What is the Cut Off for NDA?

The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is one of the most prestigious entrance examinations in India for candidates who want to join the Indian Armed Forces- Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exam is administered twice annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and it examines the intellectual and academic abilities of the candidates in two significant papers, namely, Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).

All the candidates have a dream to pass the NDA exam and get a place in the academy at Khadakwasla in Pune. However, the most common question that is asked is - What is the cut-off in NDA? The cut-off is very important for the aspirants to have realistic goals, to plan the preparation strategy, and to track the progress.

What is NDA Cut Off?

The NDA Cut Off is the minimum qualifying marks that a candidate should score to qualify for the written exam and proceed further to the SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview round. The cut off is announced independently on the written test and final selection (which comprises both the written score and SSB interview score).

UPSC determines the cut-off marks, and these cut-off marks differ in every exam, depending on various factors, including:

• Exam level of difficulty

• The number of candidates who appear in total

• Vacancies number

• Mean performance of the aspirants

What is the Expected NDA Cut Off of this Year?

Although the real cut-off of a certain year can only be determined once the result of the exam is announced, through the trend of the past years, an expert can give a realistic estimate. This is the general estimate of the expected cutoff of the NDA exam held recently:

The cut off is subject to change depending on the actual difficulty level of the paper. Aspirants are advised to aim at scoring well above the predicted cut off for a safe margin.

Read More: Is NDA 1 Harder than NDA 2?

What is the Subject-Wise Cut Off for NDA?

Although UPSC does not formally publish subject-wise cut off marks, it is common knowledge that the cut off marks to pass the Mathematics subject is 25 percent (i.e. 75 out of 300 marks) and also that the cut off marks to pass the GAT section is also 25 percent (i.e. 150 of 600 marks). You may be disqualified in case you do not get the minimum marks in either section, despite you scoring higher than the overall cut off.

Here is a quick breakdown:

What Score is Considered Safe in NDA?

The NDA written test score of above 380-400 marks is usually taken as a safe score because you are assured of a high score over the cut-off. The higher the score, the better your chances of getting called to the SSB interview and finally clearing the final merit list.

In order to attain this standard, one has to practice questions of the best book of NDA, solve last years questions as well as attempt a systematic question bank of NDA. Regular evaluation of the level of preparation is also advised by taking mock tests on the basis of the actual pattern of exams.

How to Analyze Your Chances Based on Cut Cut-Off?

Let's understand with an example:

Suppose you score:

• Mathematics: 110/300

• GAT: 240/600

• Total: 350/900

So, suppose the written cut off of that year is 340 and you have scored 350 and you have also scored above 25 percent in all the sections, then you have passed the SSB interview.

But to pass the final NDA cut off, you should also excel in the SSB interview. Suppose that you score 340/900 in SSB, your final score will be:

350 (written) + 340 (SSB) = 690

If the final cut off that year is 705, you may miss the selection. This is why aiming for the highest possible marks in both phases is essential.

Why Does the NDA Cut Off Vary Every Year?

The NDA cut off is not fixed and depends on several dynamic factors such as:

• Difficulty of the paper: A tougher paper usually leads to a lower cut off, and vice versa.

• Number of applicants: If more students perform well, the cut off may go up.

• Number of seats available: If fewer seats are available, competition increases and so does the cut off.

• Performance of candidates: The overall average performance of the test-taking group influences the cut off.

This dynamic nature of the NDA exam is why aspirants need to go beyond the bare minimum and aim for excellence.

What Should Be My Strategy to Clear the Cut Off?

To ensure that you’re comfortably clearing the NDA cut off, your strategy must be well-structured:

• Start your preparation early with proper NDA NA book material.

• Focus on conceptual clarity in Mathematics and Science fundamentals.

• Strengthen English grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.

• Stay updated with Current Affairs and general knowledge topics by reading the newspaper and reliable GK resources.

• Regularly solve previous year question papers using an NDA PYQ book.

• Maintain a test-taking schedule with weekly mock tests using a comprehensive NDA question bank.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is there any sectional cut off in the NDA exam?

Yes. A candidate must score at least 25% marks in each section (Maths and GAT) to be considered qualified.

Q2. Do the NDA cut off marks include negative marking?

Yes. The scores used to determine the cut off already account for negative marking, which is 1/3rd of the marks per wrong answer.

Q3. Can a candidate reappear if they fail to meet the cut off?

Absolutely. There’s no limit to the number of attempts for NDA, as long as you fall within the age eligibility criteria (generally 16.5 to 19.5 years).

Comparison of Cut Offs with Number of Vacancies

Here's how the NDA cut offs align with the number of vacancies in each cycle:

This data shows how cut offs tend to slightly fluctuate even if the number of vacancies remains the same, further confirming the role of exam difficulty and average performance.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the NDA cut off is critical for every aspirant aiming to join the armed forces. It not only gives you a target to aim for but also helps in planning a smarter preparation strategy. While it’s important to keep track of expected and previous year cut offs, it’s equally essential to ensure that you’re consistently performing well across all subjects.

Study with dedication using reliable resources like the best book for NDA, past year papers through an NDA PYQ book, and structured practice using an NDA question bank. Remember, cut offs are just numbers — with the right preparation, you can surpass them with confidence and step closer to your dream of serving the nation.