NDA Exam Pattern 2025: Check Subjects, Duration, Marking Scheme

NDA Exam Pattern 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the NDA & NA 1 exam on April, 2025. The exam pattern for the UPSC NDA exam has been released by UPSC. The exam pattern helps candidates understand the structure of the paper. Furthermore, candidates can check the number of questions, marking scheme, exam duration, etc.

*Steps to practice NDA Unlimited Questions are mentioned below

Candidates should go through the NDA exam pattern and syllabus to prepare better for the exam. According to the NDA paper pattern, the exam consists of two papers/ subjects, i.e., Mathematics and General Ability Test. The written exam will be conducted for 900 marks. Continue to read the complete article to find out more!

UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2025

The selection process for UPSC NDA & NA EE consists of two stages as given below:

• 1st Stage: Written Examination
• 2nd Stage: SSB Interviews

Aspirants can further scroll down to check the detailed exam pattern for these two stages.

NDA Written Exam Pattern

The UPSC NDA paper pattern, including the time duration and maximum marks allotted for each subject, is tabulated below:

Topic-wise Marks Distribution for General Ability Test

Find the topic-wise marks for the GAT paper below:

Important Points:

• The Written Test is divided into two papers, i.e., Mathematics and General Ability Test.
• Both sections will be in English as well as Hindi.
• The General Ability Test has two sub-sections – English and General Knowledge. 
• Mathematics: 120 questions carrying a total of 300 marks.
  General Ability Test: 150 questions carrying a total of 600 marks (200 marks for English and 400 marks for General Knowledge).
• The General Ability section comprises Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Historydom Movement, Geography and Current Events.
• All the questions in both papers are MCQs (Objective type Questions).
• It is the Commission that will decide the cutoff for the NDA exams. They will release the list of candidates who have successfully cleared the exam and are eligible to attend the SSB Interview.

Steps To Practice Unlimited NDA Questions

Access the unlimited NDA & NA questions from Embibe and improve your preparation level. Candidates can follow the below-mentioned steps to take the practice tests:

• 1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., embibe.com.
• 2nd Step: Use the mobile number/email to log in.
• 3rd Step: Click on the menu bar “Getting into my dream undergraduate college” 
• 4th Step: Select the Goal “Defence” from the dropdown and click on “Next”.
• 5th Step: Search and select “NDA & NA EE” on the search bar and click on “Next”.
• 6th Step: Select the preferred language and click on “Done”.
• 7th Step: Click “Practice” from the header section.
• 8th Step: Scroll down to the “Subjects” section.
• 9th Step: Click on any NDA & NA subjects.
• 10th Step: Scroll down to click on the chapters from the selected subject to begin the practice.

UPSC NDA Marking Scheme

Candidates appearing for the exam can check the marking scheme in NDA from the table below:

Check the detailed marking scheme for General Ability Test below:

• The English section of the GAT consists of 50 questions carrying a total of 200 marks. The General Knowledge section consists of 100 questions carrying a total of 400 marks.
• Marks awarded for each correct answer: 4 marks
• Marks deducted for each incorrect answer: 1.33 marks
• If a candidate selects more than one option for a question, it will be treated as a wrong answer, and 1/3rd of the marks allotted to the question will be deducted. 
• There is no negative marking for questions left unanswered.

NDA SSB Interview Pattern

After clearing the written test, shortlisted candidates will be called for the SSB interview round. Check the details for the SSB Interview below:

The interview process consists of two stages: Stage 1 and Stage 2. Candidates should clear Stage 1 in order to appear for Stage 2. The following details of the stages are mentioned below:

• Stage 1: It comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on a combination of performance in the OIR Test and PP&DT.
• Stage 2: It comprises an Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted for 4 days.

Three assessors assess candidates’ personalities. They are the Interviewing Officer, Group Testing Officer, and Psychologist. There is no separate weightage in each test. These tests are designed to assess the presence or absence of officer-like qualities and training qualities in a candidate. Based on this, candidates will be selected.

General Guidelines on UPSC NDA Exam

Candidates must strictly follow the guidelines issued by UPSC:

• The use of calculators and mathematical or logarithmic tables is not allowed in the exam. If candidates bring these things, they must leave them outside before entering the exam hall.
• Mobile phones, pagers or any type of communication devices are not allowed inside the exam hall. If this rule is violated, they will be liable for disciplinary actions and a lifetime ban from any future exams.
• Clipboards are allowed inside the exam hall. The invigilator will provide a good-quality HB pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, and a blue or black pen.
• Candidates are not advised to bring any valuables to the exam centre. If lost, the authorities are not responsible for it.
• Cheating is strictly prohibited. No candidates shall copy from someone’s papers nor allow someone else to copy their paper. Candidates are not allowed to give or obtain or attempt to give or obtain irregular assistance of any description.
• No candidates should misbehave during the exam in any manner, create any disorderly scene, or harass the staff employed by the Commission. If any such misconduct happens, then they will be severely penalized for such an act.
• Candidates need to use ink or a ballpoint pen to fill the particulars in an empty circle so that it does not exceed the circle’s boundary. They must read the instructions to fill the circle so that the machine does not reject the answer.
• Do not write anything other than specific information asked on the answer sheet. Candidates will be provided with a rough sheet where they can practice such things.
• Do not fold or damage, or put any markings on the answer sheet. Do not write anything on the back of the answer sheet.
• Please read the instructions carefully before the exam commences.

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FAQs on NDA Exam Pattern 2025

The frequently asked questions regarding the NDA Paper Pattern 2025 are given below:

We hope this article on NDA Exam Pattern 2025 has provided you with all the details regarding the pattern and marking scheme. Stay tuned to Embibe for the latest news and updates on UPSC NDA 2025!