The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced that the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (UPSC NDA 2) examination, a crucial part of the UPSC CSE process, will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2025. This announcement helps aspiring candidates for the prestigious defence academy plan their preparation schedule better. The NDA exam 2025, a gateway to joining the esteemed National Defence Academy, will run in two distinct sessions nationwide.
On top of that, officials have confirmed 406 total vacancies for this examination cycle. The NDA exam 2025 pattern remains unchanged. The Mathematics paper will be conducted from 10 am to 12:30 pm, followed by the General Ability Test from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. Each paper will last 2.5 hours. Mathematics carries 300 marks while the General Ability Test accounts for 600 marks. The authorities will announce the NDA hall ticket release date soon, so candidates should stay updated with the latest information.
NDA 2 2025 Exam Date and Schedule
Official NDA Exam 2025 Date Announcement
UPSC has scheduled the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (UPSC NDA/NA 2) examination on September 14, 2025. This nationwide examination serves as the second NDA recruitment cycle of 2025. The first NDA examination (NDA 1 2025) took place on April 13, 2025.
UPSC will release the official notification for NDA 2 2025 on May 28, 2025, according to their UPSC annual calendar. Candidates can submit their UPSC NDA application between May 28 and June 20, 2025. The NDA application date is crucial for aspirants to mark in their calendars. The NDA 2 registration and written examination stand as the first step in selecting future military officers through multiple stages.
NDA Exam Timing and Duration
The NDA exam 2025 will run in two sessions on the same day:
- Morning Session: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM (2.5 hours)
- Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM (2.5 hours)
Each paper runs for 2.5 hours, which gives candidates enough time to answer all questions. Students need to plan their day well since they must attend both sessions with a short break between them.
Subjects Covered in Each Session
The UPSC NDA exam follows a clear format with specific subjects in each session:
| Session | Time | Subject | Maximum Marks |
| Morning | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Mathematics | 300 |
| Afternoon | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM | General Ability Test (GAT) | 600 |
Both papers make up the complete written examination with a total of 900 marks. Mathematics tests the candidate’s numerical skills, while the General Ability Test looks at their overall aptitude, general knowledge, and language abilities.
UPSC will likely release the NDA hall ticket in the first week of September 2025. These cards will have all the details about exam centers and the rules students must follow on exam day.
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The NDA exam pattern plays a crucial role in your preparation. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need to know about the upcoming UPSC NDA exam scheduled for 2025.
Mathematics Paper Structure
The Mathematics section has 120 multiple-choice questions worth 300 marks. You’ll get 2½ hours (150 minutes) to solve this part. Each right answer gives you 2.5 marks, and wrong answers lead to a deduction of 0.83 marks. The paper tests your knowledge of Calculus, Quadratic equations, Matrices & Determinants, Probability, and Trigonometry.
General Ability Test (GAT) Breakdown
The GAT paper is more detailed with 150 questions that add up to 600 marks. It splits into two parts:
- English (Part A): 50 questions worth 200 marks
- General Knowledge (Part B): 100 questions worth 400 marks
Both parts give you 4 marks for each correct answer. You lose 1.33 marks for every wrong answer. The General Knowledge section covers Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.
Total Marks and Time Allocation
The NDA written exam adds up to 900 marks – Mathematics takes 300 and GAT takes 600. Each paper gets 2½ hours, so you’ll spend 5 hours total on the NDA exam date in 2025. This written test is just half the battle. The SSB Interview also carries 900 marks, making the total assessment worth 1800 marks.
Medium of Exam and Question Type
Question papers come in both English and Hindi, making them available to more people across the country. The English section in GAT only has questions in English. You’ll mark all answers on an OMR sheet since every question is multiple-choice. The exam rules don’t allow calculators or mathematical tables.
You must score at least 25% marks in each subject to move ahead. The NDA hall ticket release date for 2025 will come with more details about exam rules. After the exam, candidates can expect the NDA answer key to be released, which will help them estimate their performance.
NDA Admit Card 2025 and Exam Guidelines
The NDA 2 2025 exam date is getting closer. Your NDA hall ticket plays a significant role to enter the examination hall. Here’s what you should know about this vital document and exam day protocols.
NDA Admit Card 2025 Release Date and Download Process
UPSC will release the NDA 2 admit card about 10-15 days before the examination. You can expect it around the first week of September 2025. The official UPSC website lets candidates download their cards using registration ID or roll number. You’ll need to visit upsc.gov.in, click the e-Admit card link, log in with your credentials, and download the PDF. Note that UPSC won’t send any physical copies by post.
Details Mentioned on the Admit Card
The NDA hall ticket has sections that cover personal details (name, roll number, date of birth, photograph and signature), exam details (date, time, reporting time), and exam center information (center name, address, city, and center code). You should check all information right after downloading. Report any mistakes to UPSC immediately.
Prohibited Items at Exam Centers
UPSC follows strict rules about banned items. You cannot bring these items to exam centers:
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, and Bluetooth devices
- Electronic equipment including calculators
- Storage media like pen drives
- Books, notes or study materials
- Valuable items
The venues don’t provide storage for personal belongings, so leave your valuables at home.
Important Instructions for Exam Day
The entry gates close 10 minutes before the exam starts, so reach early. You must bring these items:
- Printed NDA hall ticket
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport/Driving License)
- Black ballpoint pen
Bring two similar photographs if your admit card photo isn’t clear. Your appearance matters too. Wear comfortable formal clothes but stay away from military-style or camouflage clothing.
Selection Process and What Happens Next
Your path to becoming a military officer continues through multiple stages after you complete the UPSC NDA exam on the NDA exam 2025 dates.
Written Exam Result and Merit List
The UPSC NDA result 2025 should come out around October 2025, about 45-60 days after you take the exam on September 14, 2025. UPSC will publish a PDF with qualified candidates’ roll numbers on their official website (upsc.gov.in). You need to score at least 25% in each section to move forward. The written exam adds 900 marks to your final selection score.
SSB Interview Process Explained
Successful candidates move on to the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. This five-day assessment gives you a chance to earn 900 marks. The process happens in two main stages:
Stage 1: The process has Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT).
Stage 2: You’ll go through psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD), Group Testing Officer Tasks (GD, GPE, PGT, HGT), and a personal interview that ends with a Conference.
NDA 2 2025 candidates usually attend SSB interviews between November 2025 and January 2026.
Final Selection and Training Overview
Your final merit list position depends on your combined performance in the written exam (900 marks) and SSB interview (900 marks), adding up to 1800 marks. The NDA cut off for 2025 will be determined based on these scores. Medical fitness is a must. Selected candidates start their three-year training at the National Defence Academy Khadakwasla in July 2026. After NDA, you’ll spend one year in specialized training at your service academy—IMA (Army), Indian Naval Academy (Navy), or AFA (Air Force).
Conclusion
The NDA 2 2025 exam date announcement brings exciting news for military officer aspirants across India. UPSC has scheduled the UPSC NDA/NA exam for September 14, 2025. This gives candidates a clear timeline to plan their preparation with renewed focus. Success in this prestigious examination needs systematic preparation for both papers – Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks).
This piece outlines the complete NDA exam pattern with session timings, marking schemes, and selection stages. On top of that, it gives vital information about the NDA hall ticket, prohibited items, and exam guidelines each candidate must follow. UPSC’s selection process shows its detailed evaluation system through two main components – the written examination (900 marks) and the SSB interview carrying equal weight.
Candidates should start their preparation right after the expected notification release on May 28, 2025. Your preparation experience needs consistent practice, NDA mock tests, and a solid grasp of core concepts rather than last-minute studying. Those who clear the written exam must then get ready for the challenging five-day SSB interview process.
Joining India’s prestigious defence forces needs dedication, discipline, and determination that line up perfectly with military values. We wish you the very best for your UPSC NDA exam experience. Your dream to serve the nation in uniform starts with this exam. The right preparation today will lead to your success tomorrow.
For effective NDA preparation tips, consider using NDA books and enrolling in reputable NDA coaching programs. Regular practice with NDA mock tests can significantly improve your performance. Remember to check the NDA age limit and NDA educational qualification requirements before applying. It’s also worth noting that a successful career in the armed forces comes with attractive benefits, including a competitive NDA salary package.
FAQs
Q1. When is the NDA 2 2025 exam scheduled to take place? The NDA 2 2025 exam is officially scheduled for Sunday, September 14, 2025. The UPSC NDA exam will be conducted in two sessions on the same day.
Q2. What is the exam pattern for NDA 2025? The NDA 2025 exam consists of two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) in the morning session and General Ability Test (600 marks) in the afternoon session. Each paper is 2.5 hours long and contains objective-type questions. The NDA syllabus 2025 covers a wide range of topics in both papers.
Q3. How can candidates download their NDA 2 2025 admit card? Candidates can download their NDA hall ticket for 2025 from the official UPSC website using their registration ID or roll number. The admit card is expected to be available about 10-15 days before the exam date.
Q4. What items are prohibited at the NDA exam centers? Prohibited items include mobile phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, calculators, storage media, books, notes, and valuable items. Candidates should only bring their NDA hall ticket, valid photo ID, and a black ballpoint pen.
Q5. What happens after the written exam in the NDA selection process? After the written exam, qualified candidates proceed to the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, which is a 5-day assessment worth 900 marks. The final selection is based on the combined performance in the written exam and SSB interview, followed by a medical fitness test. The UPSC NDA result 2025 will be a crucial step in this process.
