NDA Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026

The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is one of the most prestigious competitive exams in India. Understanding the comprehensive exam pattern and detailed syllabus for the 2026 academic sessions is the foundational step toward securing a recommendation.

Detailed Exam Pattern

The UPSC NDA selection process relies heavily on the offline written assessment. The exam is conducted on a single day across two separate sessions.

Comprehensive Section-Wise Syllabus

Paper 1: Mathematics (300 Marks)

This paper evaluates a candidate’s concept clarity, analytical speed, and calculation accuracy up to the 10+2 level.

• Algebra: Sets, Venn diagrams, Cartesian product, De Morgan’s laws, complex numbers (modulus, argument, cube roots of unity), quadratic equations, arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic progressions (AP, GP, HP), permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, logarithms.
• Matrices and Determinants: Types of matrices, operations on matrices, determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants, adjoint and inverse of a square matrix, application of determinants and matrices in solving a system of linear equations.
• Trigonometry: Angles and their measures, trigonometric ratios, trigonometric identities, sum and difference formulas, multiple and sub-multiple angles, inverse trigonometric functions, properties of triangles (sine, cosine, and tangent rules).
• Analytical Geometry (2D and 3D): Rectangular Cartesian coordinate system, distance formula, straight lines (slope, various forms of equations), angle between two lines, distance of a point from a line, circle (standard and general equations), basic concepts of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. In 3D: direction cosines, direction ratios, equations of a line and a plane.
• Differential and Integral Calculus: Real-valued functions, domain and range, limits, continuity, derivative of a function, product and quotient rules, chain rule, second-order derivatives, applications of derivatives (increasing/decreasing functions, maxima, and minima). Indefinite and definite integrals, methods of integration (substitution, parts), area bounded by standard curves.
• Differential Equations: Definition, order, and degree of a differential equation; formation of ordinary differential equations; solutions of first-order and first-degree differential equations (variable separable method and linear differential equations).
• Vector Algebra: Vectors in two and three dimensions, magnitude and direction of a vector, unit vectors, addition of vectors, scalar multiplication, scalar product (dot product), vector product (cross product), applications in work done and moment of a force.
• Statistics and Probability: Classification of data, frequency distribution, cumulative frequency, graphical representation (histogram, pie chart). Measures of central tendency: mean, median, and mode. Standard deviation and variance. Probability: random experiment, sample space, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, addition and multiplication theorems, conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem, binomial distribution.

Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) (600 Marks)

The GAT is split into two primary segments: Part A (English) and Part B (General Knowledge)

Part A: English (200 Marks – 50 Questions)

Designed to test the candidate’s proficiency, grammar usage, and command over the language.

• Spotting Errors (Grammar & Usage)
• Synonyms and Antonyms
• Idioms and Phrases
• Cloze Test & Sentence Improvement
• Reading Comprehension & Ordering of Words in a Sentence

Part B: General Knowledge (400 Marks – 100 Questions)

This segment is sub-divided into six specific areas with an approximate standard weightage.

• Section A: Physics (Approx. 100 Marks): Physical properties and states of matter, mass, weight, volume, density, Archimedes’ principle, motion, Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, power, gravitation, heat and temperature, reflection and refraction of light, spherical mirrors and lenses, human eye, static and current electricity, Ohm’s law, conductors and non-conductors, simple magnets, heating and magnetic effects of current.
• Section B: Chemistry (Approx. 60 Marks): Physical and chemical changes; elements, mixtures, and compounds; chemical symbols, formulas, and balanced chemical equations; laws of chemical combination; properties of air and water; preparation and properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon Dioxide; acids, bases, and salts; carbon and its various forms; fertilizers; materials used in daily life (soap, glass, ink, paper, cement).
• Section C: General Science (Approx. 40 Marks): Basic differences between living and non-living organisms; cell structure, tissues, and functions; growth and reproduction in plants and animals; elementary knowledge of the human body and vital organs; balanced diet and nutrition; common epidemics, causes, and prevention; food production and ecology.
• Section D: History & Freedom Movement (Approx. 80 Marks): Broad survey of Indian History with special emphasis on culture and civilization; Freedom Movement in India; elementary study of the Constitution and administration of India; Five-Year Plans; Panchayati Raj; Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, and French, Russian, and American Revolutions; United Nations Organization (UNO) and global peace initiatives.
• Section E: Geography (Approx. 80 Marks): The Earth: its shape and size, Latitudes and Longitudes, Concept of time, International Date Line; movements of the Earth and their effects; Origin of Earth, rocks, and weathering; earthquakes and volcanoes; Atmosphere: composition, temperature, pressure, winds, rainfall; Oceans: currents, tides; Climate zones of the world; Natural vegetation and mineral wealth of India; Major sea ports, air routes, and trade centers.
• Section F: Current Affairs (Approx. 40 Marks): Knowledge of important national and international events; prominent personalities (politics, sports, arts); major defense exercises, bilateral agreements, and security upgrades; awards, honors, and sports championships.

Step-by-Step Strategic Preparation Roadmap

• Prioritize High-Weightage Chapters: In Mathematics, secure your hold over Calculus, Matrices, and Vectors first. In GAT, build a strong vocabulary base early to instantly score in the English section.
• Practice Sectional Mock Tests: Since both papers have sharp negative marking (-0.833 and -1.333), practicing elimination techniques through periodic mock tests keeps accuracy high.
• Synthesize Daily News Insights: Read a standard national daily explicitly for editorial pieces and national defense procurement updates to fulfill Section F requirements.
• Maximize Time Efficiency: Set up an absolute 5-hour daily sitting habit matching the actual UPSC exam timeline to build mental endurance for the final examination day.