NDA 2025 Exam Highlights
NDA is one of the most prestigious defence exams in the country wherein candidates who have completed or are pursuing the Class 12 exam appear for the exam.
The examination details are as follows-
● Exam - National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA)
● Governing Body- UPSC
● Exam Level- National
● Exam Frequency- Two times a year (April & September)
● Mode of Exam- Offline
● Exam Criteria- NDA Written exam and SSB Interview
● Exam Objective- For admission to the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC)
● Exam Fees- INR 100 for male candidates belonging to the General and OBC categories. However, SC/ST/Women candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted from fees.
● Total Marks- Written Exam: 900, SSB Interview: 900
● Language - English and Hindi
● Official Website to apply- upsc.gov.in
NDA Exam Dates 2025
NDA exam dates in 2025 had already been announced through the UPSC annual calendar. The details mentioned are as follows
Events
NDA 1 Notification 2025 11-Dec-2024
Dates
NDA 1 Application Form 2025 11-Dec-2024 to 31-Dec-2024
NDA 1 Exam Date 2025 13-Apr-2025
NDA 2 Notification 2025 28-May-2025
NDA 2 Application Form 2025 28-May-2025 to 17-June-2025
NDA 2 Exam Date 2025 14-Sept-2025
NDA Exam Pattern 2025
The NDA exam is divided into written and SSB interviews. The written exam consists of two papers: Maths and GAT. The total marks for the written exam are 900 and for SSB also it is 900 making it a total of 1800 marks. The qualifying mark for each section is 25%. Candidates qualifying for the written exam are then called for an SSB interview.
SSB Interview consists of two stages. Stage 1 comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage 2 of the SSB interview comprises Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychological Tests, and the Conference. The SSB interview carries 900 marks. The structure for the exam pattern is given below.
NDA Syllabus 2025
NDA syllabus 2025 is prescribed by UPSC for Maths and GAT. Candidates appearing for this exam should be well-versed in the syllabus given below:
Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.
GAT: The GAT syllabus of NDA is divided into two sections. Section A comprises questions from English, while Section B carries questions from General Knowledge. Questions in English are asked from Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. Questions in General Knowledge are from Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Affairs.
NDA Age limit
For the NDA 1 exam, both male and female candidates must have been born not earlier than July 2, 2005, and not later than July 1, 2008. For the NDA 2 exam, both male and female candidates must have been born not earlier than January 2, 2005, and not later than January 1, 2008.
NDA Educational Qualification
● National Defence Academy- Passed Class 12/HSC or equivalent from a recognized board or university.
● Air Force, Navy, and Naval Academy of NDA- Passed Class 12/HSC with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
NDA Eligibility for Women
The NDA age limit for women candidates is the same as mentioned above. Female candidates who are unmarried and born between 2 July 2005 to 1 July 2008 are eligible to apply for the exam. Those who have appeared or are appearing in the Class 12 exam can also apply. Candidates must be physically fit and mentally sound.
NDA Preparation Tips 2025
● Candidates must be well-versed with the concepts of the topics in the syllabus.
● Candidates must refer to the best NDA books to prepare as it will help them to get details of all topics given in the syllabus.
● Candidates must attempt mock test series and practice NDA previous years’ question papers.
● Candidates must learn time management by solving the previous years’ question papers.
● Candidates must engage in physical fitness and increase their concentration power by doing meditation.
● Candidates must read newspapers and focus on current affairs, etc.
