A process for the preparation of a naphtha-selective hydrocracking catalyst comprising of from 3 to 4.8% wt of molybdenum, calculated as metal, and of from 1.5 to 3% wt of nickel, calculated as metal, which comprises loading a refractory oxide support comprising an alumina binder component and a zeolite Y component in a content of from 65 to 75 wt % based on the total weight of the catalyst, with nickel and molybdenum in the presence of citric acid, wherein the zeolite Y component has a unit cell size in the range of from 24.42 to 24.52 Å, a SAR in the range of from 8 to 15, and a surface area of from 850 to 1020 m2/g.