NDA Exam Pattern 2025 Marking Scheme and Negative Mark

NDA Exam Pattern 2025:- The NDA exam pattern 2025 consists of two main stages: a written exam and the SSB interview. The written exam is conducted for all registered candidates and includes two subjects, Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). As per the NDA paper pattern, the NDA exam 2025 comprises a total of 270 questions, carrying a maximum of 900 marks. Candidates must secure a minimum of 25% in each section, along with the overall cut-off marks, to qualify. Additionally, negative marking applies for incorrect answers, and all questions are objective-type.
Candidates who clear the written exam proceed to the SSB interview, which is conducted in two stages. The first stage includes the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) and Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PP & DT), while the second stage consists of psychological tests and the conference round. The SSB interview is also scored out of 900 marks. To qualify, candidates must meet the cut-off marks set by UPSC for both the written exam and the interview. Check out the below article for NDA Exam Pattern 2025 including Marking Scheme and Negative Marking.
NDA Exam Pattern 2025 Overview
Check out the NDA Exam Pattern 2025 Overview below:-
Particulars |
Details |
Exam Mode |
Offline |
Number of Papers |
GAT and Mathematics |
Duration of Test |
GAT: 2 ½ hours | Mathematics: 2 ½ hours |
Exam Time |
GAT: 10 AM – 12:30 PM | Mathematics: 2 PM – 4:30 PM |
Number of Questions |
GAT: 150 | Mathematics: 120 |
Language of Question Paper |
English and Hindi |
Total Marks |
Written Exam: 900 (GAT: 600, Mathematics: 300) | SSB Interview: 900 |
NDA Written Exam Pattern 2025
The NDA exam pattern includes two subjects in the written test: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The exam is conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper format. Candidates can find detailed insights into both subjects below:-
Papers |
Subject |
Maximum marks |
Duration |
Paper 1 |
Mathematics |
300 |
2 ½ |
Paper 2 |
GAT |
600 |
2 ½ |
Total |
900 |
5 hours |
Check Out: NDA Mock Test + PYQs
NDA Marking Scheme
The NDA exam pattern includes negative marking, where 1/3rd of the marks allotted to each question is deducted for every incorrect answer. However, no marks are deducted for unanswered questions. Check out the marking scheme of NDA below:-
Particulars |
Details |
Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Exam Mode |
Offline (Pen & Paper) |
Question Type |
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) |
Language of Exam |
English and Hindi |
Sections |
Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) |
Mathematics Section |
Total Questions: 120 | Total Marks: 300 | Marking Scheme: +2.5 for correct answer, -0.83 for incorrect answer |
General Ability Test (GAT) |
Total Questions: 150 | Total Marks: 600 |
GAT Breakdown |
English: 50 Questions (200 Marks) | General Knowledge: 100 Questions (400 Marks) |
Marking Scheme for GAT |
+4 for correct answer, -1.33 for incorrect answer |
NDA Negative Mark 2025
Go through the negative marking in NDA details below:-
Subject |
NDA Negative Marking |
GAT |
-1 |
Maths |
-0.83 |
NDA SSB Interview Pattern 2025
Candidates who qualify for the written exam and meet the eligibility criteria for NDA and NA are invited for the SSB interview, conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). A call letter is issued with essential details such as the interview date, time, and venue. The NDA SSB interview consists of two stages:
-
Stage 1: Intelligence Test and Psychological Aptitude Test. Only those who pass this stage proceed to the next round.
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Stage 2: Additional psychological assessments and interviews.
-
The entire SSB selection process spans around five days. Candidates applying for the Air Force must also qualify for the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) to be eligible.
Check out: NDA Sample Papers
NDA Document Verification
A very important step in the NDA selection process is document checking. Candidates who pass the written exam and are selected for the SSB interview must bring their original documents for verification. The required documents are:
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Education Certificates: 10th and 12th class mark sheets.
-
Caste Certificate: For reserved category candidates.
-
Identity Proof: Any government-issued ID.
-
Address Proof: A document that shows where you live.
Read More: Is NDA Exam Tough for Freshers?
NDA Exam Pattern 2025 FAQs
1. What is the exam mode of the NDA 2025 exam?
The NDA exam is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper-based test).
2. How many papers are there in the NDA written exam?
There are two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).
3. What is the total duration of the NDA written exam?
The Mathematics paper is 2.5 hours and the GAT paper is 2.5 hours, making the total exam duration 5 hours.
4. How many questions are there in the NDA written exam?
The NDA written exam has 270 questions in total:
-
Mathematics: 120 questions
-
GAT: 150 questions
5. What is the total marks of the NDA exam?
The NDA exam is 900 marks, with:
-
Mathematics: 300 marks
-
GAT: 600 marks
-
The SSB Interview is also for 900 marks, making the total 1800 marks.


