NDA 2025 : Step-by-Step Selection Process & Exam Details

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the NDA exam for both male and female candidates. The selection process begins with the release of an official notification and application form, which also announces the number of vacancies available.

The NDA selection process consists of two main stages:

1. Written Exam (900 marks) – Includes Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT)
2. SSB Interview (900 marks) – Assesses psychological aptitude, intelligence, and personality

Candidates who clear the written exam qualify for the SSB Interview. The final merit list is based on the combined scores of both stages.

 NDA Selection Process: Stages 

The NDA selection process includes:
✔ Written Exam
✔ SSB Interview

 1. NDA Written Exam 

The NDA written exam consists of two papers:

• Mathematics – 300 Marks
• General Ability Test (GAT) – 600 Marks

📌 Total Marks: 900
📌 Duration: 5 hours (2.5 hours per paper)
📌 Question Type: Objective (Multiple-Choice Questions)

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam are invited to the SSB Interview, which includes psychological and personality assessments.

Marking Scheme

Subject	Correct Answer	Wrong Answer (Negative Marking)
GAT	+4 marks	-1.33 marks
Maths	+2.5 marks	-0.83 marks

 2. NDA SSB Interview Process 

The SSB Interview is a five-day process designed to evaluate a candidate's officer-like qualities.

Stages of the SSB Interview

✅ Stage I

• Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
• Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT)

✅ Stage II

• Personal Interview
• Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
• Psychological Tests
• Conference Round

📌 Total Marks for SSB Interview: 900

 Day-Wise Breakdown of the SSB Interview 

Day	Activity
Day 1	Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT)
Day 2	Psychological Tests
Day 3	Group Testing Officer’s (GTO) Tasks
Day 4	Personal Interview
Day 5	Final Conference

 Final Selection Process 

To secure admission into the Army, Navy, or Air Force wings of NDA, candidates must:

✔ Meet the NDA cut-off marks in both the written exam and SSB interview
✔ Qualify the CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) for Air Force candidates
✔ Meet NDA eligibility criteria, medical fitness requirements, and merit preferences

 Can Girls Join NDA? 

Yes! In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of India allowed women candidates to apply for the NDA exam.

🔹 Eligibility Criteria for Women

• Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years
• Education: Class 12 pass or appearing
• Medical standards differ slightly from male candidates

Training for Female Cadets:

• Female cadets undergo the same three-year training as their male counterparts
• Military training follows a gender-neutral approach, with minor adjustments in physical training

📌 Fact: In NDA 2 Exam 2021, 1.7 lakh women applied, and 1002 women qualified for the written test.

 Documents Required for the SSB Interview 

Candidates attending the SSB Interview must carry:

✅ Class 12 Certificate (original)
✅ Category Certificate (for SC/ST/OBC candidates)
✅ Identity Proof (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Passport, etc.)
✅ Address Proof