UPSC NDA Selection Process 2025 - Step wise process, Written Exam, SSB Interview

UPSC mentions the NDA selection process 2025 in the official notification. The NDA 2025 notification contains the details that will be available for download on their official website, upsc.gov.in/upsconline.nic.in. Candidates are encouraged to go through the NDA 2025 selection process to get an idea of how the NDA exam will take place.

There are 3 Main stages in the NDA selection process 2025. First, Candidates must appear for the NDA 2025 written exam followed by the SSB interview and medical examination. According to the NDA admission process, only candidates who have cleared the written exam will be called for the SSB interview. Hence, it is important for candidates to prepare well for the NDA 2025. Candidates can prepare effectively using NDA question papers, the exam pattern, and the syllabus. The NDA final merit list 2025 will be prepared based on how candidates perform in both the written exam and interview. Candidates can go through the material below for more information about the NDA Joining Process 2025.

NDA Selection Process 2025- Stages

  • NDA Written Exam 2025

  • NDA SSB Interview

  • Medical Examination

Know about:

  • NDA Application Form 2025
  • NDA Eligibility Criteria 2025

NDA Selection Process 2025 - Written Exam

The first stage in the NDA selection process is the written exam. The NDA 2025 written exam comprises two papers - Elementary Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The total marks allotted to the NDA written exam is 900. Candidates have to clear both papers separately.

NDA Paper 1 comprises 120 questions for 300 marks while paper 1 comprises 150 questions for 600 marks. As per the NDA exam pattern 2025, there will be a negative marking of one-third marks in both papers. Candidates who score marks equal to or more than the NDA 2025 cut-off marks will be called for the SSB interview.

NDA 2025 Selection Process - SSB Interview

Candidates who clear the NDA exam 2025 will be called for the SSB interview at various selection centres. NDA SSB Interview is a five day process held at Indian Armed Force selection centres. NDA SSB day 1 comprises a Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT) and an Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR). Shortlisted candidates on day 1 are retained at the selection centre for the next four days.

The further NDA interview process comprises Psychology Tests, Group Testing Officers Task (GTO), Personal Interviews and a Conference of the NDA selection process. There is no specific syllabus of 2025 NDA for the interview round. For more details, candidates can check the table provided below.

NDA Selection Process 2025: Stepwise Selection Process

Stages

Tests

Screening

  • Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PPDT)

  • Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR)

Psychological Tests

  • Thematic Apperception Test

  • Word Association Test

  • Situation Reaction Test

  • Self Description Test

Group Testing Officers Task (GTO)

  • Group Discussion

  • Group Planning Exercise

  • Progressive Group Task

  • Half Group Task

  • Individual Obstacles Task

  • Command Task

  • Snake Race and Group Obstacle Race

Personal Interview

Personal Interview with Officers

Conference

It comprises interaction with all board members including GTO, psychologist, board president and others

Quick Links:

  • NDA Exam Dates 2025
  • NDA Answer Key 2025

NDA SSB Selection Centres 2025

Candidates appearing for NDA 2025 must check selection centres from the table mentioned below.

List of SSB Interview Centres

Branch

SSC Centres

Indian Air Force (IAF)

  • 1 AFSB Dehradun

  • 2 AFSB Mysore

  • 3 AFSB Gandhi Nagar

  • 4 AFSB Varanasi

Indian Navy

  • NSB Coimbatore

  • 12 SSB Bangalore

  • 33 SSB Bhopal

Indian Army

  • Selection Center East Allahabad

  • Selection Center Central Bhopal

  • Selection Center South Bangalore

NDA Selection Process 2025 - Medical Examination

Recommended candidates from the SSB interview of the NDA selection process will be called for medical examination. In the SSB medical exam, candidates will be tested on various factors like height, weight, physical fitness and others. Candidates declared physically fit in all respects will be commissioned as Cadets in various academies of the Indian Army Forces.

Documents Required for NDA Selection Process 2025

Candidates appearing for the NDA interview process at SCN have to carry the below-mentioned documents.

  • Original 10th pass certificate or equivalent in support of date of birth

  • Original 10+2 pass certificate or equivalent in support of educational qualification

  • Valid Photo ID proof

  • Caste certificate if belonging to SC, ST, OBC etc

  • SSB call letter

NDA Selection Process 2025 - Final Merit List

  • To get acquainted with the Indian Armed Forces, candidates need to secure a minimum NDA cut off 2025 to get an SSB call letter.

  • Candidates appearing for the Indian Air Force have to qualify Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

  • The final result of the NDA 2025 selection process will be prepared on the basis of performance in the written exam and SSB interview.

NDA Selection Process 2025 - Final Call

The exam authorities will issue the NDA final call letter to join the course. The final call letter of the NDA 2025 will be issued after the entire selection process is over. UPSC will issue the final call letter to the candidates who cleared all the levels of the NDA selection process.

NDA Selection Process 2025 - Reasons for candidate’s disqualification

  • Candidates previously rejected on the basis of medical standards are not allowed to attend the SSB interview of the NDA selection process.

  • Candidates who were withdrawn previously from NDA/NA on medical grounds or left the training voluntarily will be eligible for admission only if they qualify for the medical fitness test.