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NDA Selection Process

From the OMR sheet to the parade ground — every gate you must clear.

  1. 1. Written Examination

    Two objective papers conducted on a single day — Mathematics (300) and General Ability Test (600). Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks fixed by UPSC at its discretion.

  2. 2. SSB — Stage I

    Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT) on the day of reporting. Only candidates who clear Stage I proceed to Stage II.

  3. 3. SSB — Stage II

    Interview, Group Testing Officer tasks, Psychology tests and the Conference, spread over four days. The candidate is assessed by the Interviewing Officer, Group Testing Officer and Psychologist independently — there is no separate weightage; final assessment is holistic.

  4. 4. CPSS (Flying branch only)

    Computerised Pilot Selection System / Pilot Aptitude Battery Test. Given only once in a lifetime — the grade you receive holds for all future Air Force selections. A candidate who fails CPSS cannot apply again for the Flying branch or General Duties (Pilot).

  5. 5. Medical Board

    Recommended candidates undergo medical examination by a Board of Service Medical Officers. Candidates declared unfit are informed by the Board President and may request an Appeal Medical Board, followed by a Review Medical Board if needed.

  6. 6. Final Merit & Joining

    Qualified candidates are placed on a combined merit list based on Written + SSB marks. Allocation to Army, Navy, Air Force or Naval Academy is by merit, medical fitness and order of preference. Joining instructions are issued via the online portal; reporting must be within 7 days.

Qualifying principles

  • Minimum qualifying marks in the written examination — fixed by UPSC.
  • Minimum qualifying marks in the Officer Potentiality Test — fixed by the SSB.
  • Air Force candidates and willing eligible SSB-qualified candidates additionally clear CPSS.
  • Success in the examination confers no right of admission — the appointing authority must be satisfied of suitability in all respects.

Flying branch — CPSS at a glance

  • Every candidate for Flying branch must clear CPSS in addition to SSB.
  • Candidates failing CPSS or in Habitual Wearer of Glasses (HWG) category may still be considered for Ground Duties / Army / Navy / NAVAC as per preferences.
  • Willingness for CPSS must be declared at the Selection Centre before the medical examination starts.

Where SSB happens

SSB interviews for NDA-II written-qualified candidates are typically held between December and January of the following year, subject to the Recruiting Directorate schedule. After clearing the written, register on:

  • • www.joinindianarmy.nic.in — Army candidates
  • • www.joinindiannavy.gov.in — Navy / Naval Academy candidates
  • • Air Force first-choice candidates also register on joinindianarmy.nic.in for AFSB and date selection.

Source: UPSC NDA & NA Examination Notification — sections on Two-stage Selection, SSB and Admission.