NDA 1 2025 Paper Analysis and Expected Cut-Off Marks – Shield Defence Academy

The NDA 1 2025 examination, held on 13th April 2025 by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), witnessed the participation of thousands of aspirants vying for a career in the prestigious Indian Armed Forces. As one of India’s most competitive entrance exams, the NDA exam serves as the first step toward joining the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy.

Now that the exam has concluded, it’s time to deep-dive into the paper’s structure, difficulty level, section-wise performance, and most importantly, the expected cut-off marks. Here at Shield Defence Academy, we bring you a comprehensive and strategic breakdown of the exam to help you evaluate your performance and plan ahead.

🔍 NDA 1 2025 Exam Overview

🧠 NDA 1 2025 Paper Analysis

📐 Mathematics Paper

The Math paper was reported to be moderate to tough, with many questions requiring strong fundamentals and sharp problem-solving skills. The focus was on topics like Calculus, Algebra, Trigonometry, and Statistics, which demanded conceptual clarity as well as speed.

Key Highlights:

• Concept-based numericals dominated the paper
• Some questions featured tricky option patterns (like repeated answer options)
• Candidates who practiced PYQs (Previous Year Questions) had a noticeable edge

✅ Ideal Attempts: 55–65 Questions

✅ Accuracy Benchmark: 80% and above

📚 General Ability Test (GAT)

The GAT paper, comprising English and General Knowledge, maintained a moderate difficulty level. The English portion focused on grammar, idioms, vocabulary, and comprehension. The GK section included Static GK, Science, Current Affairs, Polity, History, and Geography.

English Section Topics:

• Synonyms/Antonyms
• Sentence arrangement
• Fill in the blanks
• Error spotting
• Idioms & phrases

General Knowledge Breakdown:

✅ Ideal Attempts: 85–95 Questions

✅ Accuracy Benchmark: 75% and above

📊 Difficulty Level Summary

📈 NDA 1 2025 Expected Cut-Off

The cut-off marks are influenced by factors such as paper difficulty, number of applicants, and overall performance trends. Based on current analysis and previous year trends, here’s what we expect for NDA 1 2025:

⚠️ Note: Candidates must also score a minimum of 25% marks in both papers to qualify for the SSB stage.

🧾 Previous Year Cut-Off Trends

The trend shows consistent competition and an increasing need for accuracy and consistency.

🪖 What’s Next? SSB Interview Preparation

Clearing the written exam is just the beginning! The SSB Interview, carrying equal weight (900 marks), is the real test of your personality, leadership skills, and mental stamina. At Shield Defence Academy, we provide:

• Daily psychological and GTO training
• Personalized PI coaching with retired defence officers
• Physical training for ground tasks
• Mock SSB simulations and feedback sessions

🎯 Final Words from Shield Defence Academy

The NDA 1 2025 paper was a solid test of both intelligence and composure. While some sections were challenging, focused preparation and strategic attempts would have helped serious aspirants stay ahead.

If you’re scoring anywhere around 340–360 and maintained high accuracy, you have a strong chance of moving forward to the next stage. Start preparing for the SSB without delay and let Shield Defence Academy help you cross the final hurdle.

📍 Visit us in Lucknow or connect with us online to begin your NDA success journey!

📞 Contact Details:

• Website: www.shielddefenceacademy.com
• Phone: +91-94545-51848
• Location: Alambagh & Indira Nagar, Lucknow