Why NDA Aspirants Get Merit Out? One Crucial Thing to Keep in Mind
Cracking the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is a dream for thousands of young aspirants in India. Every year, lakhs of students appear for the NDA written exam and SSB interview, but only a few finally make it to the merit list. Many capable candidates unfortunately get merit out, leaving them confused and demotivated.
At The Lakshya Academy, we have closely observed NDA preparation patterns and selection trends. In this blog, we explain why NDA aspirants get merit out and highlight one most important thing you must keep in mind to ensure your final selection.
What Does “Merit Out” Mean in NDA?
Being merit out means that a candidate has:
Cleared the NDA written examination, and
Successfully passed the SSB interview,
but still fails to secure a place in the final merit list due to low overall merit score or medical issues.
This is one of the most painful stages for NDA aspirants, as reaching this level already requires immense hard work and dedication.
Major Reasons Why NDA Aspirants Get Merit Out
1. Low Written Exam Score
Many aspirants focus heavily on SSB preparation after clearing the written exam, ignoring the fact that:
Final NDA merit = Written Exam Marks + SSB Marks
Even a small difference of 10–20 marks in the written exam can push a candidate out of the merit list.
Common mistakes include:
Ignoring Mathematics accuracy
Poor time management in GAT
Over-attempting without proper calculation
2. Average Performance in SSB Interview
Clearing SSB is not enough; scoring well in SSB is equally important.
Candidates often:
Give average responses in psychology tests
Show weak communication skills in GTO tasks
Lack officer-like qualities (OLQs)
An average SSB performance combined with a low written score almost guarantees a merit out.
3. Medical Unfitness
Medical issues are another major reason aspirants get merit out.
Common medical causes include:
Eye sight problems
Flat feet
Overweight or underweight issues
Dental or ENT problems
Most of these can be corrected with early awareness and guidance.
The One Most Important Thing to Keep in Mind
👉 Start NDA Preparation with the Final Merit in Mind
Most aspirants prepare only to clear stages, not to score high. This mindset is the biggest reason behind merit out cases.
At The Lakshya Academy, we strongly emphasize:
Scoring maximum marks in the written exam
Targeting high performance in SSB, not just recommendation
Early medical fitness preparation
Your goal should never be just clearing NDA — your goal should be ranking high in the NDA merit list.
How The Lakshya Academy Helps You Avoid Merit Out
At The Lakshya Academy, we follow a result-oriented approach:
✅ Strong foundation in NDA Mathematics and GAT
✅ Regular mock tests with merit-focused analysis
✅ Structured SSB preparation with real-time feedback
✅ Medical awareness sessions to avoid last-minute rejections
Our training model ensures that aspirants are prepared holistically, keeping the final merit list as the ultimate target.
Final Words
Getting merit out in NDA is heartbreaking, but it is also avoidable with the right strategy, guidance, and mindset.
Remember:
NDA is not about clearing stages, it is about scoring high enough to stay in the merit list.
If you are serious about wearing the uniform and serving the nation, start your preparation the right way—with The Lakshya Academy.
