The cut-off marks for the 2018 session of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) (NDA & NA 2018-II) have been officially published. Candidates who appeared in that exam can now download the PDF to check the minimum qualifying standards at the written stage and final marks of the last recommended candidate.
I’m writing this as many defence-aspirants often look for past cut-off data to assess competition levels, set preparation targets and understand selection trends. Having easy access to the official 2018 (II) cut-off helps aspirants judge how written exam performance translated into final selection, and estimate what kind of score might still count today. Such insights are especially useful for new applicants and repeaters alike — to plan strategy, track changes over time, and prepare more smartly rather than just studying blindly.
What the 2018-II Cut-off PDF Contains
The official document released by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) lists:
- Minimum qualifying standard at the written stage (out of 900 marks)
- Marks secured by the last recommended candidate after all stages (out of 1800 marks)
- Requirement to secure at least 25% marks in each paper (Mathematics and General Ability Test)
According to the record, for NDA & NA 2018 (II), the written exam cut-off was 325 out of 900 (with the 25% subject-wise rule applied), and the final cut-off — the total marks of the last recommended candidate — was 688 out of 1800.
Why These Numbers Matter
- The written stage cut-off helps aspirants understand the baseline required to qualify for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview — a crucial gate before final selection.
- The final cut-off (1800 marks) shows how competitive the selection was when written results were combined with SSB performance, interviews and medicals.
- Analysing past cut-offs lets aspirants gauge exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and relative competition — useful for setting realistic targets.
How to Download the Official Cut-off PDF
To get the official document:
- Visit the UPSC website.
- Go to the “Examinations” → “Cut-off Marks” or “Archives” section.
- Look for “National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2018 – CutOff-NDA-II-18-Engl.pdf”.
- Download and save the file for reference.
Using this PDF directly ensures you refer to accurate, official data rather than third-party estimates or memory-based figures.
