UPSC NDA Cut Off 2026: NDA 1 & 2 Expected & Previous Year Cut-Off Marks

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy examination. The UPSC NDA Cut Off 2026 represents the minimum qualifying marks for candidates. This cut-off is released separately for both NDA 1 and NDA 2 examinations following the announcement of the final results on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in). This comprehensive article provides previous years' cut-off marks for both the written tests and final selection, offering valuable insights for candidates preparing for upcoming UPSC NDA exams.

NDA Cut Off 2026

The UPSC will publish the NDA cut-off marks and individual mark sheets on the Commission's website within 15 days of the final result declaration. For candidates who have already appeared for the exam or are planning to do so, understanding the NDA Cut Off Marks is crucial for effective preparation.

UPSC NDA 2 Notification 2026 Released: 394 Vacancies Announced – Click Here for Details

NDA Previous Year Cut-Off Marks

Analyzing previous years' cut-off marks provides a clear direction for your preparation strategy. It helps you gauge the required score for the upcoming UPSC NDA Exam. By examining the yearly cut-off trends, candidates can effectively plan their study schedule. This article presents the essential cut-off information, including written exam cut-off marks.

NDA Written Test Cut-Off Marks

The cut-off marks for the previous year's Written Test are detailed in the table below.

Year	NDA 1 Exam	NDA 2 Exam
2024	291	305
2023	301	292
2022	360	355
2021	343	355
2020	355	355
2019	342	346
2018	338	325
2017	342	258
2016	288	229
2015	306	269
2014	360	283
2013	333	360
2012	–	335

NDA Previous Year Final Cut-Off Marks

The table below presents the previous year's final cut-off marks for the UPSC NDA exam, enabling you to assess the level of competition and the examination's difficulty.

Year	NDA 1 Exam	NDA 2 Exam
2024	654	673
2023	664	656
2022	720	720
2021	709	726
2020	723	719
2019	705	709
2018	708	624
2016	656	602
2015	656	674
2014	722	656
2013	698	721
2012	–	699

Steps to Check UPSC NDA Cut-Off 2026

Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website at www.upsc.gov.in.

Step 2: Navigate to the 'UPSC NDA 2026 Cut Off' link on the homepage.

Step 3: Click on the relevant link once found.

Step 4: You will be directed to a new page displaying the cut-off marks.

Step 5: Download the UPSC NDA cut-off marks in PDF format for future reference.

How to Calculate UPSC NDA marks?

The marking scheme for the UPSC NDA written examination is outlined below.

1. UPSC NDA Exam will be consist of Objective type questions for 900 marks.
2. There will be two subjects upon which the questions will be asked – Mathematics and General Ability Test.
3. There will be a negative marking of 0.33 marks for every wrong answer.
4. The final cutoff list will be released on the basis of the marks scored by the candidate in the written as well as the SSB interview round.
5. The marks given in the interview round will be out of 900.

Subjects/Paper	Maximum Marks
Mathematics	300 marks
General Ability Test (Part A: General English) General Ability Test (Part B: General Knowledge)	600 marks

Minimum Qualifying Marks for UPSC NDA 2026

UPSC announces the final NDA cut-off marks (out of 1800) after the completion of interviews, based on a merit list compiled from the written examination. Candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying marks set by UPSC for both the written exam and the final selection. To advance to the next stage, candidates need to score at least the cut-off marks in the written exam and secure a minimum of 25% in each subject. The final selection cut-off encompasses scores from both the written examination and the SSB Interview.