The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2016 continues to remain an important reference point for defence aspirants preparing for NDA and NA exams. Many candidates regularly search for the official cut-off marks to understand the competition level and benchmark their preparation. The officially released cut-off marks provide clear insight into how many marks were required to qualify the written exam and the final selection stage during the 2016 examination cycle.
I am writing about this topic because previous years’ cut-off marks play a crucial role in exam preparation strategy. Aspirants often underestimate the importance of analysing cut-offs, but doing so helps in setting realistic score targets. For students aiming to join the armed forces through NDA or NA, knowing historical cut-off trends can help them prepare more confidently and avoid guesswork.
About NDA and NA Examination (II), 2016
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission. The exam selects candidates for admission into the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy, where they undergo rigorous training to become officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The 2016 (II) examination was held to fill vacancies for courses commencing in the following academic term.
NDA and NA (II) 2016 Cut-off Marks Explained
The cut-off marks are released in two parts:
- Written Examination Cut-off
- Final Cut-off (Written Exam + SSB Interview)
The written exam cut-off determines eligibility for the Services Selection Board interview, while the final cut-off decides overall merit and selection.
These marks vary every year depending on exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and candidate performance.
Why NDA and NA Cut-off Marks Matter
Cut-off marks help aspirants understand the minimum score required to stay competitive. They also show how much margin exists between qualifying and final selection marks.
For candidates preparing for upcoming NDA or NA exams, analysing the 2016 cut-off helps in understanding long-term trends and preparing a safer score buffer.
NDA and NA (II) 2016 Cut-off – Key Highlights
Some important points aspirants should note:
- Cut-offs are different for written exam and final merit
- Meeting the written cut-off does not guarantee final selection
- SSB interview performance plays a critical role in final merit
- Medical fitness is mandatory after clearing SSB
Understanding this full process is essential for realistic preparation.
How to Download NDA and NA (II) 2016 Official Cut-off Marks PDF
Candidates can download the official cut-off marks PDF by following these steps:
- Visit the official UPSC website
- Click on the “Examinations” section
- Go to “Cut-off Marks”
- Select “National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2016”
- Download and save the PDF for reference
Always rely on the official UPSC website to ensure accuracy.

















