The NDA 2 2026 cutoff is an important update for candidates who appeared in the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination conducted by UPSC. Candidates are looking for the official cutoff PDF, expected qualifying marks, written result and next steps after the examination.
The written examination was held on 13 September 2026, and UPSC announced the written result on 9 October 2026. The official NDA 2 2026 cutoff marks have not yet been released. According to UPSC’s announcement, the marks and cutoff will be published after the entire selection process is complete and the final result is declared.
In this article, we explain the expected cutoff, official PDF download process, result status, previous cutoff trends and what qualified candidates should do next.
NDA 2 2026 Cutoff: Latest Update
Here are the important details of the NDA 2 2026 examination.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam name | NDA and NA Examination II 2026 |
| Conducting authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam date | 13 September 2026 |
| Written result date | 9 October 2026 |
| Written examination marks | 900 |
| SSB interview marks | 900 |
| Official written cutoff | Awaited |
| Official cutoff PDF | Awaited |
| Result status | Declared |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |
As confirmed by the official Press Information Bureau announcement, candidates who qualified in the written examination have been shortlisted for the SSB interview, subject to the applicable conditions.
Important: The written result is available, but the official NDA 2 2026 cutoff marks will be published later. Do not confuse expected cutoff marks with the official cutoff.
NDA 2 2026 Expected Cutoff Marks
Many candidates want to know how many marks are required to qualify for the NDA 2 2026 SSB interview.
The actual cutoff depends on the examination’s difficulty level, candidate performance and the qualifying standards prescribed by UPSC. The official cutoff has not been announced, so any number published before the official release is only an estimate.
Expected NDA 2 2026 written cutoff
The following is an illustrative estimate for preparation and score comparison, not an official UPSC prediction.
| Score out of 900 | General interpretation |
| Below 300 | Qualification may be difficult, depending on the actual cutoff |
| 300–319 | A borderline range for planning purposes |
| 320–349 | A potentially competitive range, subject to the actual cutoff |
| 350 and above | A stronger written score, but qualification is not guaranteed |
These ranges are indicative only. They are not based on an official NDA 2 2026 cutoff announcement, and no candidate should treat them as confirmed qualifying marks.
A candidate’s actual qualification depends on the official cutoff and applicable minimum qualifying standards.
What is the minimum qualifying mark in NDA?
Under the standard NDA written examination scheme, UPSC has prescribed minimum qualifying standards for individual papers in previous notifications, including a minimum of 25% marks in each paper. Candidates should verify the exact applicable conditions in the relevant notification.
The written examination carries 900 marks:
- Mathematics: 300 marks.
- General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks.
Meeting the minimum qualifying standard in each paper does not automatically guarantee an SSB call-up. Candidates must also meet the applicable overall cutoff.
NDA 2 2026 Official Cutoff PDF Download
Candidates can download the official NDA 2 2026 cutoff PDF from the UPSC website after it is released.
Follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website
- Open the Examination section.
- Select Cut-off Marks.
- Find National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026.
- Click the available PDF link.
- Open the document and check the written and final cutoff marks
The NDA 2 2026 cutoff PDF is not yet available as of 13 October 2026. UPSC has stated that marks and cutoff information will be uploaded after the entire selection process, including the final result, is complete.
Candidates should use the official UPSC website rather than unofficial websites claiming to provide a confirmed cutoff PDF.
Read Also: NDA 1 2027 Notification: Exam Date, Eligibility, Application Form and Syllabus
NDA 2 2026 Result: How to Check Your Result
UPSC declared the NDA 2 2026 written result on 9 October 2026.
The written result PDF contains the roll numbers of candidates who qualified for the next stage. Candidates can check their result without waiting for the cutoff marks to be published.
Steps to check NDA 2 2026 result
- Visit the official UPSC website
- Look for the NDA and NA Examination II 2026 written result.
- Open the official result PDF.
- Search for your roll number using the PDF search function.
- Download the document for future reference.
If your roll number appears in the result PDF, you have qualified for the written stage and can proceed according to the official SSB instructions. Your candidature remains subject to the prescribed conditions.
NDA 2 2026 Previous Year Cutoff Marks
Previous cutoff marks help candidates understand the general level of competition. However, the cutoff can change from one examination cycle to another.
UPSC publishes cutoff marks in its official cutoff archive. Candidates should consult that archive for verified historical figures.
| Examination | Official reference |
| NDA II 2025 | Available in the UPSC cutoff archive |
| NDA I 2025 | Available in the UPSC cutoff archive |
| NDA II 2024 | Available in the UPSC cutoff archive |
| NDA I 2024 | Available in the UPSC cutoff archive |
| NDA II 2026 | Awaiting official publication |
Historical cutoffs should be used as a guide, not as a guarantee. A higher or lower cutoff in a previous year does not establish what the cutoff will be in 2026.
Factors That Can Affect NDA 2 2026 Cutoff
Several factors can influence the cutoff marks.
1. Difficulty level of the examination
If the papers are more challenging, candidates may find it harder to achieve high scores. An easier paper can produce a different score distribution.
2. Candidate performance
The overall performance of candidates also affects the cutoff. The difficulty of individual questions is only one part of the picture.
3. Minimum qualifying standards
Candidates must satisfy the prescribed paper-wise qualifying requirements as well as the applicable overall cutoff.
4. Selection requirements and vacancies
The examination is conducted as a part of the overall selection process, which also includes SSB Assessment, Medical Fitness, Merit, Number of vacancies etc. The outcome of selection is not only based on written cut-off.
How to Estimate Your NDA 2 2026 Written Score
If you have sat the examination before, then you can make an estimation of the marks using the question paper and the marking scheme.
The written exam consists of two papers:
- Mathematics: 300 marks.
- GAT: 600 marks.
Incorrect answers will be corrected by means of negative marking. So you need to consider the correct and incorrect answers in your prediction of the score.
Don’t take the number of correct answers exactly at face value and compare it to the cut-off. Calculate your marks using the appropriate marking scheme, and compare with historical cut-offs, keeping in mind that the official cut-off for 2026 is yet to be released.
Conclusion
The written result of the NDA 2 2026 is declared on 9 October 2026 and the official cutoff marks are yet to be released. The eligible candidates can download his/her written result from the UPSC website and go for the next stage of preparation.
Note that “expected marks” is not “official marks”. Compare with the UPSC cutoff archive for history, refer the official instructions of SSB and don’t trust unverified predictions of cutoffs.
To get the most accurate information, please visit the official UPSC website for the NDA 2 2026 cutoff PDF, marks and final result.
Read Also: NDA Exam Syllabus 2026: Complete NDA Subjects, Maths, Physics, Chemistry & Biology Guide
