Hello, future defenders of the nation! The wait is finally over for thousands of ambitious young minds across India. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially unveiled the results for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination II 2025 on October 1, 2025. This announcement marks a pivotal moment for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces—be it the Army, Navy, or Air Force. If you’ve been glued to your screens, refreshing the UPSC website, or anxiously discussing strategies with fellow aspirants, take a deep breath. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll dive deep into every aspect of the NDA 2 2025 results, from eligibility criteria to preparation tips for the next phase. Whether you’re a qualifier celebrating your success or someone gearing up for the next attempt, this guide is your one-stop resource. Let’s embark on this journey together!
The Essence of NDA: Why This Exam Matters in India’s Defence Landscape
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of the results, let’s set the stage. The NDA exam, conducted twice a year by UPSC, is the gateway to India’s premier defence training institutions. Established in 1954, the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune, trains cadets from all three wings of the armed forces under one roof, fostering unity and leadership from day one. The NA component, on the other hand, prepares future naval officers for the Indian Navy.
The NDA 2 2025 exam was held on September 14, 2025, across 112 cities in India, with over 1.5 lakh candidates registering and around 1.2 lakh appearing. The written test consisted of two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (GAT, 600 marks), totaling 900 marks. It’s a testament to the exam’s rigor that only the top performers advance to the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, followed by a medical examination. Qualifying this isn’t just about scoring high—it’s about demonstrating intellectual prowess, physical fitness, and an unyielding spirit of patriotism.
This year’s exam saw a slight increase in difficulty, particularly in the Mathematics section, with questions on calculus and vectors proving tricky. The GAT paper balanced current affairs, physics, chemistry, history, and English, rewarding well-rounded preparation. For many, this result isn’t merely a scorecard; it’s a launchpad toward safeguarding India’s sovereignty, from the snow-capped peaks of Siachen to the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.
1. Result Details: Unpacking the Announcement and What It Entails
The UPSC NDA 2 2025 results have been released in the form of a merit list, featuring the roll numbers of candidates who have provisionally qualified for the SSB interview. This list is divided into categories—Army, Air Force, Navy, and NA (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme)—ensuring transparency and reservation compliance.
Key highlights from the result:
- Total Qualified Candidates: Approximately 4,500 candidates have made it to the SSB stage, a competitive pool from over 1.2 lakh test-takers. This includes around 300 for the Air Force, 200 for the Navy, and the rest for the Army wing.
- Eligibility Recap: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old, unmarried males (for NDA) or females (recently opened for certain entries), and have passed or appeared for Class 12 from a recognized board. For the Air Force and Navy, Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 are mandatory.
- Next Steps Post-Result: Shortlisted candidates will receive e-call letters for SSB via the UPSC portal or Indian Army/Navy/Air Force websites. The SSB process, spanning 5 days, includes psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews to assess Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) such as initiative, courage, and teamwork.
- Training Timeline: Successful candidates will join the 156th NDA course commencing July 2, 2026, for a three-year integrated training, followed by specialized service academy training.
The result PDF is compact, listing roll numbers alphabetically by category, making it easy to scan. UPSC emphasizes that this is provisional—final selection hinges on SSB and medicals. For those who didn’t qualify, remember: legends like Captain Vikram Batra attempted multiple times before succeeding. Persistence is the true uniform of a soldier.
This declaration aligns with UPSC’s commitment to timely processes, allowing qualifiers ample time to prepare for SSB, which is scheduled to begin in the third week of October 2025. If you’re shortlisted, congratulations—your written exam scores reflect not just knowledge but resilience built through countless mock tests and late-night revisions.
2. Result Publish: Timely Release and Access Guidelines
UPSC adhered to its schedule impeccably, publishing the NDA 2 2025 results on October 1, 2025, just weeks after the exam. This efficiency is a hallmark of the commission, minimizing anxiety for aspirants and their families. The announcement was made via a press release on the official website, upsc.gov.in, around 11:30 AM IST, triggering a flurry of activity online.
To access your result:
- Visit upsc.gov.in and navigate to “Examination” > “Results.”
- Click on “NDA & NA (II) 2025 Written Result.”
- Download the PDF merit list and search for your roll number (Ctrl+F for quick lookup).
- No login credentials are required at this stage—it’s a public document.
For mark sheets, UPSC will release them within 15 days of the final result (post-SSB), detailing subject-wise scores. In the interim, qualifiers can estimate based on answer keys released earlier. The portal handled the traffic surge seamlessly, but if you face issues, regional facilitation centers in major cities offer assistance.
This prompt release underscores UPSC’s digital push—over 90% of interactions are now online, reducing paperwork and environmental impact. For parents tracking from hometowns like a small village in Bihar or a bustling metro in Delhi, this means real-time updates via SMS alerts if registered.
3. Cut-off / Score: Analyzing the Benchmarks and Trends
Cut-offs are the invisible line separating dreamers from achievers in competitive exams like NDA. For NDA 2 2025, UPSC will release official cut-offs only after the final merit list, but based on expert analysis and previous patterns, here’s a projected overview. Remember, these are estimates—actuals depend on factors like vacancies (around 450 for NDA this cycle) and exam difficulty.
Projected Overall Cut-Off Marks (Out of 900 for Written Exam)
| Category | Expected Cut-Off | Previous Year (2024) Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| General | 350-360 | 348 (Slight hike due to moderate difficulty) |
| OBC | 340-350 | 338 |
| SC | 310-320 | 312 |
| ST | 290-300 | 290 |
| EWS | 345-355 | 342 |
Subject-Wise Minimum Qualifying Marks (Tentative)
- Mathematics (Out of 300): 25% (75 marks) for all categories—focus on algebra and trigonometry was key this year.
- GAT (Out of 600): 20% (120 marks)—English and GK sections carried weight, with current affairs on India’s defence deals (like Rafale jets) making waves.
Trends show a 5-10 mark increase from NDA 1 2025, attributed to fewer errors in normalization across shifts. Top scorers likely crossed 500+, excelling in physics (mechanics) and history (Indian freedom struggle). For SSB, written cut-offs are just the entry ticket—personality trumps percentiles here.
If your score hovers near the edge, don’t despair; re-evaluation windows open soon. Tools like UPSC’s official calculator can help verify. Pro tip: Analyze past cut-offs from upsc.gov.in archives to benchmark your prep for future attempts.
Beyond the Numbers: Preparation Strategies for SSB and Beyond
Qualifying the written exam is exhilarating, but SSB is where true mettle shines. Spanning five days at centers like Allahabad or Bangalore, it tests 15 OLQs through:
- Day 1: Screening (Officer Intelligence Rating, Picture Perception & Description Test).
- Days 2-4: Psychological tests, group discussions on topics like “India’s Role in UN Peacekeeping,” obstacle courses, and command tasks.
- Day 5: Conference and results.
To ace it:
- Physical Prep: Run 2.4 km in under 15 minutes, practice push-ups, and build stamina via yoga.
- Mental Edge: Read “SSB Interview” by NK Natarajan; join coaching like Baalnoi Academy.
- Current Affairs: Follow The Hindu for defence news—think Agnipath scheme or border tensions.
For non-qualifiers, dissect your weaknesses: Was it math theorems or essay writing? Platforms like Unacademy offer free NDA mocks. Remember, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa cleared on his third try—failure is feedback.
A Glimpse into Life at NDA: Stories That Inspire
Imagine waking at 5 AM to the bugle call, marching in olive green, forging bonds that last a lifetime. Alumni tales abound: From Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja’s heroism in Kargil to Captain Anshuman Singh’s gallantry award. NDA isn’t just training; it’s transformation—inculcating values like “Service Before Self.”
This result batch will join amid India’s push for self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence), with indigenous projects like Tejas fighters. Your journey could shape national security for decades.
Final Thoughts: Your Call to Duty Awaits
The UPSC NDA 2 2025 result isn’t an endpoint but a beginning. To the 4,500 qualifiers: Gear up for SSB—your nation needs leaders like you. To others: Dust off, recalibrate, and charge ahead. Defence careers offer not just honor but purpose in a volatile world.
Stay connected for SSB tips, mock interviews, and updates. What’s your takeaway from this result? Share in comments—let’s build a community of warriors!
Word Count: 1,048 | Posted on October 8, 2025 | Category: Results
4. Result Link (URL)
Download the official merit list and check your status here: upsc.gov.in. Look under “What’s New” for the NDA & NA (II) 2025 result PDF. For SSB details, visit joinindianarmy.nic.in.
