NDA Cut Off Marks 2026: Expected & Previous Year Cut Off
Planning to crack NDA 2026? Knowing the NDA cut off marks is essential for setting your target score. This page covers the expected NDA 2026 cut off, previous year cut offs from 2019 to 2024, category-wise cut off trends, and what factors determine the final merit list. Use this data to benchmark your preparation and aim above the cut off right from day one.
NDA 2026 Expected Cut Off Marks
While UPSC has not officially announced the NDA 2026 cut off yet, based on historical trends and difficulty levels, here is the expected range:
| Category | Written Exam (out of 900) | Final Merit (Written + SSB, out of 1800) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 340 – 370 | 680 – 730 |
| OBC | 320 – 345 | 640 – 680 |
| SC | 290 – 315 | 580 – 620 |
| ST | 270 – 300 | 550 – 590 |
Note: These are estimates based on previous year patterns. Official cut off will be declared by UPSC after the result.
NDA Previous Year Cut Off Marks (2019–2024)
| Year | Exam | Written Cut Off (General) | Final Cut Off (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | NDA 1 | 360 | 723 |
| 2024 | NDA 2 | 348 | 704 |
| 2023 | NDA 1 | 342 | 688 |
| 2023 | NDA 2 | 355 | 716 |
| 2022 | NDA 1 | 360 | 708 |
| 2022 | NDA 2 | 346 | 697 |
| 2021 | NDA 1 | 343 | 686 |
| 2021 | NDA 2 | 356 | 710 |
| 2020 | NDA 1 | 355 | 707 |
| 2019 | NDA 2 | 346 | 688 |
NDA Cut Off Marks: Subject-wise Minimum Qualifying
Crossing the overall cut off is not enough — candidates must also meet subject-wise minimum qualifying marks set by UPSC:
| Subject | Total Marks | Minimum Qualifying (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 300 | 25% (75 marks) |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 600 | 25% (150 marks) |
| SSB Interview | 900 | No fixed minimum; recommended score |
Factors That Determine NDA Cut Off
The NDA cut off is not fixed every year. Several key factors influence where the cut off lands:
- Number of vacancies: More vacancies generally means a slightly lower cut off.
- Number of applicants: Higher competition can push the cut off up.
- Difficulty level of the paper: A tougher paper results in a lower cut off and vice versa.
- Category reservations: SC, ST, and OBC candidates have separate, lower cut offs.
- SSB performance: The final merit cut off includes SSB marks, so strong SSB scores can compensate for a borderline written score.
How to Calculate Your NDA Score
Use this formula to estimate your written exam score:
Score = (Correct answers × marks per question) − (Wrong answers × negative marks)
- Mathematics: Each correct answer = 2.5 marks | Each wrong = −0.83 marks
- GAT: Each correct answer = 4 marks | Each wrong = −1.33 marks
Target a written score of at least 380–400 marks to stay safely above the expected cut off and give yourself a buffer.
NDA Cut Off for SSB: What Score to Target?
In SSB, you are assessed on 15 Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) over 5 days. While there is no officially published minimum SSB cut off, candidates who score 450+ in written and 300+ in SSB (out of 900) have historically featured in the final merit list comfortably. The combined final merit cut off for General category typically falls between 680–730 out of 1800.
Tips to Score Above NDA Cut Off
- Start with Mathematics — it is the highest-scoring paper with predictable topics.
- Focus on English and GK sections in GAT which many candidates underestimate.
- Attempt NDA previous year papers regularly to benchmark your performance.
- Avoid guessing randomly — negative marking can significantly reduce your score.
- Join a quality NDA test series to simulate exam conditions and track improvement.
Start Preparing to Beat the Cut Off
Now that you know the target, it is time to prepare strategically. Explore India’s top coaching options to get structured guidance in our complete NDA Coaching in India 2026 guide. Also check the NDA Notification 2026 for application dates, NDA Exam Date 2026 for your timeline, and NDA Eligibility 2026 to confirm you qualify.
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