Quick Answer — NDA Cut Off 2026
The NDA 2026 written cut off is expected to fall in the range of 300–320 marks out of 900, and the final selection cut off (written + SSB, out of 1800) is expected around 660–690 marks. To qualify, a candidate must also score at least 25% in each paper (Mathematics and GAT) separately. Over the last four years the written cut off has ranged between 292 and 360, and the final cut off between 663 and 720.
The NDA Cut Off 2026 is the minimum mark a candidate must score to clear the UPSC NDA & NA examination. UPSC releases two separate cut offs — a written exam cut off (out of 900) that decides who is called for the SSB Interview, and a final cut off (out of 1800) that decides the final merit list after the SSB. This guide gives you the year-wise previous trends, the expected NDA 2 2026 cut off, a free marks predictor tool, and exactly how the cut off is calculated.
🎯 Free Tool
NDA 2026 Cut Off Predictor
Enter your expected written marks (out of 900) to estimate your selection chances against the expected NDA 2 2026 cut off.
Estimate only, based on previous-year trends. Actual cut off is published by UPSC after results. Always verify at upsc.gov.in.
NDA 2026 Expected Cut Off
Based on the difficulty and vacancy trends of recent cycles, here is the expected NDA 2026 cut off. The NDA 2 2026 written exam is scheduled for 13 September 2026, with the result expected a few weeks later.
| Stage | Expected Cut Off | Out Of |
|---|---|---|
| Written exam (Maths + GAT) | 300 – 320 | 900 |
| Final selection (Written + SSB) | 660 – 690 | 1800 |
| Sectional minimum (each paper) | 25% | per paper |
NDA Cut Off — Previous Year Trends (2021–2024)
The single best way to gauge the 2026 cut off is to study the last few years. Here are the previous NDA written and final cut off marks, compiled from UPSC results.
| Exam | Written Cut Off (/900) | Final Cut Off (/1800) |
|---|---|---|
| NDA 2 2021 | 355 | 716 |
| NDA 1 2022 | 360 | 720 |
| NDA 2 2022 | 316 | 707 |
| NDA 1 2023 | 301 | 664 |
| NDA 2 2023 | 292 | 663 |
| NDA 1 2024 | 304 | 676 |
| NDA 2 2024 | 305 | 673 |
Note: figures are compiled from published UPSC results and widely reported sources; treat them as indicative. The official cut off for each cycle is released by UPSC on upsc.gov.in after the final results.
What is the trend? Since 2023 the NDA written cut off has settled in the low 300s (292–305), noticeably lower than the 2021–2022 peak of 355–360. The final cut off has stayed in a tight band of roughly 663–720 out of 1800. This is why a written score around 310–330 with a strong SSB is a realistic selection target for NDA 2 2026.
How the NDA Cut Off Is Calculated
Understanding the calculation removes the guesswork. UPSC applies the cut off in two stages.
- Written cut off (out of 900): After the written exam, UPSC declares a qualifying mark. Only candidates at or above this mark — and who also score at least 25% in each paper individually — are shortlisted for the SSB Interview.
- Final cut off (out of 1800): Written marks (900) are added to SSB marks (900). UPSC then draws the final merit list down to the number of available vacancies. The marks of the last recommended candidate become the final cut off.
Why is the SSB so decisive? Because the SSB Interview carries 900 marks — exactly equal to the entire written exam. Two candidates with identical written scores can finish hundreds of marks apart after the SSB. This is why written-qualified candidates who train seriously for the SSB convert at a far higher rate.
Factors That Affect the NDA Cut Off
The NDA cut off is not fixed — it moves each cycle based on:
- Number of vacancies — more vacancies generally lower the final cut off.
- Exam difficulty — a tougher Mathematics or GAT paper pulls the written cut off down.
- Number of applicants — higher competition can push the cut off up.
- Normalisation & answer-key challenges — final marks are confirmed after objections are resolved.
NDA 2 2026 Cut Off — What Score Should You Target?
For a comfortable, low-risk selection in NDA 2 2026, aim for these working targets rather than the bare minimum:
| Goal | Written Target (/900) |
|---|---|
| Just clear the written | ~310 |
| Safe, comfortable margin | 350+ |
| Strong merit position | 400+ |
To get there, prioritise Mathematics (highest-scoring, least subjective) and General Knowledge within the GAT. For the exact weightage of every section, see our NDA Exam Pattern 2026 guide and the complete NDA Syllabus 2026 breakdown. To know your overall timeline, check the NDA 2 2026 Notification & Exam Guide.
Cleared the Written? The SSB Decides Everything
Since the SSB carries 900 of the 1800 final marks, your selection truly depends on it. The 5-day SSB tests Officer-Like Qualities through screening (OIR + PP&DT), psychological tests, GTO ground tasks, and the personal interview. Most written-qualified candidates are not rejected for knowledge — they are rejected for avoidable SSB mistakes. Start early with our SSB OIR Test Complete Guide and learn the most common SSB rejection reasons.
Does Category or Domicile Affect the NDA Cut Off?
Unlike many government exams, the NDA does not have separate category-wise cut offs (SC/ST/OBC) for the written stage in the way candidates often expect — the qualifying mark is common, and the merit list is drawn on marks. What genuinely shapes your outcome is your service preference (Army, Navy, Air Force or Naval Academy) and the vacancies available in each, along with your medical fitness for that service. Air Force and Navy entries require Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12, and the flying branch carries stricter medical and vision standards. So two candidates with the same total can be commissioned into different services purely based on preference order, vacancies and medicals. Plan your preferences realistically and ensure you meet the physical standards well before the SSB.
From Cut Off to Joining: The Full Timeline
Clearing the cut off is one milestone in a longer journey. After the 13 September 2026 written exam, UPSC publishes the written result with the qualifying cut off, usually within a few weeks. Shortlisted candidates are then called for the 5-day SSB Interview (expected December 2026–January 2027 for NDA 2 2026), followed by a medical board. UPSC then releases the final merit list with the final cut off, and selected candidates receive their joining instructions for training at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. From exam to joining typically spans several months, so candidates who begin SSB preparation immediately after the written exam — rather than waiting for results — gain a decisive head start. For the complete schedule and eligibility, see the NDA 2 2026 Notification & Exam Guide.
A Real Selection-Math Example
Numbers make this concrete. Suppose two candidates, Arjun and Vikram, both clear the written stage:
| Candidate | Written (/900) | SSB (/900) | Total (/1800) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arjun | 410 | 240 | 650 | Below cut off |
| Vikram | 330 | 360 | 690 | Selected |
Arjun scored 80 marks more in the written, yet missed selection because his SSB was weak. Vikram, with a modest written score but a strong SSB, made the merit list. This is the most misunderstood truth about the NDA cut off: the written stage only gets you to the door — the SSB opens it. Candidates who obsess over squeezing out the last 20 written marks while neglecting officer-like qualities routinely lose to better-rounded competitors.
10-Year Trend: What the Cut Off History Tells Us
Looking across the last decade, three patterns stand out. First, the written cut off has trended downward — from the mid-350s in 2021–2022 to the low 300s from 2023 onward — largely because papers have become more application-based and less rote, which spreads scores lower. Second, the final cut off has remained remarkably stable in the 660–720 band, because vacancy numbers have not changed dramatically year to year. Third, NDA 2 cut offs are often a touch lower than NDA 1 in the same year, partly due to seasonal applicant patterns. For NDA 2 2026, this history points to a written cut off near the low 300s and a final cut off in the high 600s — exactly the expected ranges in this guide.
NDA 1 vs NDA 2 Cut Off — Is One Easier?
A common question is whether NDA 2 is “easier” because the cut off can be slightly lower. In practice, the difference is marginal and driven by paper difficulty and applicant mix, not by any deliberate lowering of standards. You should never bank on a lower cut off as a strategy. The vacancies, the syllabus and the SSB standard are effectively the same. The right approach is to prepare to a target score (350+) that clears either exam comfortably, rather than betting on a soft cut off.
How to Add 40–50 Marks to Your Written Score
If the predictor told you that you are in or below the cut off band, these four levers move your score the fastest before 13 September 2026:
- Stop the bleeding from negative marking. Many aspirants lose 30–40 marks to reckless guessing. Attempt a question only when you can eliminate at least two options; otherwise leave it. Disciplined question selection alone often adds 25+ net marks.
- Bank the Mathematics paper. Maths is objective and high-scoring. Mastering Trigonometry, Algebra, Calculus and Coordinate Geometry — which together dominate the paper — can lift your Maths score sharply. See our NDA exam pattern and weightage guide.
- Convert General Knowledge into a strength. GK carries 400 marks in the GAT. A daily current-affairs habit plus NCERT science revision is the single biggest GAT score multiplier.
- Take timed full-length mocks weekly. The five-hour exam rewards stamina and pacing. Analysing every mock — not just taking it — is where the marks come from.
Common Myths About the NDA Cut Off
Myth 1: “There is a fixed pass mark.” False — UPSC sets the cut off each cycle based on vacancies, difficulty and competition. Myth 2: “Clearing the written means I’m almost selected.” False — the SSB carries an equal 900 marks and eliminates the majority of written-qualified candidates. Myth 3: “The cut off is different for boys and girls.” The written qualifying standard is common; allocation depends on vacancies and merit. Myth 4: “I should aim just above the cut off.” Aiming for the minimum is the riskiest plan of all, because a single tough section can sink a borderline score.
Why Choose New Careers Academy (NCA)
Founded in 1967, New Careers Academy is India’s oldest defence coaching institute, with 39,000+ aspirants guided into the NDA, CDS, AFCAT and SSB. Our NDA programme is built around exactly what the cut off rewards:
- Written-score maximisation — concept-first Mathematics and GAT coaching with weekly full-length mocks and post-test analysis to push you well above the cut off band.
- SSB conversion focus — dedicated OIR, PP&DT, psychology, GTO and personal-interview training led by ex-defence officers, because the SSB is half your final marks.
- Personalised tracking — individual performance dashboards so you always know your gap to the target score.
- Proven heritage — a five-decade selection record and a faculty whose notes and current-affairs match a high share of the actual paper.
Explore NDA Coaching in Chandigarh or talk to our team to build a score-target plan for NDA 2 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions — NDA Cut Off 2026
What is the expected NDA 2026 cut off?
The NDA 2026 written cut off is expected around 300–320 out of 900, and the final cut off around 660–690 out of 1800, subject to vacancies and paper difficulty.
What was the NDA written cut off in previous years?
Recent written cut offs: NDA 2 2024 — 305, NDA 1 2024 — 304, NDA 2 2023 — 292, NDA 1 2023 — 301, NDA 2 2022 — 316, NDA 1 2022 — 360 (all out of 900).
What is the minimum percentage required in each paper?
A candidate must secure at least 25% marks in each paper (Mathematics and GAT) individually, in addition to the overall qualifying mark.
Is the NDA cut off out of 900 or 1800?
The written cut off is out of 900. The final selection cut off is out of 1800 (900 written + 900 SSB Interview).
Does the NDA cut off differ for Army, Navy and Air Force?
The written qualifying cut off is common. Final allocation to Army, Navy or Air Force depends on merit, candidate preference, vacancies, and medical fitness for each service.
How much should I score to be safe in NDA 2 2026?
Target around 350+ out of 900 in the written for a comfortable margin, then aim for a strong SSB performance, since the SSB carries an equal 900 marks.
When will the NDA 2 2026 cut off be released?
UPSC releases the written cut off with the written result, and the final cut off with the final merit list — typically a few weeks to a few months after the 13 September 2026 exam.
Is there negative marking that affects the cut off?
Yes. Negative marking (−0.83 in Maths, −1.33 in GAT) lowers raw scores, which is one reason cut offs sit in the low-to-mid 300s out of 900.
NDA Cut Off 2026 — Key Takeaways
- The expected written cut off is 300–320 / 900; the expected final cut off is 660–690 / 1800.
- You must also clear a 25% sectional minimum in each paper, not just the overall mark.
- The cut off has trended downward since 2023 (low 300s) due to more application-based papers.
- The SSB Interview carries 900 marks — half the final total — and decides most selections.
- Smart targets: ~310 to clear, 350+ for a safe margin, 400+ for a strong merit position.
- Always confirm the official cut off on upsc.gov.in after results; figures here are indicative.
Conclusion
The NDA Cut Off 2026 is expected around 300–320 in the written and 660–690 in the final merit, but the smartest aspirants don’t aim for the minimum — they target 350+ in the written and train hard for the SSB that decides half their marks. Use the predictor above to benchmark your current standing, then close the gap with a structured plan. New Careers Academy, India’s oldest defence coaching institute since 1967, is ready to help you cross the cut off with margin. Start your NDA 2 2026 preparation with NCA today.
Last updated: 9 June 2026. Cut off figures compiled from UPSC results and reputable defence-exam sources; always confirm official marks at upsc.gov.in. Predictor estimates are for guidance only and do not guarantee selection.
