NDA Selection Process 2025 for Written, SSB and Medical Test

NDA selection process includes a written exam, SSB interview, document verification, and medical tests, leading to a final merit list. Selection is based on merit, focusing on SSB interview performance and personality assessments.

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NDA Selection Procedure: To have a better understanding of the selection procedure for NDA examinations which is one of the most sought-after exams, in which many candidates submit their applications with the hope of being commissioned into the Indian Armed Forces. The NDA Selection Process is decided by the Union Public Service Commission ‘(UPSC). Read the complete article.

NDA Selection Process 2025

The NDA examination is conducted by UPSC. This exam is conducted twice a year to induct cadets into the National Defence Academy and later to get commissioned as Indian Army officers. The selection procedure consists 3 stages, which are as follows:

NDA Written Exam
SSB Interview
Medical Examination

NDA Selection Process 2025 Highlights
Name of the Exam	National Defence Academy (NDA)
Recruiting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Frequency of Exam	Twice a Year
Selection Process	Written Test consisting of MCQ Type Questions SSB Interview Medical Examination
Mode of Exam	Offline
Language of Question Paper	Bilingual (Hindi & English)
Papers in NDA Written Exam	Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks)
Total No. of Questions in Written Exam	270 Questions (Mathematics: 120 Questions & GAT: 150 Questions)
Negative Marking	Mathematics: -0.83 marks, GAT: -1.33 marks
Exam Duration	2.5 Hours For Each Paper

NDA Written Selection Process 2025

The NDA Selection Process requires that the candidates must first appear for a written exam. It is an objective exam with two papers —Mathematics and General Ability which consist of a total of 900 marks. Only those applicants who achieve the minimum cut-off scores will be chosen for the SSB round of the recruitment process. Every candidate should be familiar with the NDA Exam Syllabus and NDA Exam Pattern to prepare for the written exam. To qualify in the NDA written examination, candidates must solve the NDA Previous Year Question Papers. An overview of the first stage of the NDA Selection Process 2025 is provided below:

NDA Selection Process 2025 – Written Exam
Subject	Paper Code	Maximum Marks	Time Duration
Mathematics	01	300	2.5 hours
General Ability Test (GAT)	02	600	2.5 hours
Total Marks		900

Read More:NDA Eligibility Criteria

NDA Selection Process 2025 For SSB Interview

The Services Selection Board (SSB) conducts interviews with all candidates who passed the written test and also fulfils the requirements for NA and NDA posts then a call letter is sent to you which consists of all the important information regarding the interview such as date, time, and location.

Two separate tests i.e., the psychological aptitude exam and the intelligence test are included in the SSB Interview round.
Only those candidates who pass Phase 1 will be considered for Phase 2 for further remaining tests. The entire process takes around 5 days for the completion of the SSB Round.
Candidates who apply for the Air Force need to qualify for the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

NDA Selection Process 2025 – SSB Interview
Phase 1	Day 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT).
Phase 2	Day 2: Psychology Tests Day 3: GTO (Group Testing Officer) Tasks Day 4: Interview Day 5: Conference

NDA Document Verification

The document verification and submission process is a crucial step in the NDA Selection Process. The selected candidates must bring their documents at the interview time so that they can be verified. The following documents are required regarding the verification process:

10th or 10+2 certificate as proof of education.
Caste certification for eligible applicants.
Proof of Identification.
Proof of Residence.

NDA Medical Examination

After the SSB results are announced, recommended candidates must undergo a medical examination conducted by a Medical Board at a designated military hospital. This process typically takes 4 to 5 days, after which candidates are informed of their status. The Medical Board President oversees the appeals and review processes. Candidates deemed unfit may request a review or appeal with the President’s Special Medical Board.

As part of the NDA selection process, a Board of Service Medical Officers conducts a comprehensive medical examination, ensuring each candidate meets the required health standards. In addition to the standard check-up, female candidates are required to provide detailed gynaecological, obstetric, and menstrual history. The final selection for NDA hinges on these medical examination results, making it a crucial step in the process.

Read More: NDA Salary

NDA Final Merit List

The Commission prepares the NDA final merit list after completing the medical examinations. Only candidates who are medically fit and perform exceptionally well in each stage of the selection process make it to this prestigious list, becoming the next batch of officers. Selection for the final merit list considers performance across all phases, including the personality assessments conducted during the SSB interview. Importantly, any merit gained throughout the selection stages will be invalidated if a candidate is deemed unfit for the position at any point. Excelling in every stage of the NDA 2025 selection process is essential for securing a place on the final merit list.

NDA Selection Process FAQs

What are steps for NDA selection?

There are 3 major stages for the NDA selection that includes a written examination, SSB Interview Round and Medical Examination.

Is selection in NDA easy?

The NDA selection process is neither that easy nor that much difficult. This exam required a better understanding of mathematics and a General Ability to pass the written exam along with psychological aptitude & intelligence and medical fitness.

What is an NDA salary?

The NDA remuneration that is provided to candidates is Rs 56,100 per month (starting pay in Level 10) during the training sessions at the Defense training academies.

Is NDA interview tough?

The NDA exam is the most demanding competitive examination for joining the Defense Forces in India. One must pass both the Written and SSB interview in order to be admitted to the National Defense Academy. Psychological aptitude and intelligence are assessed during the SSB interview.