UPSC NDA Exam 2025
The UPSC NDA exam is a crucial pathway for joining the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Since its formation in 1954, it has been a dream for thousands of students each year. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), this exam selects eligible candidates for the National Defence Academy (NDA).
The NDA exam not only offers excellent education but also trains candidates in leadership and discipline. It is a valuable opportunity for those eager to serve the nation. After passing the exam, candidates join the NDA, where they gain practical training for a career in the armed forces.
Over the years, the NDA exam has played a significant role in strengthening India’s defense forces. It inspires young minds to contribute to the nation’s security and is now seen as a prestigious way to serve the country.
Highlights of UPSC NDA 2025 Registration
| Feature | Details |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Examination |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen and Paper-based) |
| Stages of Selection | Written Examination, SSB Interview, Medical Examination |
| Total Marks | 1800 (900 for Written Exam + 900 for SSB Interview) |
| Written Exam Subjects | Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Exam Duration | 5 hours (2.5 hours for each paper) |
| Medium of Exam | English and Hindi (except for the English section of GAT) |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 qualification; Physics and Mathematics for Air Force and Navy |
| Age Limit | – NDA 1: Born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009 – NDA 2: Born between Jan 2, 2007, and Jan 1, 2010 |
| Gender | Both male and female candidates are eligible |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (SC/ST/females and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempted) |
| Vacancies | 396 (208 for the Army, 42 for the Navy, 110 for the Air Force, 36 for the Naval Academy) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (0.83 marks for Mathematics, 1.33 marks for GAT) |
| Notification Release | NDA 1: December 11, 2024 NDA 2: May 28, 2025 |
| Exam Dates | NDA 1: April 13, 2025 NDA 2: September 14, 2025 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria for UPSC NDA Vacancy 2025
To appear for the UPSC NDA exam, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria. Firstly, applicants should have passed 12th class from a recognized board. This applies to both men and women. Candidates aiming for the National Defence Academy must have studied science, mathematics, and physics, with a focus on chemistry for those interested in the Indian Air Force or Navy.
Age is another key requirement. Candidates aged between 16.5 to 19.5 years are eligible to apply. The candidate must be an Indian citizen, or a national of Nepal or Bhutan. Physical fitness is crucial, as applicants must be free of any serious medical conditions.
There is no gender discrimination for the NDA exam, as both male and female candidates follow the same eligibility standards. This equal opportunity encourages more women to apply, creating a positive step toward gender inclusion in the NDA.
UPSC NDA Notification 2025 Age Limit
The age limit of the candidates for the UPSC NDA exam is one of the important points. Generally, the age of the candidates should be between 16.5 years to 19.5 years to appear in this exam. This age limit is for those students who want to join the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. The age limit has been determined so that a reasonable time can be fixed for the candidates to start the initial training. As far as age relaxation is concerned, certain relaxations are provided for different categories like OBC, SC, ST, etc.
- NDA 1: Born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
- NDA 2: Born between January 2, 2007, and January 1, 2010.
- Gender: Both unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply.
- Physical Standards: Candidates must meet the prescribed physical and medical standards outlined by UPSC.
Application Fees
- General category candidates: ₹100
- SC/ST/female candidates and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs: Exempted from the fee.
UPSC NDA Recruitment 2025 Selection Process
The selection process begins with the qualifying exam, in which a written exam is conducted. The written exam consists of two major subjects: Mathematics and General Studies. Candidates have to clear these subjects to be eligible to proceed with medical examinations. After the written exam, the selected candidates are also required to appear for the Physical Efficiency Test (PFT). This test is conducted to assess the physical fitness of the candidates.
After the physical test, there is an interview stage for the candidates. In this stage, the candidates are evaluated mentally and physically. The interview ensures acceptance into the Indian Defence Services for the selected candidates. Thus, the written exam, physical test, and interview are all important stages in the selection process for the NDA exam. Under this entire process, the overall ability of a candidate is tested so that they can be trained properly.
UPSC NDA 2025 Exam Pattern
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum Marks | Remarks |
| Mathematics | 01 | 2.5 hours | 300 | Based on 10+2 level mathematics. Questions test analytical and problem-solving skills. |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 02 | 2.5 hours | 600 | Divided into two sections: English and General Knowledge. |
| Total Written Exam | – | 5 hours | 900 | Candidates must qualify for this stage to proceed to the SSB Interview. |
| SSB Interview | – | – | 900 | Includes two stages: Psychological Tests and Group Testing Officer Tasks. |
Breakdown of GAT (General Ability Test)
| Section | Topics Covered | Marks |
| Part A: English | Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Sentence Structure, Synonyms, Antonyms | 200 |
| Part B: General Knowledge | Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Events | 400 |
Marking Scheme
| Aspect | Mathematics | GAT |
| Correct Answer | +2.5 marks | +4 marks |
| Incorrect Answer | -0.83 marks | -1.33 marks |
| Unanswered Question | 0 marks | 0 marks |
SSB Interview Details
| Stage | Tests Conducted | Maximum Marks |
| Stage I | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR), Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT) | Qualifying Only |
| Stage II | Psychological Tests, Group Tasks, Personal Interview, and Conference | 900 |
Notes
- The written exam carries 900 marks, and the SSB interview also carries 900 marks, making a total of 1800 marks.
- The medium of the exam is bilingual (English and Hindi), except for the English section.
- Candidates must pass both the written exam and the SSB interview to qualify.
Physical Standards Test (PST) and Physical Measurement Test (PMT)
| Criteria | Minimum Requirement |
| Height (Army & Navy) | 157 cm (for males), 152 cm (for females) |
| Height (Air Force) | 162.5 cm (for males and females) |
| Weight | Proportional to height and age as per medical standards |
| Chest (Males) | Minimum 81 cm, with an expansion of at least 5 cm |
| Vision Standards | – Army & Navy: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other (corrected with glasses if needed) – Air Force: 6/6 in one eye and 6/6 in the other (without glasses) |
| Hearing | Normal in both ears, no evidence of any ear disease |
| Teeth | Healthy and at least 14 dental points |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
| Activity | Standard |
| Running | 2.4 km in 15 minutes (for males and females) |
| Push-ups (Males) | 20 push-ups in one go |
| Sit-ups | 25 sit-ups in one go |
| Chin-ups (Males) | Minimum 8 chin-ups |
| Bent-knee Sit-ups (Females) | 15 bent-knee sit-ups in one go |
| Long Jump | Minimum 3.8 meters |
| High Jump | Minimum 1.2 meters |
Other Key Medical Standards
| Parameter | Requirement |
| Knock Knees | Not acceptable |
| Flat Feet | Not acceptable |
| Color Blindness | Should not be present |
| Varicose Veins | Not acceptable |
| Physical Deformities | No deformities that interfere with the efficient performance of military duties |
| Mental Health | Should be free from mental health disorders or psychiatric conditions |
Notes:
- Candidates must meet all physical and medical standards as outlined by UPSC.
- Relaxations in height are provided for candidates from certain regions:
- Gorkhas, North-East India, Garhwal, Kumaon regions: 5 cm relaxation in height.
- Lakshadweep candidates: 2 cm relaxation in height.
- Failing any of the physical, medical, or efficiency tests may result in disqualification.
Salary Benefits
Candidates who clear the NDA exam get a fixed salary after selection. The starting salary is around Rs 56,100 per month, which includes various allowances. This salary structure includes dearness allowance, house allowance, and various other allowances. Apart from this, medical facilities, holiday opportunities, and other perks are also provided to the selected candidates. All these things make a career in NDA an attractive option.
Vacancies Details
| Academy | Vacancies |
| National Defence Academy (Army) | 208 |
| National Defence Academy (Navy) | 42 |
| National Defence Academy (Air) | 110 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry) | 36 |
| Total | 396 |
Application Process
The application process for the NDA (National Defence Academy) exam is as per a set guideline. Interested candidates must first visit the official website, where they will get the option to fill out the application form. The application process is usually conducted twice a year, which is in January and July. Candidates should know the application starting date well. Generally, it is necessary to fill in all the required information correctly before the last date of filling out the application form.
In the process of filling out the application form, candidates have to provide their personal information, educational qualification,s, and other details. Along with this, candidates also have to upload a scanned copy of the required documents. These documents are identity cards, age certificates, and educational qualifications.
After filling out the form, candidates have to pay the application fee, which may vary according to different categories. After the payment, candidates get an acknowledgment confirming their application, which must be kept safe for future reference.
NDA 1 2025 Examination:
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | December 11, 2024 |
| Application Period | December 11 – 31, 2024 |
| Application Correction Window | January 1 – 7, 2025 |
| Examination Date | April 13, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
NDA 2 2025 Examination:
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | May 28, 2025 |
| Application Period | May 28 – June 17, 2025 |
| Examination Date | September 14, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
How to fill out the UPSC NDA Application Form 2025?
- Visit the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in).
- Navigate to the “Examinations” section and click on “Apply Online.”
- Select the NDA & NA examination link.
- Register by providing details such as name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number.
- Log in using the generated registration ID and complete the application form with personal, educational, and contact details.
- Upload scanned copies of:
- Photograph
- Signature
- Photo ID (as per specifications in the notification)
- Pay the application fee:
- ₹100 for general candidates.
- Exempted for SC/ST/female candidates and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs.
- Review the entered details and ensure accuracy.
- Submit the application form.
- Save and print the application confirmation page for future use.