NDA 2025: Notification, Registration, Dates, Eligibility, SSB Interview, Admission Procedure

The NDA 2025 Examination will be held in pen and paper mode. The National Defence Academy (NDA) conducts this examination twice a year, in April and September, at the national level. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is responsible for conducting both NDA I and NDA II exams. NDA is one of the most popular exams in India, offering entry into the Indian Military, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force. Candidates who qualify in the written test will be shortlisted for the SSB Interview, which is the final stage of selection.

The selection process is based on performance in both the written test and the SSB Interview. This article provides comprehensive details about NDA 2025, covering the application process, eligibility criteria, examination dates, patterns, and other relevant information. The candidates who apply for this exam will get admission to the Indian Navy, military, and Indian Air Force. The candidates who qualify for the NDA exam will go through different rounds like interviews, medical, etc. 

The application form for this Examination will be released online on the official website. All the willing candidates fill out the application form on the website. All the other details about this exam are given in the article below.

NDA 2025 Quick Links

NDA 2025 Highlights

NDA 2025 Exam Dates

Dates are a critical piece of information for the candidates. Every candidate should go through the events and dates of the exam and ensure they follow every date given in the table. The dates for the NDA 2025 exam are given below. 

NDA 2025 Application Form

The application form for NDA 2025 will be available starting from the third week of December 2024. Prospective candidates must carefully review the official notification to confirm their eligibility before applying for the NDA 2025 exam. The NDA exam is conducted nationwide by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

• The application form for NDA 2025‘s first session will be available from the third week of December 2024, while the second session, it open in the second week of May 2025.
• Candidates can apply online, with the registration process divided into two parts: Part I and Part II.
• Careful attention should be paid to filling out details accurately to avoid mistakes.
• Essential information including educational, personal, and contact details, along with photo identification, must be provided.
• Candidates are required to upload documents such as a photograph and signature in the specified format.
• The deadline for submitting the application form for the first session is expected to be in the first week of January 2025, and for the second session, it’s in the first week of June 2025.
• A limited period will be provided for candidates to make corrections, typically in the second week of January 2025 for the first session of NDA.
• Applicants must ensure they take a printout of the filled application form for future reference during the admission process.
• The registration process for NDA 2025 involves careful attention to detail and adherence to specified deadlines.
• Following these steps diligently is crucial for candidates aspiring to appear for the NDA exam and secure admission.

NDA 2025 Application Fee

The application fee is the next step after filling out the application form. All the applicants applying for this Examination must pay the application fee. It is mandatory to pay the fee. If any candidate fails to pay the fee, they will not be allowed to appear in the exam. 

Candidates can pay the fee for NDA 2025 exam through a different source like a credit card, debit card, net banking, and SBI challan method. The application fee for NDA 2025 is given below. 

NDA 2025 Application Correction

The correction facility for NDA I applicants will be available starting from the second week of January 2025, conducted entirely online. Candidates can make adjustments to their One-Time Registration (OTR) profile, but this privilege is limited to a single modification per candidate throughout their lifetime. Furthermore, the correction window will remain open throughout the year, allowing candidates to rectify errors or update information as needed.

The authority overseeing NDA 2024 will open a correction window specifically for certain details. Once the deadline passes, no further modifications will be permitted in the application form. Candidates are strongly advised to make corrections with utmost care to prevent the rejection of their registration forms. It’s recommended to download the corrected application form and store it securely for future reference.

How to Apply for NDA 2025 Application Form?

Below are the step-by-step instructions for applying to NDA 2025:

• Step 1: Visit the NDA Website – Navigate to the official NDA website using the provided link.
• Step 2: One-Time Registration (OTR) – Click on the “OTR (One Time Registration)” button. Input the requested details accurately.
• Step 3: Login – Log in by clicking the login button. Enter your registration ID and password to access the registration form.
• Step 4: Fill Application Form – Complete the application form in two parts: Part I and Part II.
• Step 5: Provide Details – Carefully fill in all required details, including communication information, qualifications, personal details, and preferred exam center, to avoid errors.
• Step 6: Document Upload – Upload the necessary documents, such as your photograph and signature.
• Step 7: Payment – Proceed to the payment section. Choose your preferred payment method to pay the required fee.
• Step 8: Review – Review all filled details meticulously before final submission of the registration form.
• Step 9: Print Confirmation – Once submitted, take a printout of the form for your records and future reference. Keep it secure for other purposes.

NDA 2025 Eligibility Criteria 

The NDA eligibility criteria outline specific requirements related to age limit, educational qualifications, as well as physical and medical standards. It is essential for candidates interested in the exam to carefully review these eligibility criteria to determine their eligibility. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to the cancellation of a candidate’s candidature at any stage of the recruitment process. Therefore, candidates must thoroughly understand and assess their eligibility before applying for the NDA exam.

Nationality:

• Eligible candidates include Indian citizens and subjects of Nepal.
• Individuals of Indian origin who have migrated from specific countries with the intention of permanent settlement in India are also eligible.
• Gorkha subjects of Nepal must provide a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.

Qualifications:

• For Air Force & Naval Wings (Cadet entry scheme), candidates must have passed the 10th & 12th examinations with PCM as compulsory subjects.
• For the Army Wing or NDA, candidates must have passed the 12th level or its equivalent from a recognized board.
• Candidates appearing for their 12th-class examinations are also eligible to apply.

Other Eligibility:

• Gender: Both unmarried male and female candidates are eligible, with no marriage allowed until completion of training.
• Age: Candidates must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years old.
  • For NDA I, candidates must be born between 2nd July 2006 to 1st July 2009.
  • For NDA II, candidates must be born between 2nd January 2007 to 1st January 2010.
• Medical Fitness: Candidates must meet all medical requirements specified by the authorities.
• Candidates who have resigned or withdrawn from training academies on disciplinary grounds are not eligible to apply.

Fitness Criteria

• Candidates must be physically fit per the standards set by the commission/ authorities.
• Candidates who have withdrawn or resigned from any training academies of the Armed Forces on disciplinary grounds will not be eligible for the NDA 2025 examination.

NDA 2025 Exam Pattern

The exam pattern contains all the essential information related to the Examination. Every candidate should go through this carefully. It contains information like exam duration, language, exam mode, etc. Exam patterns will help you in preparation for the exam. The NDA 2025 exam pattern is given below. 

• Mode of Exam: The exam will be conducted through a pen-paper-based format, not online.
• Types of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) will be asked in the exam.
• Language of Paper: The question paper will be available in both English and Hindi languages.
• Duration: Candidates will be provided a total of 5 hours to solve the paper.
• Sections: The exam will consist of two sections: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).
• Negative Marking: There will be negative marking equivalent to 33% of the assigned marks.

subject wise marks distributions

NDA 2025 Syllabus 

The syllabus is essential for every candidate appearing for this exam. Every candidate should go through the syllabus carefully. To ace the exam, the preparation of the syllabus is essential. 

The NDA syllabus will also be published online. 

Physics Syllabus 

Chemistry 

Science 

History 

Geography 

UPSC NDA Current Affairs Syllabus

NDA Current Affairs syllabus includes topics based on the latest current affairs events of India and the world. 

NDA 2025 Preparation Tips

Prepare effectively for the NDA 2025 examination with these insightful tips aimed at optimizing your study regimen. From understanding the syllabus and creating a structured study plan to staying updated on current affairs and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, these tips are designed to help you succeed in your NDA preparation.

• Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the complete syllabus and exam pattern of NDA 2025 to know what topics to focus on.
• Create a Study Plan: Develop a structured study plan allocating specific time for each subject. This will help in effective time management and covering all subjects thoroughly.
• Practice Regularly: Practice regularly and solve the previous year’s question papers as well as mock tests to get acquainted with the exam format and improve your problem-solving skills.
• Address Weak Areas: Identify your weak areas and make efforts to improve them by dedicating extra time and resources for practice and understanding.
• Stay Updated on Current Affairs: Stay updated on current affairs by reading newspapers, magazines, and online news portals. This will help in enhancing your general knowledge and performing well in the General Ability Test (GAT) section.
• Take Regular Breaks: Take short breaks during study sessions to relax your mind and rejuvenate yourself. Also, remember to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced and healthy diet, exercise regularly, and ensure an adequate amount of sleep. Taking care of your physical health is crucial for maintaining focus and concentration during preparation.

NDA 2025 Books

The candidates who will be appearing for this Examination should prepare from books. There are many other sources for preparation. But it would be best if you first prepared from books only. Books contain all the essential information related to the exam. The NDA 2025 books for 1st session are given below. 

NDA 2025 Exam Centre

The NDA 2025 examination will be conducted across numerous designated exam centres spanning various cities in India. Candidates will have the opportunity to select their preferred exam centre from the available options during the application process. These exam centres ensure accessibility and convenience for candidates appearing for the NDA exam.

NDA 2025 Admit Card

The NDA 2024 Admit card will be made available online starting from the fourth week of March 2025 for session I. Candidates must download their hall tickets a few days before the exam date. Admit cards for NDA 2025 will be accessible only through login credentials. In case of any discrepancies in the details, candidates should promptly request corrections from the authorities.

Candidates will not receive their admit cards via post or any other offline mode. If a candidate does not receive their e-admit card, they must inform the authorities at least one week before the exam date. It is essential to take a printout of the admit card and bring it along with other necessary documents on the day of the exam.

NDA 2025 Answer Key 

Several coaching institutes will release the NDA 2025 Answer Key individually, enabling candidates to estimate their probable scores. These answer keys will be accessible online in PDF format, allowing candidates to calculate their scores. Candidates must understand the marking scheme to accurately calculate their scores using the answer keys.

The Answer Keys for NDA 2025 will be provided for different sets, including Set A, B, C, and D. If candidates have any doubts regarding the answer key, they will have the opportunity to raise objections. Candidates need to download the answer key PDF and retain it for future reference purposes.

NDA 2025 Result 

The NDA 2025 results will be announced via online mode in PDF format. The results for NDA I are expected to be declared in the first week of May 2025, while those for NDA II are anticipated to be announced in September 2025. Eligible candidates will be required to visit the official website to check their NDA 2025 results. Those who have qualified for the examination must register themselves for further procedures within two weeks.

The result for NDA 2025 will be determined based on candidates’ performance in the written examination. Approximately 15 days after the declaration of the result, candidates can expect to receive their mark sheets or scorecards. Qualified candidates will then be eligible to participate in the SSB interview. Candidates need to keep a printout of the result safe for future reference.

NDA 2025 Cut Off 

The cutoff for NDA 2025 will be published online in May 2025. This cutoff represents the minimum marks required for candidates to qualify for the exam. The NDA cutoff for both sessions will be released after the final result is declared. Candidates must secure at least 25% marks in each subject to qualify for the exam.

The NDA cutoff will be determined by various factors, including the number of available seats, the difficulty level of the exam, and the number of aspirants who appeared for the exam. If two candidates score the same marks, tie-breaker rules approved by the authority will be applied to resolve the tie.

NDA 2025 Interview

Candidates who have successfully cleared the written test of NDA 2025 will proceed to the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview process, which marks the final stage of the NDA selection process. Candidates must report as per the time and date specified on the call-up letter for the interview. The selection procedure during the SSB interview will be conducted in two stages: psychological aptitude test and intelligence test.

SSB Interview session will be completed in 4-5 days. Interview sessions will be started in May/ June 2025 for NDA I & NDA II will be started in September/ October 2025. The final selection of the candidates will be done only after the interview rounds. Shortlisted candidates will be required to report at the reporting centre for document verification with required documents.

NDA 2025 FAQs

If you have any other queries about NDA 2025, you can leave your question below in the comment box.

Sunil Kushwaha

As a dedicated Biology Science graduate, I’m passionate about sharing the latest updates in national and state entrance exams through my blog. I aim to keep aspiring students informed about exam trends, important dates, and changes in syllabi. With a keen interest in education, I strive to offer valuable insights for students navigating the competitive landscape of entrance examinations and admission tests. Stay updated with me.