The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the NDA 1 2024 Cut-Off Marks for the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination (I), 2024. Alongside this, the cut-off for NDA 1 2023 is also available, offering a clear view of trends, standards, and expectations for future aspirants.
This article presents:
✅ Official NDA 1 2024 and NDA 1 2023 Cut-Off Marks
✅ Written vs Final Cut-Off comparison
✅ Year-on-year trends
✅ Tie-breaking criteria
✅ Detailed preparation insights
Let’s explore everything you need to know.
📌 NDA 1 2024 Cut-Off: Official Details
| Stage | Cut-Off Marks | Subject-Wise Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | 291 out of 900 | 20% in each subject |
| Final Selection | 654 out of 1800 | – |
📌 NDA 1 2023 Cut-Off: Official Details (For Comparison)
| Stage | Cut-Off Marks | Subject-Wise Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | 301 out of 900 | 25% in each subject |
| Final Selection | 664 out of 1800 | – |
📊 NDA Cut-Off Comparison (2023 vs 2024)
| Category | NDA 1 2023 | NDA 1 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Exam Cut-Off | 301 | 291 | ⬇️ Decreased by 10 marks |
| Subject-Wise Minimum | 25% | 20% | ⬇️ Lowered for easier qualification |
| Final Selection Cut-Off | 664 | 654 | ⬇️ Decreased by 10 marks |
🔍 Key Takeaway: The cut-off has slightly decreased in 2024, indicating either a tougher paper or more relaxed qualifying norms. Lowering the subject-wise threshold also signals a broader opportunity for aspirants.
🧠 NDA Selection Process – Key Points
Written Examination (900 Marks):
Two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks)
Must secure the overall cut-off plus minimum marks in each subject
SSB Interview (900 Marks):
Conducted over 5 days, including psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews.
Final Merit List:
Based on total score out of 1800 (Written + SSB)
⚖️ Tie-Breaking Principles
In both 2023 and 2024, UPSC has followed these rules when two or more candidates secured the same final marks:
✅ Older candidate ranked higher
✅ If age is the same, the candidate with higher written exam marks is ranked higher
📈 NDA Cut-Off Trend (Last 2 Years)
| Year | Written Cut-Off | Final Cut-Off | Subject-Wise Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 291 | 654 | 20% |
| 2023 | 301 | 664 | 25% |
This trend shows a marginal decrease in overall cut-offs, possibly to accommodate higher difficulty levels or provide wider inclusion.
👩✈️ Female Participation in NDA – A Growing Trend
Over the past two years, UPSC has steadily increased opportunities for female candidates in the NDA and NA. Though exact numbers aren’t reflected here, the trend underscores the growing inclusivity and modernization of India’s Armed Forces.
🔮 NDA 2 2024 Expectations
Based on recent trends:
Cut-offs may hover around 290–310 for the written exam
Subject-wise minimum may remain at 20%
Competition is expected to be strong, especially at the SSB stage
🧩 Preparation Tip: Balance your focus between GAT and Maths, and start early SSB interview practice including psychological tests and group tasks.
📣 Final Thoughts
The NDA 1 2024 Cut-Off shows a slight easing compared to 2023, providing aspirants with more confidence to attempt. While clearing the written exam is a significant milestone, SSB interview performance remains the ultimate decider in the final merit list.
Whether you’re targeting NDA 2 2024 or future attempts, consistency, discipline, and a solid understanding of fundamentals will take you far.
🔗 Explore More
FAQs on NDA Cut-Off
Q1. What is the NDA cut-off?
Ans: The NDA cut-off is the minimum score required to qualify for the next stage of the selection process — the SSB interview. It is released separately for the written exam and the final selection (Written + SSB).
Q2. What was the NDA 1 2024 written cut-off?
Ans: The written exam cut-off for NDA 1 2024 was 291 out of 900 with at least 20% marks in each subject.
Q3. What was the final NDA 1 2024 cut-off (after SSB)?
Ans: The final cut-off (Written + SSB) was 654 out of 1800.
Q4. Is there a sectional cut-off in NDA?
Ans: Yes, candidates must score a minimum percentage in each subject — for NDA 1 2024, it was 20% in Maths and GAT.
Q5. What happens if I meet the total cut-off but not the subject-wise minimum?
Ans: You will be disqualified. Candidates must clear both the total cut-off and subject-wise minimum to qualify for the SSB interview.
Q6. How is the NDA final merit list prepared?
Ans: The final merit list is based on the aggregate marks out of 1800 (900 for the written exam and 900 for the SSB interview).
Q7. How are ties resolved in NDA results?
Ans: UPSC resolves ties using the following rules:
Candidate older in age is ranked higher.
If age is the same, the one with more marks in the written exam is ranked higher.
Q8. Do cut-offs change every year?
Ans: Yes, cut-offs vary each year based on factors like:
Difficulty level of the paper
Number of candidates
Number of available seats
Q9. Can I qualify for SSB with the minimum cut-off score?
Ans: Yes, if you meet both the overall and subject-wise minimum cut-off, you will be shortlisted for the SSB interview. However, scoring higher improves your chances of final selection.
Q10. Where can I find the official NDA cut-off marks?
Ans: UPSC publishes official cut-off marks on its official website after the final results are declared.
🎯 Stay ahead in your NDA journey with Victor Growth, your trusted guide for Defence and Civil Services coaching.
