UPSC National Defence Academy NDA II Examination 2025 Final Result

UPSC NDA II 2025 — What the Final Result Means

UPSC has released the Final Result for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA II) 2025. This result comes after two rounds: the Written Exam and the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview and psychological testing. If your name appears in this final merit list, you are recommended for appointment as a Cadet at the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla, Pune) or Naval Academy (Ezhimala, Kerala).

Getting through NDA — written + SSB — is genuinely difficult. The SSB alone has a pass rate of 4–7% of candidates who appear. The final result is a true achievement. Candidates are allocated to the Army, Navy, or Air Force arm of NDA based on merit and their preference.

The NDA Training — What the Next 3 Years Look Like

After joining, you spend 3 years at NDA Khadakwasla as a Cadet. This is a joint training phase — Army, Navy, and Air Force cadets train together for the first two years, then specialise in the third. Training covers:

• Academic curriculum: You study for a BSc or BA degree through JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) affiliation. Subjects include Physics, Maths, History, Computer Science depending on your arm.
• Military training: Drill, tactics, weapons handling, map reading, obstacle courses, leadership exercises.
• Physical training: Morning PT is non-negotiable — running, swimming, gymnastics, equestrian. Physical standards at NDA are extremely high and maintained throughout.
• Wing-specific training (Year 3): Army cadets go to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Naval cadets to Naval Academy, Ezhimala. Air Force cadets to Air Force Academy, Dundigal.

Stipend during training: approximately ₹56,100/month (Level 10 pay) even as a Cadet. After commissioning as Lieutenant/Sub-Lieutenant, pay increases to ₹56,100 basic + Military Service Pay + DA + allowances — in-hand typically ₹85,000–₹1,00,000+.

Army / Navy / Air Force — How Allocation Works

Your NDA merit rank determines your arm allocation. The top rankers usually get their first preference (Army or Air Force are typically most in demand; Naval allocation is based on specific vacancies). Naval Academy candidates who clear the Naval Academy Examination (NA portion of NDA) join directly for Naval-specific training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: After NDA, can I switch from Army to Air Force or Navy?

No. Once commissioned in an arm (Army, Navy, Air Force), you serve that arm for life. Switching between arms is not possible. This makes your SSB preference and NDA rank very important for arm allocation — think carefully about which service you want before the process.

Q: What happens to candidates not in the Final Result?

Candidates who cleared the Written Exam but failed SSB can reappear for NDA exams. The age limit is up to 19.5 years (for unmarried male candidates). If you're within the age bracket, you can apply for the next NDA exam cycle (NDA I or II, published twice a year). SSB feedback is valuable — most candidates improve significantly on their second or third attempt.

Q: Is there a medical examination after the final result?

Yes. After the final merit list, selected candidates undergo a Detailed Medical Examination (DME) at a Military Hospital. Standards are extremely strict for all three services — eyesight (especially for Air Force — uncorrected vision requirements), color vision, hearing, and overall fitness. Candidates who fail DME can apply for Special Medical Board review. Medical rejection is the most common reason for final selected candidates not joining.