NDA 1 & NDA 2 Cut Off Marks Last 5 Years: Complete Year-Wise Analysis
NDA cut off marks are the first thing every aspirant wants to know, and it is a fair question: “How many marks do I actually need?” Months of preparation go into this exam, and a clear target makes that effort easier to manage. The best way to set that target is to look at the past.
In this guide, we go through the NDA 1 cut off and NDA 2 cut off of the last 5 years (2021 to 2025), covering both the written and the final merit cut-off. We also explain what the trend means for your preparation, so that whether you study on your own or join NDA coaching, you know exactly what score to aim for.
Quick Answer: NDA Cut Off Marks at a Glance
- The written exam cut-off has ranged from about 291 to 360 marks out of 900 in the last five years.
- The final merit cut-off (written + SSB) has ranged from about 654 to 737 marks out of 1800.
- Candidates must also score the minimum sectional marks in each paper, usually 25%.
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What Is the NDA Cut Off? Two Stages You Should Understand
Many students mix up the two cut-offs. They are different, and you need to clear both.
1. Written exam cut-off (out of 900): After the written exam, UPSC sets a minimum qualifying score. Only candidates above it are called for the SSB interview. The paper has two parts, Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600 marks).
2. Final merit cut-off (out of 1800): After the SSB interview and medical, UPSC adds your written marks (900) and SSB marks (900). The score of the last recommended candidate becomes the final cut-off.
So the written cut-off gets you to the SSB. The final cut-off decides whether you get a seat.
NDA 1 Cut Off Marks: Last 5 Years
| Year | Written Cut-Off (out of 900) | Final Cut-Off (out of 1800) |
|---|---|---|
|
NDA 1 2021 |
343 |
709 |
|
NDA 1 2022 |
360 |
720 |
|
NDA 1 2023 |
301 |
664 |
|
NDA 1 2024 |
291 |
654 |
|
NDA 1 2025 |
334 |
699 |
NDA 2 Cut Off Marks: Last 5 Years
| Year | Written Cut-Off (out of 900) | Final Cut-Off (out of 1800) |
|---|---|---|
|
NDA 1 2021 |
355 |
726 |
|
NDA 1 2022 |
316 |
678 |
|
NDA 1 2023 |
292 |
656 |
|
NDA 1 2024 |
305 |
673 |
|
NDA 1 2025 |
304.90 (male) / 358.84 (female) |
666.01 (male) / 737.40 (female) |
What the numbers tell us:
- NDA 2 2021 set the high mark at 355 written and 726 final.
- The cut-off then eased through 2022 and 2023 before recovering a little in 2024.
- From NDA 2 2025, UPSC published separate cut-offs for male and female candidates. The difference is large, so female aspirants should plan around the higher figures.
A few patterns stand out:
- The cut-off is not fixed. It moves with paper difficulty, number of vacancies and how well the whole batch performs.
- Tougher papers lower the cut-off. In years when the Maths or GAT paper felt hard, the cut-off dropped.
- There is no real “safe” low score. Even in the easiest years, the last selected candidate crossed 650 out of 1800.
What These Cut Offs Mean for Your Preparation
Cut-off marks are a guide, not a promise. Here is how we suggest our students use them.
Aim higher than the cut-off. If you only target the lowest number, one difficult paper can end your attempt. For the written exam, aim for a comfortable score well above 350. This is our coaching guidance, not an official figure.
Don’t ignore the sectional minimum. A strong GAT score cannot save you if Maths falls below the minimum, and the same applies the other way around. Balance both papers.
Respect the SSB. The SSB carries 900 marks, exactly as much as the written exam. Many aspirants spend all their time on books and leave personality and officer-like qualities for later. Start early.
Practise accuracy, not just speed. NDA has negative marking. Careless wrong answers cost you more than unattempted questions.
Revise the syllabus in layers. If you haven’t yet, read our guide on the NDA Syllabus 2027: Subject-Wise Topics for Maths, English & General Knowledge and plan your study around it.
How NDA Coaching Helps You Beat the Cut-Off
Self-study works for some students, but most aspirants need structure, regular tests and honest feedback. Good NDA coaching gives you:
- A syllabus plan that covers Maths and GAT in the right order
- Regular mock tests that copy the real exam pattern
- Doubt-clearing sessions so small gaps don’t become big problems
- SSB guidance from people who have seen the process from the inside
At Delhi Career Group, our faculty includes retired SSB officers who understand both the written exam and the interview stage. Hostel facility is available at all five branches, so students from other cities can focus on their studies.
Our NDA Coaching Branches
Choose the branch closest to you:
- NDA Coaching in Delhi
- NDA Coaching in Pune
- NDA Coaching in Chandigarh
- NDA Coaching in Bhopal
- NDA Coaching in Kolkata
Planning for the next attempt? See our update on NDA 1 2027: Age Limit, Notification, Exam Date, Syllabus & Eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
The written cut-off was 334 out of 900, and the final cut-off was 699 out of 1800.
The written cut-off was 304.90 for male and 358.84 for female candidates. The final cut-off was 666.01 for male and 737.40 for female candidates.
The lowest was NDA 1 2024, at 654 out of 1800.
The highest was NDA 2 2025 for female candidates at 737.40. For male candidates, it was NDA 2 2021 at 726.
UPSC sets one written cut-off for all wings. The final merit depends on your rank and the wing you choose.
There is no guaranteed safe score, because the cut-off changes each year. A strong written score above 350, plus a good SSB performance, keeps you in a comfortable position.
Yes. It depends on paper difficulty, vacancies and overall candidate performance.
Final Words
The last five years show one clear thing: the NDA cut-off moves, but the need for steady, balanced preparation never does. Study smart, practise regularly, and give the SSB the same attention as the written paper.
If you want expert guidance, join NDA coaching at Delhi Career Group in Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh, Bhopal or Kolkata. Our team will help you build a plan, one step at a time, toward the Khadakwasla gate.