NDA · Cutoff

NDA Cutoff 2026 — expected score & rank bands

What does your score in National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination actually get you? These bands map a mock/exam percentage to the rank window and outcomes that score range has typically achieved.

AI-curated from historic cutoff patterns — indicative, not official. Always verify with the latest official notification.

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Score → rank → outcome bands

• Top 500 — Merit list leaders

  92–100%rank ~1–500

  • Elite written performance — approximately top 0.5% of 400,000+ applicants
  • Final merit depends on SSB (900 marks vs 900 written marks)
  • All three academies and branches accessible based on preference
  • Air Force Flying branch — highly competitive even for top rankers (needs PABT + medical)
  • IMA Arms like Armoured Corps, Artillery — top choices available
  • INA Executive (General Service) — direct path to naval command roles

• All-India top 1500

  85–92%rank ~500–1,500

  • Outstanding written score — top 1-2% nationally
  • Virtually certain SSB call for all three services
  • Service and branch choice mostly candidate's preference
  • IMA — Regiment of Artillery, Corps of Engineers, Corps of Signals accessible
  • AFA Flying branch — strong candidacy if medically fit (Class I medical)
  • INA Executive branch — command-oriented naval career path

• Top merit range

  75–85%rank ~1,500–4,000

  • Excellent written performance — approximately top 3-4% candidates
  • Strong position for first-choice service allocation
  • IMA — preferred arms like Armoured Corps, Mechanised Infantry competitive
  • INA — Executive branch (General Service) highly likely with good SSB
  • AFA — Flying branch realistic with PABT clearance and medical standards
  • Last year's final merit list typically had General category cut-off around rank 2500-3500

• Strong SSB call likelihood

  65–75%rank ~4,000–8,000