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NDA Exam Pattern 2025: Total Marks and Distribution

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NDA Exam Pattern 2025: Do you wish to join the Indian Armed Forces as an officer? You must be familiar with the UPSC NDA exam pattern in order to pass. There are two parts to this NDA Exam: the written exam and the SSB interview.

The written test is divided into two subjects, Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Both sections of the written exam contain objective-style questions. You will have to answer 270 questions in total, including 120 in maths and 150 in the GAT. Achieving the 25% threshold in each segment is important since there are 900 total marks at stake.

Clearing the NDA cut-off marks is a requirement set by UPSC if you want to pass the written test and advance to the SSB interview. Analyze the latest NDA exam pattern to ensure that you are well-prepared for NDA 2025. This article discusses the exam structure, time duration and other aspects.

Attempt UPSC NDA Mock Test now and boost your preparation level!

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Key Highlights of NDA Exam Pattern 2025

The NDA exam pattern serves as a guide for students, providing crucial details on the structure and organization of the exam. Knowing the highlights of the NDA test pattern will help you maximize your study strategy and increase your chances of passing this fiercely competitive exam. A total of 1800 marks are used in the selection procedure. The ultimate decision will be dependent on how well each candidate does in each of the two phases, which are each worth 900 marks.

NDA Exam Pattern Overview 2025
The total duration of the test
  • GAT: 2 ½ hours
  • Mathematics: 2 ½ hours
Total number of questions asked
  • GAT: 150
  • Mathematics: 120
Time of the Exam
  • GAT: 10 am to 12.30 pm
  • Mathematics: 2 pm to 4.30 pm
The language used in the exam
  • English
  • Hindi
Total number of papers
  • GAT
  • Mathematics
Total marks for the exam
  • Written Exam: 900 (600 for GAT and 300 for Mathematics)
  • SSB Interview: 900
Mode of the Exam Offline

Check How to crack NDA exam on first attempt here.

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NDA 2025 Written Exam Pattern: Distribution and Marking Scheme

The NDA exam pattern overview for 2025 includes information on the length, time, language, total number of papers and total marks. Candidates should go through the complete exam pattern for more information about the offline exam.

The Maths and GAT papers make up the NDA written test. The GAT  will be conducted for 600 marks, while the Maths exam is for 300 marks. Both papers have a 150-minute/2.5-hour time limit.

Papers Subject Maximum marks Duration Marking per Question Negative marking per Question
Paper 1 Mathematics 300 150 minutes 2.5 1/3 of the marks allotted for the question
Paper 2 General Ability Test 600 150 minutes 4
  • It will consist of objective-type questions.
  • Question booklets of both papers will be bilingual ie, both in English as well as Hindi.
  • No help will be allowed from a scribe to write answers for them. Candidate is expected to write their own papers.

To get the detailed UPSC NDA Exam Date, candidates can visit the linked article.

NDA Exam Pattern 2025: Topic-Wise Distribution of Questions

Understanding the topic-wise allocation of questions is quiet important for successful preparation for the NDA exam. Candidates will encounter various subjects and topics in the NDA Exam Pattern 2025. The table below breaks down the distribution of questions across multiple topics, allowing you to plan your study time accordingly. 

  • Knowing the topic-wise distribution helps you to prioritize your preparation. 
  • It allows you to focus on areas with higher weightage and guarantee a complete understanding of the topics covered in the exam.

Here is the topic-wise distribution of questions for NDA Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT):

Maths Marks Distribution in NDA Exam 2025

The table below outlines the distribution of marks for a maths exam. The exam is divided into different sections, each focusing on specific topics. Here is a breakdown of the marks distribution:

Section Topic Total Questions
Mathematics Calculus 35
Probability 10
Algebra 30
Matrices and Determinants 10
Trigonometry 20
Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions 25
Total 120

GAT Marks Distribution in NDA Exam 2025

The below table outlines the distribution of marks for the GAT in two sections: English and General Knowledge. Here is a breakdown of the marks distribution for each section:

Section Topic Total Questions
GAT English
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • Antonyms
  • Synonyms
  • Spotting Errors
  • Cloze Comprehension
  • Ordering of Sentences
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • 10
  • 10
  • 10
  • 20
  • 20
  • 25
  • 25
  • 30
GAT General Knowledge
  • Chemistry
  • General Science
  • History, Freedom Movement, etc.
  • Geography
  • Current Events
Not available
Total 150

To get the detailed UPSC NDA Selection Process, candidates can visit the linked article.

Understanding NDA Marking Scheme: How Your Answers Are Evaluated

The NDA marking scheme remains similar every year unless notified in advance. The 2025 NDA Exam has two sections: mathematics and general ability.

  • There will be a total of 120 questions valued at 300 marks in the Mathematics section.
  • For each incorrect answer, 0.33 points will be deducted.
  • The general ability test will contain 600 marks, with 200 marks going to English and 400 marks going to General Knowledge.
  • There will be 150 questions in this section, 50 in English and 100 in General Knowledge.
  • For each incorrect answer, 0.33 marks will be deducted. Unanswered questions will not earn any grade.
NDA Written Exam Marking Scheme
Section General Ability Test Maths
Total number of questions 150 120
Total marks provided 600 300
Marks given to each correct answer 4 2.5
negative mark given for each wrong answer 1/3 of the marks allotted for the question

Passing Marks in NDA:

  • Candidates need to score a minimum of around 25% marks in each subject to clear the NDA Written Examination.
  • Passing marks are crucial for qualifying in both the written exam and the SSB interview.

NDA SSB Interview: Passing Marks and Evaluation Process

  • In the SSB Interview, there are three assessors, and each will assess from 300 marks.
  • Candidates need to score a minimum of 90 marks from each assessor to pass.
  • The total marks of SSB is 900, divided into four parts: Psychology, GTO, Interview, and conference round.
  • Each test phase carries 225 marks, and candidates need to score at least 90 marks in each phase to receive a "Yes" from the assessors.

Mathematics Passing Marks in NDA Exam:

  • Mathematics is an essential subject in the NDA exam.
  • Candidates need to score a minimum of 25% marks in each paper, including Mathematics, to qualify for the NDA written exam prescribed by UPSC.
  • Focusing on Mathematics preparation is crucial to secure the minimum passing marks and ensure overall success in the written exam.

NDA Negative Marking: Impact of Wrong Answers

For wrong answers, NDA uses negative marking, taking away 1/3 of the total marks for each question. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.

Subject NDA Negative Marking
GAT -1.33
Maths -0.83

Insights Into NDA SSB Interview Pattern 2025

After a candidate qualifies for the written examination, he is eligible for the second and the last phase of the recruitment ie: the SSB Interview Round. In this examination, a candidate will go through two stages; stage 1 will be a screening test and stage 2 will include Interview skills, Psychological abilities, and Group Performance will be assessed by the Selection Board. This examination will hold 900 marks.

NDA Exam Pattern for SSB Round 2025
Stage Test Type Duration Maximum Marks
Stage 1 Screening Test
  • Verbal and non-verbal tests
  • Picture Perception and Discussion test (PPDT)
900
Stage 2 Psychological Test
  • Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
  • Word Association Test (WAT)
  • Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
  • Self Description Test (SD)
Group Testing Officers Test
  • Group Discussion (GD)
  • Group Planning Exercise (GPE)
  • Progressive Group Task (PGT)
  • Half Group Task (HGT)
  • Individual Obstacles Tasks (IoT)
  • Command Task
  • Snake race/Group Obstacle Race
  • Lecturette
  • Final Group Task
Personal Interview
Conference

Check out the NDA Cut Off details here.

NDA Syllabus 2025: Complete Subject-Wise Guide

Now that you are well aware of the exam pattern, also have a sneak peek of the UPSC NDA Syllabus. The syllabus for NDA Exams remains unchanged every year. The syllabus will help you understand the topics and plan your studies and time for each section accordingly. Go through the NDA syllabus given below for the stages that will help you to prepare better.

To get the detailed UPSC NDA Books to prepare the syllabus topics, candidates can visit the linked article.

Papers NDA Written Exam Subjects Topics
Paper-I (300 marks) Mathematics
  • Algebra
  • Matrices & Determinants
  • Trigonometry
  • Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions
  • Differential Calculus
  • Integral Calculus
  • Vector Algebra
  • Statistics & Probability
Paper II (600 marks) General Ability Test Part A: General English
  • Grammar and Usage
  • Vocabulary Comprehension
General Ability Test Part B: General Knowledge
  • Physics
  • History
  • Chemistry
  • General Science
  • Current Events
  • Geography

 

Also, Check NDA Application Form here

Important Topics for NDA 2025 Exam Preparation

Mathematics is one of the important parts of the NDA Exam. The mathematics questions in the NDA syllabus are structured to determine a candidate's ability to calculate. The questions are primarily for the Class 10, 11, and 12 classes. Candidates should plan the following topics for the Mathematics section.

  • Geometry
  • Trigonometry
  • Algebra
  • Arithmetic
  • Mensuration
  • Statistics etc.

Questions from English and General Knowledge are included in the GAT section of the NDA question paper. Candidates must concentrate on their grammar, comprehension, and reading skills in the English portion. Candidates can concentrate on current issues, physics, chemistry, general science, history, and other subjects of General Knowledge.

Read about NDA physical training here.

NDA (2) Exam 2025: Types of Questions

NDA will primarily consist of questions from two sections: mathematics and general ability. The majority of the questions will be at the 10+2 level.

  • Candidates must study Arithmetic, Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, and other mathematics subjects extensively.
  • It is critical to prepare thoroughly for both the subsections of the general ability section, namely English and General Knowledge.
  • Candidates must concentrate on their spelling, comprehension, and reading skills for the English portion.
  • Current affairs, physics, chemistry, general science, history, and other subjects can all be asked in the general knowledge section.

Read about How to prepare for the NDA exam in one month here.

NDA 2 Exam Guidelines 2025: Instructions and Preparation Strategies

The exam guidelines for NDA Examination remain unchanged every year.

  • Do not use the calculator for making calculations in the exams.
  • The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited.
  • You can take a clipboard for keeping the sheet inside the exam hall
  • The rough sheet will be provided for all the calculations
  • Use a blue and black ball pen to write your answers
  • No chits or books to be carried along. Cheating will lead to the disqualification of the candidate

NDA Exam 2025: Highest Marks Achieved and Records

The National Defence Academy (NDA) exams witness varying highest scores achieved by the toppers every year. Here are some notable performers from recent NDA exams, along with their respective scores out of 1800 marks:

Exam (Year) Name of Topper Marks
NDA 1 2021 Omkar Asutosh 1116
NDA 2 2021 Arsh Pandey 1060
NDA 1 2020 Ronit Ranjan Nayak 1003
NDA 2 2020 Aditya Singh Rana 1116
NDA 2 2019 Aditya Arya 1051

It is important to bear in mind that the cutoff marks for NDA exams typically hover around 25% for each subject. Candidates can take this information as a motivation to prepare well for the exams. 

Start preparing now with our Free Android App where you will find all the study material for many government exams. Download the Testbook App Now!

Latest NDA Updates

->UPSC NDA Application Correction Window is open from 7th July to 9th July 2025.

->UPSC had extended the UPSC NDA 2 Registration Date till 20th June 2025.

-> A total of 406 vacancies have been announced for NDA 2 Exam 2025.

->The NDA exam date 2025 has been announced. The written examination will be held on 14th September 2025.

-> The selection process for the NDA exam includes a Written Exam and SSB Interview.

-> Candidates who get successful selection under UPSC NDA will get a salary range between Rs. 15,600 to Rs. 39,100. 

-> Candidates must go through the NDA previous year question paper. Attempting the NDA mock test is also essential. 

NDA Exam Pattern FAQs

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