NDA Cut Off 2026: Expected & Previous Year Cut Off

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will make the NDA cut off official after the final results are announced. The NDA 1 2026 test will be on April 12, and the NDA 2 2026 test will be on September 14. The scores needed to pass will be released in October 2026. The official UPSC website shows these marks by category and force.

Candidates must pass two separate tests to get into the academy: the written exam (worth 900 points) and the SSB interview (worth 900 points). The final cutoff for the NDA is based on a total score out of 1800 points. Anyone who wants to pass the NDA exam in 2026 needs to know these minimum marks.

Check Out: NDA Books

NDA Cut Off 2026 (Expected)

While the official figures will be released later, experts predict the NDA cut off for the written exam based on the difficulty level of recent papers and the number of vacancies.

To clear the written stage, candidates generally need to score around 350 to 365 marks out of 900. However, scoring just the NDA passing marks is often not enough to make it into the final merit list; a higher cushion is always recommended.

• Written Exam (Out of 900): 350 - 365 

• Final Merit List (Out of 1800): 700 - 720

• Sectional Qualifying Marks: 25% in each subject

The above cut-off is indicative. 

NDA Cut Off Sectional Wise Passing Marks

One of the most critical aspects of the NDA exam cut off is the sectional limit. UPSC mandates that a candidate must secure at least 25% in each of the two papers to be considered for the overall cut off.

1. Mathematics: You need at least 75 marks out of 300.

2. General Ability Test (GAT): You need at least 150 marks out of 600.

If you score 500 total but fail to get 25% in Mathematics, you will not qualify. This makes the NDA qualifying marks a two-tier challenge: individual subject competence and overall score.

Check Out: NDA/Defence Books

NDA Cut Off for General, OBC, SC, and ST Category

A common question among aspirants is the difference between the NDA cut off for general category and other groups like OBC or SC. It is vital to note that the UPSC does not provide vertical reservation in the NDA written exam cut off.

• The NDA cut off marks for OBC are exactly the same as the General category.

• The NDA SC cut off and ST cut off also remain identical to the General category.

• The selection is based purely on merit, ensuring that every cadet entering the academy meets the same academic standard.

Factors Influencing the NDA Cut Off

Several variables dictate whether the NDA passing marks will rise or fall in a given year.

• Number of Applicants: More candidates usually increases competition, pushing the score higher.

• Difficulty Level: If the Mathematics paper is exceptionally tough, UPSC might lower the overall nda cutoff to ensure enough candidates qualify for the SSB.

• Total Vacancies: The number of seats available for the Army, Navy, and Air Force impacts how many candidates are called for the interview.

• Performance Trends: The average score of the top 10% of candidates is often used to set the qualifying scores.

Previous Years NDA Cut Off

Looking at the last year NDA cut off provides a perspective on how the exam has evolved. Over the last five years, the written cut off has hovered between 310 and 360.

As seen above, the cutoff of NDA is not static. The jump in 2022 suggests that as resources for preparation become more accessible, students are scoring higher, making it necessary to aim for at least 380+ in the written exam for a safe margin.

Check Out: NDA NA 23 Previous Years Solved Papers

How to Calculate Your NDA Score?

Before the official results, you can estimate your performance using the UPSC answer key.

• Mathematics: Multiply correct answers by 2.5 and subtract 0.83 for every wrong answer.

• GAT: Multiply correct answers by 4 and subtract 1.33 for every wrong answer.

• Total Score: Sum the results of both papers to see if you meet the minimum marks to qualify NDA.

The Final Merit List of NDA Cut Off

The journey doesn't end at the written exam. The NDA exam cut off for the final merit list is calculated out of 1800 marks (900 from the written test + 900 from the SSB Interview).

To ensure your name appears in the final joining instructions, you should aim for a final score of at least 710+. While the NDA passing marks get you to the interview, your performance in the SSB determines your recommendation.

The NDA cutoff for 2026 is expected to remain competitive. Aspirants should focus on balancing their preparation between Mathematics and GAT to ensure they meet the 25% sectional NDA qualifying marks. By keeping an eye on the last year NDA cut off, you can strategise your attempt to not just clear the exam but to rank high in the merit list.

Read More: NDA Selection Process Steps

NDA Cut Off 2026 FAQs

Q1. What is the expected NDA cutoff for 2026?

The expected written nda cutoff is predicted to be between 350 and 365 marks out of 900, depending on the paper difficulty.

Q2. Are there separate NDA cutoff marks for OBC or SC students?

No, UPSC maintains a uniform NDA cut off for general category, OBC, and NDA SC cut off candidates. There is no category-based relaxation for the written exam scores.

Q3. What are the NDA passing marks out of 900 for the written test?

While the total NDA passing marks vary, you must score at least 25% in both Mathematics (75 marks) and GAT (150 marks) to qualify.

Q4. Where can I check the official cutoff of NDA?

The official NDA exam cut off is released by the UPSC on their official website (upsc.gov.in) after the final results of the recruitment cycle are declared.

Q5. Is clearing the written NDA qualifying marks enough for selection?

No, clearing the written minimum marks to qualify NDA only makes you eligible for the SSB interview. You must also pass the SSB and maintain a high aggregate score for the final merit list.