Can I apply for NDA 2025?

If a candidate is not physically fit as per the NDA selection parameters, they cannot apply for NDA.

Articles

Certifications By Top Providers

Human Rights Defenders
Via Amnesty International
Contract Law from Trust to Promise to Contract
Via Harvard University, Cambridge
Access to Justice
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Law of Torts
Via University of Kashmir, Srinagar
Swayam
 217 courses
Edx
 198 courses
LawSikho
 127 courses
Futurelearn
 89 courses
Coursera
 76 courses
Udemy
 63 courses

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to NDA

Have a question related to NDA ?

Hello,

If you are an Army cadet in NDA, you cannot pursue a BTech degree .

Only Air Force and Navy cadets at NDA have the option to pursue a BTech degree. Army cadets complete a BA or BSc degree during their training.

Hope it helps !

NDA is conducted two times in a year and consists of two stages, written exam followed by SSB interview for selection into any one of the three armed forces.

As for the age limit prescribed by NDA i.e between 16.5 years and 19.5 years and your date of birth, you are eligible for both the NDA sessions of April 13, 2025 and September 14 2025 as your age being less than 19.5 years .

The NDA (National Defense Academy) exam has an age limit of 16.5 to 19.5 years at the time of joining. Since you were born on June 3, 2007, let's calculate your attempts:

Upcoming NDA Attempts for You

1.    NDA 1, 2025 (April) → Eligible (You will be 17 years old)

2.    NDA 2, 2025 (September) → Eligible

3.    NDA 1, 2026 (April) → Eligible

4.    NDA 2, 2026 (September) → Eligible

5.    NDA 1, 2027 (April) → Eligible

6.    NDA 2, 2027 (September) → Last Attempt (You will be 20 in June 2027, but eligibility is checked on July 1, 2027, so you are still eligible.)

Total Attempts: 6

You have six attempts for NDA, starting from NDA 1, 2025, until NDA 2, 2027. Make sure to prepare well!

Hello,


According to the eligibility criteria for the NDA 2, the age limit is between January 2, 2005, and January 1, 2008. Unfortunately, with a DOB of 03/09/2008, you are not eligible for NDA 2. You'll need to wait until you meet the age requirements.

Hello candidate ,

I hope you are doing well. As per your mentioned query , according to NDA exam eye defect can be considered but they consider only mild level of it.

According to eligibility criteria of NDA exam , student correct vision should be 6/6 and in the worst case it can be 6/9.

I hope this helps !!

View All
Back to top