The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) examination to select candidates for prestigious defense services. Understanding the selection criteria, including how the UPSC calculates cut-off marks and the structure of the examination, is essential for every aspirant planning for the 2026 cycle.
Understanding the NDA Marking Scheme
Success in the NDA exam requires a clear grasp of the evaluation process. The written examination is worth 900 marks and features objective-type questions. Candidates must be aware of the negative marking policy and subject-wise weightage to strategize their preparation effectively.
Marking Scheme Details
- Objective type questions (900 marks total)
- Subjects: Mathematics and General Ability Test
- Negative marking: 0.33 marks per wrong answer
- SSB interview round: 900 marks
- Qualifying requirement: 25% marks in each written subject
| Subjects/Paper | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 300 marks |
| General Ability Test (Part A: General English) General Ability Test (Part B: General Knowledge) | 600 marks |
How to Check UPSC NDA 2026 Cut-Off
Once the final results are announced, the UPSC publishes the cut-off marks and individual mark sheets. Follow these steps to access the official data on the official website of the Union Public Service Commission.
- Visit the official UPSC website at https://www.upsc.gov.in/.
- Search for the link provided for the โUPSC NDA 2026 Cut Offโ on the home page.
- Click on that link.
- Redirect to the page displaying the cut-off marks.
- Download the UPSC NDA cut-off marks in PDF format.
Previous Year Cut-Off Trends
The final cut-off is calculated out of 1800 marks (900 from the written exam + 900 from the SSB interview). Several factors, including exam difficulty, total vacancies, and the volume of candidates, influence these thresholds.
| 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 | โ | 335 |
| 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 | โ | 699 |
Next Steps for Aspirants
After checking your status and ensuring you meet the qualifying marks, candidates should immediately begin preparations for the next phase. Keep an eye on the official portal for admit card release notifications. For those tracking current updates, you can check for the NDA 2 Admit Card 2026 Out - Click to Download to ensure you have all documentation ready for your examination date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Negative Marking & Net Score Calculator
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