The UPSC NDA & NA 2026 selection process consists of two main stages: a written examination carrying 900 marks and an SSB Interview carrying 900 marks, totaling 1800 marks. Candidates face negative marking of 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question for wrong answers in the objective written paper.
Stage 1: Written Examination
The written exam is conducted offline using OMR sheets and consists of two objective multiple-choice papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 150 mins (2.5 hrs) |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 150 mins (2.5 hrs) |
Paper 1 evaluates fundamental concepts in algebra, trigonometry, matrices, calculus, and statistics. Paper 2 (GAT) tests English proficiency alongside general knowledge covering Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Events. Candidates must clear subject-wise qualifying cutoffs as well as an overall written score to qualify for the next stage.
Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks allotted to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer. Specifically, 0.83 marks are deducted per wrong answer in Mathematics, and 1.33 marks are deducted per wrong answer in GAT.
Stage 2: SSB Interview
Candidates who clear the written examination are called for a 5-day Services Selection Board (SSB) interview process, evaluated out of 900 marks.
| Stage | Tests Included | Nature | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSB Stage 1 | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) & PP&DT | Screening (Day 1) | 900 |
| SSB Stage 2 | Psychology Tests, GTO Tasks, Personal Interview & Conference | Detailed Assessment (Days 2-5) |
Stage 1 acts as a screening test; only candidates who qualify are retained for Stage 2 testing over the remaining days. The process assesses mental aptitude, officer-like qualities, leadership, physical endurance, and psychological fitness. Recommended candidates subsequently undergo a thorough medical examination.
Negative Marking: There is no negative marking in the SSB Interview stage. Evaluation is holistic based on personality traits, psychological tests, and group task performance.
Marking & Normalization
No normalization process is applied since the written exam is held simultaneously for all candidates across India in a single shift per paper. The final merit list is computed based on the sum of marks obtained in the Written Examination (900 marks) and the SSB Interview (900 marks), totaling 1800 marks. Candidates must qualify both stages independently to feature in the final merit list for allocation to the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Naval Academy.
Pattern FAQs
Q1: What is the total mark allocation for the UPSC NDA exam?
The total exam valuation is 1800 marks, split equally between the Written Examination (900 marks) and the SSB Interview (900 marks).
Q2: Is there negative marking in the NDA written exam?
Yes, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for wrong answers (0.83 marks in Mathematics and 1.33 marks in GAT).
Q3: Are both papers of the NDA written exam held on the same day?
Yes, Mathematics (Morning shift) and General Ability Test (Afternoon shift) are held on the same day, each lasting 2.5 hours.
Q4: How is the final merit list calculated for NDA?
The final merit list is prepared strictly on the combined scores of the written exam (900) and the SSB interview (900), subject to medical fitness and availability of vacancies.