The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), serves as a critical gateway for aspiring candidates seeking entry into the Indian Armed Forces. The NDA 2 2025 examination was held on September 14, 2025, comprising two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (GAT, 600 marks), for a total of 900 marks in the written stage. This is followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, contributing an additional 900 marks, resulting in a combined total of 1,800 marks for final selection.
With approximately 410 vacancies announced for the year, including allocations for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy, the competition remains intense. As of September 16, 2025, official cut-off marks have not yet been released, as results are typically declared in November. However, based on expert analyses, exam difficulty, and historical trends, expected cut-off marks provide valuable insights for candidates evaluating their performance.
Understanding Cut-Off Marks in NDA
Cut-off marks represent the minimum scores required to qualify for the next stage of selection. For the written examination, candidates must secure at least 25% in each subject (75 marks in Mathematics and 150 marks in GAT) to be eligible, though the overall cut-off is determined by UPSC to shortlist candidates for SSB. The final cut-off incorporates SSB performance and medical fitness. These thresholds are influenced by various factors and are not category-specific for qualifying but may vary in reservation contexts for final merit lists. Expected cut-offs help candidates gauge their chances early, particularly given the exam’s objective nature and the large applicant pool, estimated at over 5 lakh annually.
NDA 2 2025 Exam Analysis
The NDA 2 2025 examination was conducted in two shifts: Mathematics from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and GAT from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Overall, the papers were assessed as moderate in difficulty, with Mathematics leaning toward moderate-to-difficult and GAT maintaining a balanced moderate level. This assessment aligns with feedback from coaching institutes and candidate reviews.
Mathematics Paper
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult, with emphasis on conceptual understanding.
- Key Topics: Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, and Vector Algebra dominated, comprising a significant portion of the 120 questions (2.5 marks each).
- Good Attempts: 60-65 questions with high accuracy (approximately 150-162 marks) are considered competitive.
General Ability Test (GAT)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate, testing a broad knowledge base.
- Key Topics: Physics (25%), Chemistry (15%), General Science (10%), History and Geography (40% combined), and Current Affairs (10-15%). The English section focused on spotting errors, comprehension, synonyms/antonyms, and idioms/phrases (50 questions, 4 marks each).
- Good Attempts: 85-95 questions (approximately 340-380 marks) with 90% accuracy.
The moderate difficulty suggests that cut-offs may remain stable or slightly higher than recent years, as fewer candidates might achieve exceptionally high scores compared to easier exams.
Expected Cut-Off Marks for NDA 2 2025
Drawing from post-exam analyses by educational platforms and coaching experts, the expected cut-off for the written examination ranges between 300 and 360 marks out of 900, with a consensus around 310-315 marks. This variation accounts for differing estimates based on observed attempts and accuracy levels. For the final selection, including SSB, the threshold is projected at 705-720 marks out of 1,800.
| Stage | Expected Cut-Off Marks | Out of Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 310-315 (Range: 300-360) | 900 |
| Final Selection (Written + SSB) | 705-720 | 1,800 |
Note: These are preliminary estimates and subject to official confirmation. Minimum qualifying marks remain 25% per subject (75 in Mathematics, 150 in GAT). No separate section-wise cut-offs beyond the minimum are applied, but overall performance in GAT’s sub-sections (e.g., English vs. GK) can influence qualification.
Previous Years’ Cut-Off Marks
Historical data provides a benchmark for expectations. Cut-offs have fluctuated due to exam difficulty and vacancy numbers, showing a general downward trend in recent years for written exams, possibly attributable to increased competition and varying paper standards. Below is a table summarizing written and final cut-offs for NDA 1 and NDA 2 from 2018 to 2024.
| Year | NDA 1 Written (Out of 900) | NDA 1 Final (Out of 1,800) | NDA 2 Written (Out of 900) | NDA 2 Final (Out of 1,800) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 291 | Not Released | 305 (Expected) | Not Released |
| 2023 | 301 | 721 | 292 | 656 |
| 2022 | 360 | 709 | 316 | 719 |
| 2021 | 343 | 709 | 355 | 719 |
| 2020 | 355 | 723 | 355 | 719 |
| 2019 | 342 | 705 | 346 | 709 |
| 2018 | 338 | 708 | 325 | 624 |
Sources indicate that the 2025 written cut-off may align closely with 2024’s NDA 2 (305 marks), potentially rising slightly due to moderate difficulty and stable vacancies.
Factors Influencing Cut-Off Marks
Several elements determine the final cut-offs:
- Number of Candidates and Vacancies: With 410 vacancies (208 Army, 42 Navy, 92 Air Force Flying, etc.), and an estimated high appearance rate, competition intensifies. Unfilled prior vacancies can marginally elevate thresholds.
- Exam Difficulty: The moderate 2025 papers suggest cut-offs similar to or above 2024 levels, unlike easier exams that lower them (e.g., 2023’s 292).
- Candidate Performance: Good attempts in high-weightage sections like English (200 marks in GAT) and Mathematics can shift overall scores.
- Normalization and Trends: UPSC applies no normalization but considers historical data; recent trends show a slight annual increase in qualifying percentages.
Candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) benefit from relaxed standards in final merit but must meet the general written qualifying criteria.
Conclusion
The expected cut-off for NDA 2 2025 underscores the exam’s competitiveness, with written thresholds around 310-315 marks positioning candidates for SSB success. Aspiring officers should focus on comprehensive preparation, including current affairs and physical fitness, while monitoring the official UPSC website for result announcements and precise cut-offs. This updated analysis, based on immediate post-exam evaluations, offers a reliable guide amid the anticipation for formal outcomes. Success in NDA demands not only academic prowess but also resilience and strategic planning.
