Are you worried about the NDA cutoff marks 2026? You should be. The UPSC NDA exam has seen dramatic swings lately—plummeting from a high of 360 marks in 2022 to a surprising low of 291 in NDA 1 2024. For the 4 lakh+ aspirants dreaming of the uniform, clearing this minimum qualifying score is the only gateway to the SSB interview. But relying on luck isn’t enough. This guide analyzes 5 years of official UPSC data to reveal the expected 2026 merit scores, hidden trends, and a calculated “safe score” strategy. Read on to discover exactly how many marks you need to guarantee your selection.
Understanding NDA Cut-Off: Written vs Final Selection
NDA qualifying marks are decided in two stages: the written exam cutoff and the final selection cutoff based on SSB performance. The written exam carries 900 marks in total, with 300 marks for Mathematics and 600 marks for GAT, and the NDA written exam result cutoff simply tells you whether you are eligible to appear for the SSB interview.
After SSB, UPSC prepares the final merit list out of 1800 marks by adding 900 marks from the written exam and 900 marks from the SSB interview, and the final cutoff is the score of the last recommended candidate. On top of this, a strict sectional cutoff applies: usually 25% in each paper, meaning at least 75 marks in Maths and 150 in GAT, so even a 450+ total cannot save you if you fail to clear these minimums.
| Stage | Total Marks | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | 900 | Qualify for SSB |
| Final Selection | 1800 | Get NDA admission |
NDA Previous Year Cut-Off Analysis (2019-2025)
NDA previous year cutoff trends reveal shocking fluctuations that every aspirant must understand for smart preparation. Recent data from 2024-2025 shows a dramatic drop: NDA 1 2025 written cutoff hit 305 marks (final 673, 25% sectional minimum), matching NDA 2 2024 at 305 written (final 673, 25% sectional), while NDA 1 2024 plunged to a record low of 291 written (final 654, 20% sectional)—the lowest in recent history due to tougher papers and higher competition.
Moving to 2022-2023, cutoffs stabilized higher: NDA 1 2023 scored 301 written (final 664, 25% sectional) and NDA 2 2023 at 292 written (final 656, 20% sectional). The peak came in NDA 1 2022 with 360 written (final 720, 25% sectional)—highest recent written cutoff—while NDA 2 2022 was 316 written (final data unavailable). Earlier, NDA 1 2021 (343/709) and NDA 2 2021 (355/726) showed consistent strength.
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Pre-2023 patterns confirm higher benchmarks: 2020 sessions hovered around 355 written (finals 719-726), and 2019 saw NDA 1 at 342/704, NDA 2 at 346/709. Official UPSC data proves pre-2023 cutoffs stayed in the 340-360 range, but recent exams demand adaptive strategies amid volatility.
| Exam | Written Cutoff (900) | Final Cutoff (1800) | Sectional % |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA 1 2025 | 305 | 673 | 25% |
| NDA 2 2024 | 305 | 673 | 25% |
| NDA 1 2024 | 291 | 654 | 20% |
| NDA 1 2023 | 301 | 664 | 25% |
| NDA 2 2023 | 292 | 656 | 20% |
| NDA 1 2022 | 360 | 720 | 25% |
NDA 2026 Expected Cut-Off Range (NDA 1 & NDA 2)
For NDA 1 2026 expected cutoff, experts predict a written exam range of 365-380 marks (out of 900) and final selection around 700-720 marks (out of 1800), based on recent stabilization near 300-310 marks with post-pandemic normalization driving scores higher. Assuming moderate difficulty like 2024-25 patterns, this range offers a realistic target for the NDA merit list preparation.
NDA 2 2026 is forecasted slightly lower at 360-375 marks written and 695-715 marks final, following historical trends where NDA 2 trails NDA 1 by 5-10 marks. Despite larger candidate pools, vacancy distribution remains similar (around 400 seats), maintaining competitive balance for SSB qualifiers.
Also Know:
Key influencing factors include exam difficulty—easy papers push cutoffs to 360+ while tough ones drop to 290-310; 4-5 lakh applicants vying for limited seats; female candidate inclusion (no separate cutoff but vacancy shifts); and 25% sectional cutoff as UPSC standard. “Based on 10-year analysis, we expect written cutoff around 370±15 marks,” says a top defence coaching expert.
Category-Wise Cut-Off: SC, ST, OBC, General, Female
Critical fact for NDA category wise cutoff searches: UPSC does NOT release separate cutoffs for SC, ST, OBC, General, or EWS categories. Unlike UPSC CSE or NEET with reservation quotas, NDA operates a single unified cutoff system—all candidates compete on equal merit from one pool during the written exam stage, ensuring pure performance-based qualification.
Female candidates NDA eligibility changed dramatically with the Supreme Court 2021 ruling allowing women entry, but they face the same cutoff marks as males with no separate “female cutoff.” In NDA 1 2024, 29 female seats were allocated across wings out of 400 total vacancies, selected strictly on merit from the common pool.
| Wing | Total Seats | Female Seats | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 208 | 10 | Same |
| Navy | 42 | 6 | Same |
| Air Force (Flying) | 92 | 2 | Same |
| Naval Academy | 30 | 9 | Same |
| Total | 400 | 29 | 291 (written) |
Regional vs National Cut-Off: Does State Quota Exist?
Myth buster for “NDA state wise cutoff” searches: No regional or state-wise cutoffs exist in NDA. As a national-level examination conducted by UPSC, candidates from Kashmir to Kanyakumari face the same uniform cutoff across India—no domicile certificate or state quota advantage applies.
Unlike CLAT (50% state quota in some NLUs) or NEET (85% state quota), NDA follows 100% national merit selection. Your home state does NOT affect your cutoff, written exam result, or selection chances—pure performance decides your SSB call.
NDA SSB Interview Cut-Off & Final Merit Calculation
The NDA SSB cutoff forms through a structured 900-mark assessment equal to the written exam, divided into four equal components (225 marks each). Psychology Tests cover TAT, WAT, SRT, and SDT to evaluate OLQs; GTO Tasks include group discussions, obstacle courses, and command tasks testing teamwork; Personal Interview is a one-on-one with the interviewing officer assessing clarity; and Conference Round provides final assessment by all assessors.
Final merit list calculation totals Written Exam (900) + SSB Interview (900) = 1800 marks. Example: 380 written + 320 SSB = 700 total (near cutoff range). NDA 1 2025’s last recommended candidate scored 673 marks final (~305 written + ~368 SSB breakdown). Target 350-400 SSB marks for safe final selection and strong NDA merit list positioning.
| SSB Phase | Marks | Key Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology Tests | 225 | OLQ personality traits |
| GTO Tasks | 225 | Leadership & teamwork |
| Personal Interview | 225 | Communication & clarity |
| Conference | 225 | Final board decision |
| Total SSB | 900 | Combined assessment |
Safe Score Strategy: How to Calculate Your Target
NDA safe score calculation means targeting 50-80 marks ABOVE expected cutoff for guaranteed SSB call security. If the predicted 370-mark cutoff hits, aim for 420+ marks total. Historical safe zone stays at 380-420 marks (written exam out of 900), buffering paper difficulty swings and unexpected cutoff fluctuations like the 2024 drop.
Risk zones breakdown:
- Red Zone (Below 350): High risk, likely disqualification
- Yellow Zone (350-380): Borderline, cutoff-dependent
- Green Zone (380-420): Safe, near-guaranteed SSB
- Elite Zone (420+): Top merit, prime SSB positioning
For 400 total via how to calculate NDA score: Target Maths 140-150 (out of 300) + GAT 250-260 (out of 600). Maths strategy: Attempt 40-45 questions at 85%+ accuracy. GAT strategy: English 130-140, GK 120-130. Clear sectional minimums: Maths 75+, GAT 150+.
Preparation Timeline: How Long to Reach 400+ Marks?
Preparation time needed 400+ marks varies by starting level, but ideal preparation spans 6-12 months with consistent daily study from Class 11-12 foundation. For intensive how many months to prepare for NDA crunch, 2-3 months minimum (6-8 hours daily) works—even 60 days can deliver 400+ with smart strategy, focusing on high-yield topics and mock tests.
2-month intensive study plan snapshot:
- Daily commitment: 6-8 hours structured practice
- Week 1-2: NCERT basics (Class 6-12 Maths, Science, English)
- Week 3-6: Topic-wise practice (40-50 Maths problems daily, GAT sections)
- Week 7-8: Full-length mock tests (2-3 per week)
- Last week: Revision, weak area strengthening
Key resources: NCERT books, previous year papers (10+ years), NDA Pathfinder for pattern mastery.
FAQs | NDA CutOff Marks 2026 Revealed
1. What is the expected NDA cutoff 2026?
The expected NDA cutoff 2026 for the written exam is estimated between 365-380 marks (out of 900) for NDA 1, and slightly lower at 360-375 marks for NDA 2. For final selection (Written + SSB), the safe merit score is expected to be around 700-720 marks out of 1800.
2. Is there a category-wise cutoff in NDA?
No. Unlike other government exams, UPSC does not release separate category-wise cutoffs for SC, ST, OBC, or General candidates in NDA. All aspirants compete for a single unified cutoff score. Female candidates also qualify under this same merit standard, though vacancies are allocated separately.
3. How to calculate a safe score for NDA?
To calculate a safe score, add 50-80 marks to the expected cutoff. If the predicted cutoff is 370, your target safe score is 420-450 marks. This buffer ensures you clear the cutoff even if it fluctuates and positions you higher in the final merit list.
4. What is the minimum passing marks in NDA?
You must clear two thresholds:
1. Sectional Cutoff: Minimum 25% in each subject (75 marks in Maths, 150 in GAT).
2. Overall Cutoff: A total aggregate score (usually 300-360+) to qualify for the SSB interview.
5. How long does it take to prepare for 400+ marks?
Ideally, 6-12 months of consistent study is recommended for building a strong foundation. However, with an intensive 6-8 hour daily study plan focusing on high-weightage topics and mock tests, a score of 400+ marks is achievable in 2-3 months.
6. What is the NDA SSB cutoff?
The SSB interview carries 900 marks, equal to the written exam. While there is no public fixed “cutoff,” candidates generally need to score at least 270 marks (minimum 90 from each of the three assessors) to be recommended. A score of 360+ in SSB is considered safe for the final merit list.
Author’s Words
NDA cutoff marks 2026 expected between 365-380 marks written, but smart aspirants target 400+ for safety with proven safe score strategy. With 2-3 months of focused preparation and the right strategy—NCERT mastery, daily mocks, sectional minimums—this target is well within reach for dedicated candidates.
Analyze previous trends, calculate your safe score using our zone system, and start your journey today. Download our NDA score calculator [Coming soon] and track your progress weekly toward SSB success.
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