NDA 2 2026 Expected Cut Off: Written and Final Merit Analysis

Your NDA 2 2026 exam is done. Now comes the harder wait: did you score enough? The NDA 2 2026 expected cut off is the number every post-exam candidate is calculating right now, and this guide gives you the most grounded projection available before UPSC releases the official result. The same principle applies to the broader nda cut off 2026 picture

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These figures are estimates built from vacancy counts, previous year patterns, and difficulty analysis. They are not UPSC-declared figures. Use them to benchmark honestly, not to panic or relax prematurely. That matters especially when it comes to the nda 2 2026 expected cut off.

What Is the NDA 2 2026 Expected Written Cut Off?

The NDA written exam, 900 marks total, is the first filter every candidate must clear. Based on the confirmed UPSC NDA vacancy 394 for NDA 2 2026 and prior-year trends, the projected NDA written cut off category wise breaks down as follows:

• General: 300 to 320 marks

• OBC: 280 to 295 marks

• SC: 250 to 265 marks

• ST: 230 to 245 marks

These ranges reflect the NDA SC ST category cut off norms and NDA OBC relaxation that UPSC has historically applied. The NDA cut off 2026 written stage is projected to stay close to 2024 and 2025 levels unless the paper difficulty shifts significantly. According to Testbook's NDA cut off tracker, General category scores have hovered between 300 and 330 across recent cycles.

NDA Cut Off Trends: Written vs Final Merit (2021 to 2025)

Looking at NDA previous year cut off marks reveals a consistent and important pattern. The written cut off and the NDA final merit list cut off are separated by roughly 150 to 200 marks in every cycle.

• NDA 1 2021: Written ~343, Final merit ~688

• NDA 2 2021: Written ~325, Final merit ~664

• NDA 1 2022: Written ~360, Final merit ~700

• NDA 2 2022: Written ~355, Final merit ~695

• NDA 1 2025: Written ~310, Final merit ~665

That gap is not random. It reflects exactly how much weight the SSB interview score adds to a candidate's NDA total marks 1800. Candidates who clear the written stage with average scores can still land a strong NDA merit list ranking by performing well at SSB. For anyone anxious about a borderline NDA written score, this trend is the single most important data point to keep in mind.

How Do 394 Vacancies Affect NDA 2 2026 Cut Off?

The relationship between vacancies and written cut offs is inverse. More vacancies means UPSC calls more candidates to SSB, which can push the written cut off slightly lower than cycles with fewer seats.

The NDA 2 notification 2026 confirmed 394 total Army Navy Air Force NDA seats. Comparing this against the 2024 cycle, which had slightly fewer vacancies, suggests the 2026 written cut off may ease marginally for General candidates. The difference is rarely more than 10 to 15 marks, though, so candidates should not count on a dramatic drop.

According to freejobalert's NDA 2 2026 coverage, the NDA 2 exam date 2026 and vacancy details are officially set, giving analysts a firm base to project realistic score ranges. The key takeaway: 394 vacancies is a reasonable count, so the written cut off for General is unlikely to fall below 295.

NDA 2 2026 Paper Difficulty and Safe Score Benchmarking

NDA Maths expected difficulty for the 2026 paper is rated moderate to hard by analysts tracking the NDA 2 2026 cycle. The NDA GAT cut off, covering the General Ability Test, is expected to be achievable at moderate difficulty.

Given those assessments, the NDA safe score 2026 benchmarks break down as follows:

• Army (General): Written score of 315 to 325 is considered safe

• Navy (General): Written score of 320 to 330, as Navy seats are fewer and competition is sharper

• Air Force (General): Written score of 325 to 340, given the technical screening requirements

• OBC candidates: A written score above 285 provides a reasonable buffer

For General category candidates, a score of 320 or above is the realistic NDA safe score 2026 for written clearance with confidence.

NDA Final Merit Cut Off: How SSB Marks Change Everything

The NDA final merit list cut off refers to the combined score of the written stage and the SSB interview, totalling NDA total marks 1800. The written exam contributes 900 marks, and the SSB interview score adds another 900.

The NDA SSB marks weightage means a candidate who clears the written exam at the borderline can still achieve a high NDA merit list ranking by scoring strongly at SSB. For service-specific safe final merit scores, the targets are approximately:

• Army: Final merit of 650 to 680

• Navy: Final merit of 680 to 710

• Air Force: Final merit of 700 to 730

The SSB interview score is not a formality. Weighted equally to the entire written exam, it regularly determines whether a borderline written qualifier earns a seat or misses the list entirely.

Category-Wise NDA Cut Off Explained

NDA written cut off category wise relaxation refers to the lower qualifying thresholds UPSC sets for SC, ST, and OBC candidates compared to the General category. This policy ensures representation across communities and reflects constitutional reservation norms.

The NDA OBC relaxation typically places the OBC cut off 20 to 25 marks below General. The NDA SC ST category cut off falls further, roughly 50 to 70 marks below General, based on NDA previous year cut off marks patterns observed on platforms like Testbook and Shiksha.

SC and ST candidates should not aim merely for the projected minimum. A score meaningfully above the floor improves SSB call-up probability and provides room if the official UPSC NDA 2 result 2026 cuts come in slightly higher than projected.

FAQs

What is the NDA 2 2026 expected written cut off for General category?

The projected range is 300 to 320 marks out of 900. A score above 320 is considered a safe buffer for General category candidates based on NDA previous year cut off marks and the 394-vacancy count.

How does the vacancy count of 394 impact the expected cut off?

More vacancies lead to more SSB call-ups, which can moderate the written cut off slightly. The impact is typically 10 to 15 marks compared to lower-vacancy cycles.

What is the NDA final merit cut off and how is it different from the written cut off?

The NDA final merit list cut off is the combined score out of NDA total marks 1800. The written cut off is only the first filter out of 900 marks.

What is a safe score in NDA 2 2026 Maths and GAT to clear the written exam?

Given moderate-to-hard NDA Maths expected difficulty and moderate NDA GAT cut off expectations, aiming for 160 to 180 in Maths and 145 to 160 in GAT positions a General candidate safely above the projected cut off.

Can I make the NDA final merit list with a borderline written score?

Yes. The NDA SSB marks weightage is equal to the written exam, so a strong SSB interview score can compensate for a borderline NDA written score and push your final merit well into the qualifying range. If you are planning your next steps, also read our guide on Indian Army vs Navy: Which Career Is Better in 2026 to choose your service preference before SSB.