UPSC NDA 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is set to release the NDA 1 2025 notification on December 11, 2024, through its official website. On the same day, the UPSC NDA application form will also be made available at upsconline.nic.in.
Aspirants planning to apply for the UPSC NDA 2025 exam must familiarize themselves with all the essential details before proceeding.
The UPSC NDA 2025 exam aims to recruit candidates for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA). These institutions prepare both men and women to serve as officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. For comprehensive information on the application process, syllabus, exam pattern, and more, refer to the details provided below.
UPSC NDA 2025
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is a premier joint defense training institute that prepares cadets for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Recognized as the world’s first tri-service academy, the NDA equips cadets with foundational training before they proceed to specialized programs to become commissioned officers.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the NDA 1 2025 notification on December 11, 2024, in PDF format. The notification will provide key details such as the application process, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and more.
The UPSC NDA 1 2025 application form will be available from December 11 to December 31, 2024, and the exam is scheduled for April 13, 2025. Candidates who have completed or are appearing in their Class 12 exams are eligible to apply.
For UPSC NDA 2 2025, the notification will be issued on May 28, 2025. The application window for NDA 2 2025 will be open from May 28 to June 17, 2025, with the exam slated to take place on September 14, 2025.
The UPSC NDA exam is conducted to select candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy.
UPSC NDA 2025 Highlights
The UPSC NDA exam is among the most prestigious defense exams in India, offering opportunities for candidates who have completed or are currently appearing in their Class 12 exams to join the armed forces. Below are the key highlights of the UPSC NDA 2025 recruitment process.
| UPSC NDA 2025 Highlights | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC NDA |
| Full Form | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
| Vacancy | To be announced |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam stages |
|
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Language/Medium of Exam | English and Hindi |
| Application fee Prelims | Rs 100 |
UPSC NDA 2025 Notification
The NDA notification is released in PDF format and provides comprehensive details about the exam. It includes important dates, the application process, exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and more. Candidates are advised to thoroughly read the notification before submitting their application.
UPSC NDA 2025 Important Dates
Candidates can refer to the table below for the UPSC NDA 2025 exam dates. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will announce the official dates in the UPSC Exam Calendar 2025. Stay tuned to this page for updates as the important NDA exam dates will be added here once released.
| UPSC NDA 2025 Important Dates | ||
| Events | NDA 1 | NDA 2 |
| NDA exam 2025 notification | December 11, 2024 | May 28, 2025 |
| NDA 1 2025 application form date | December 11, 2024 | May 28, 2025 |
| NDA application form 2025 last date | December 31, 2024 | June 17, 2025 |
| Last date of fee payment online | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
| Last date of offline fee payment | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
| UPSC NDA application form correction window | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
| Admit Card | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
| UPSC NDA 2025 Exam date | April 13, 2025 | September 14, 2025 |
| UPSC NDA result for written test | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
| Final NDA result 2025 | To Be Announced | To Be Announced |
UPSC NDA 2025 Selection Process
The NDA selection process includes two key stages: a written exam and the SSB interview. Successfully passing these stages leads to admission to the National Defence Academy. The UPSC NDA 2025 selection process is thorough and designed to identify candidates fit for the role.
The SSB interview involves psychological assessments, group activities, personal interviews, and officer intelligence tests. This is followed by a detailed medical examination to ensure the candidates meet the required standards.
UPSC NDA 2025 Application Form
The UPSC NDA 2025 application form will be available online on the official UPSC website. Candidates must complete and submit the form within the specified deadline. After the application process ends, UPSC will open a correction window for a limited time to allow candidates to make necessary changes.
Additionally, candidates who wish to withdraw their applications can use the withdrawal facility provided by the Commission.
Follow these steps to complete the NDA 2025 application process:
Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in.
Step 2: Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process.
Step 3: Log in using your registered credentials.
Step 4: Fill out the NDA application form as instructed.
Step 5: Upload the required documents in the specified format.
Step 6: Pay the application fee through the available payment modes.
Step 7: Submit the application form after verifying all details.
UPSC NDA 2025 Eligibility Criteria
The NDA will publish the detailed NDA 2025 eligibility criteria on its official website. Candidates must ensure they meet these requirements before applying for the exam. Failure to fulfill the eligibility criteria at any stage of the process could result in the cancellation of their application.
The UPSC NDA 2025 eligibility criteria are determined based on factors like age, physical measurements, and educational qualifications. While the exam was initially open only to male candidates, a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2021 now allows female candidates to apply as well. Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria for NDA 2025.
| UPSC NDA 2025 Eligibility Criteria | |
| Particulars | Details |
| Age Limit | Candidates must be aged between 16.5 and 19.5 years. |
| Educational Qualification | Army Wing: Class 12/HSC in any stream.
Air Force/ Naval Academy: Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics. |
| Physical Measurements | Army, Navy, Naval Academy: Minimum height of 157 cm.
Air Force: Minimum height of 162.5 cm. |
Candidates should review the official guidelines for more details and ensure they meet all criteria before applying.
UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025
The NDA syllabus for 2025 will be officially released in the notification by UPSC. Candidates are encouraged to review the syllabus thoroughly before starting their preparation. The NDA 2025 exam syllabus is divided into two key sections: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT).
| UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025 | |
| Mathematics Syllabus 2025 | General Ability (GA) Syllabus 2025 |
| Algebra | Part A: English |
| Matrices and Determinants | Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension |
| Trigonometry | Part B: General Knowledge |
| Analytical Geometry (2D and 3D) | Physics |
| Differential Calculus | Chemistry |
| Integral Calculus and Differential Equations | General Science |
| Vector Algebra | History (including freedom movements) |
| Statistics and Probability | Geography |
| Current Events | |
UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2025
The UPSC NDA 2025 exam is held twice a year, with the same syllabus and exam pattern for both attempts. The exam has two main stages: a written test and the SSB interview (which evaluates intelligence and personality).
The written exam takes place in one day and is worth 900 marks. It includes two parts: the Mathematics section, which is worth 300 marks and consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and the General Aptitude Test (GAT), which is worth 600 marks and also features MCQs. Both sections have a penalty of 0.33 marks for incorrect answers.
Candidates who pass the written exam will be invited to attend the SSB interview. This is a five-day, intensive process that assesses the candidate’s suitability for a military career, focusing on intelligence, personality, and leadership qualities.
| UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2025 | ||
| Particulars | NDA Written exam | SSB Interview |
| Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper) | Offline (Group activities and Face to face interview |
| Sections |
|
|
| Duration | 5 hours (2 hours 30 minutes for each section) | 5 days |
| Total marks | 900 marks | 900 marks |
| Total questions | Maths – 120 questions
GAT – 150 questions |
– |
UPSC NDA 2025 Admit Card
The UPSC releases the e-admit card for the NDA 2025 exam 7 days before the test date for candidates who have successfully submitted their application forms. The admit card contains essential details about the candidate.
Candidates can download the UPSC NDA 2025 admit card from the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in. Please note that the admit card will not be mailed and must be downloaded online.
The following are steps to download the UPSC NDA 2025 admit card:
Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
Step 2: Go to the “E-Admit Card” section.
Step 3: Select “National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination.”
Step 4: Enter your registration ID and date of birth.
Step 5: Click on “Download Admit Card.”
Step 6: Save or print your NDA 2025 admit card for future reference.
UPSC NDA 2025 Exam Centres
Candidates who apply for the UPSC NDA 2025 exam will be assigned an exam centre by UPSC. The allotment of exam centres follows a “first-apply, first-allocate” basis. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates apply early to increase their chances of getting their preferred exam centre.
The NDA 2025 exam will be held at nearly 75 cities across India. Once the exam centre is assigned, it cannot be changed, so candidates must ensure all details are accurate before final submission of their application.
UPSC NDA 2025 Answer Key
The UPSC NDA answer key is an essential tool for candidates who have taken the exam, as it provides the official solutions for each section of the NDA 2025 exam. UPSC will release the NDA answer key shortly after the examination.
The answer key allows candidates to check their responses, clarify any doubts, and estimate their scores. If candidates believe there is an error in the official answer key, they can raise objections by following the prescribed UPSC procedures.
UPSC NDA 2025 Cut Off
UPSC will release the NDA 2025 cut off and exam results simultaneously, allowing candidates to check if they have qualified. Candidates who score equal to or above the UPSC NDA cut off will be eligible for the next stage, the SSB interview.
The UPSC determines the NDA cut off based on factors such as the number of candidates appearing for the exam, the exam’s difficulty level, and the overall performance of candidates.
UPSC NDA 2025 Result
The UPSC NDA 2025 results will be released several weeks after the answer key is published. The result will include a list of candidates who have qualified for the next stage and the NDA cut off.
Candidates can check their NDA 2025 result on the official UPSC website. The result will also provide important dates for the upcoming SSB interview round.
UPSC NDA 2025 Salary
The salary of an NDA graduate is attractive and grows as they gain experience. During cadet training, candidates receive a stipend of Rs 56,100. As they progress in their careers, their salary and allowances increase.
In addition to the basic salary, NDA candidates receive various allowances, including Military Service Pay, Dearness Allowance, and Transport Allowance. NDA personnel also enjoy several benefits such as clothing allowances, access to canteen facilities, and medical services.
UPSC NDA 2025 FAQs
Q.1. When will the UPSC NDA 2025 notification be released?
Ans. The UPSC NDA 2025 notification will be released on December 11, 2024.
Q.2. What is the exam date for NDA 1 2025?
Ans. The NDA 1 2025 exam will be held on April 13, 2025.
Q.3. Can female candidates apply for UPSC NDA 2025?
Ans. Yes, female candidates are eligible to apply for the UPSC NDA 2025 exam.
Q.4. How can I download the UPSC NDA 2025 admit card?
Ans. The NDA 2025 admit card can be downloaded from the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
Q.5. What is the stipend during NDA cadet training?
Ans. The stipend during NDA cadet training is Rs 56,100.
