| Name of the Exam | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission, UPSC. |
| Frequency Of Exam | Twice in a Year (April & September) |
| Selection Process | Written Test consisting of Objective Type QuestionsIntelligence & Personality Test (SSB) |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Papers in NDA Exam | MathematicsGeneral Ability Test |
| Marks Segregation | Mathematics: 300 MarksGAT: 600 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions | Mathematics: 120GAT: 150 |
| Negative Marking | Mathematics: -0.83GAT: -1.33 marks |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours For Each Paper (5 hours total) |
| Language of Question Paper | English &Hindi English Language paper has to be attempted in English. |
NDA Exam Pattern:
Maths Test Exam Pattern (Paper-1):
Paper I- Mathematics | |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions | 120 |
| Marks awarded for Correct answer | 2.5 marks |
| Marks deducted for the wrong answer | -0.83 |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours |
General Ability Test Exam Pattern (Paper-2):
| Paper-II- General Ability Test | |
| Total Marks | 600 marks |
| Total No. of Questions | 150 |
| No. of questions in English Section | 50 |
| No. Of questions in General knowledge Section | 100 |
| Maximum Marks for English | 200 marks |
| Maximum Marks for G.K. | 400 marks |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 4 marks in both sections |
| Marks for Incorrect Answer | -1.33 marks in both sections |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours |
NDA detailed Syllabus: Download Now
After getting to know the NDA Exam Pattern it is important for the candidates to know the Syllabus of NDA Exam. The NDA Syllabus is discussed below.
NDA Maths Syllabus:
The chapters covered for NDA Maths Syllabus are given in the table below.
| Mathematics | |
| Topic | Topic-wise Syllabus |
| Algebra | Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Real numbers, Complex numbers, Modulus, Cube roots, Conversion of a number in Binary system to Decimals, and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations, Linear inequations, Permutation and Combination, Binomial theorem, and Logarithms. |
| Calculus | Concept of a real-valued function, domain, range, and graph of a function. Composite functions, one-to-one, onto, and inverse functions. The notion of limit, Standard limits, Continuity of functions, algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative of function at a point, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative-application. Derivatives of sum, product, and quotient of functions, a derivative of a function concerning another function, the derivative of a composite function. Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima |
| Matrices and Determinants | Types of matrices, operations on matrices. Determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants. Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix, Applications-Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by Cramer’s rule and by Matrix Method. |
| Integral Calculus and Differential Equations | Integration as inverse of differentiation, integration by substitution and by parts, standard integrals involving algebraic expressions, trigonometric, exponential, and hyperbolic functions. Evaluation of definite integrals—determination of areas of plane regions bounded by curves—applications.Definition of order and degree of a differential equation, formation of a differential equation by examples. General and particular solution of differential equations, solution of the first order, and first-degree differential equations of various types—examples. Application in problems of growth and decay. |
| Trigonometry | Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios. Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications-Height and distance, properties of triangles. |
| Vector Algebra | Vectors in two and three dimensions, magnitude, and direction of a vector. Unit and null vectors, the addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar product, or dot product of two vectors. Vector product or cross product of two vectors. Applications—work done by a force and moment of a force and in geometrical problems. |
| Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension | Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system. Distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms. The angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and a general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. Point in a three-dimensional space, the distance between two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of a plane and a line in various forms. The angle between two lines and the angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere. |
| Statistics and Probability | Probability: Random experiment, outcomes, and associated sample space, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, impossible and certain events. Union and Intersection of events. Complementary, elementary, and composite events. Definition of probability—classical and statistical—examples. Elementary theorems on probability—simple problems. Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem—simple problems. Random variable as function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binomial distribution. |
The topic-wise question distribution in Maths
| Topic | Questions |
| Calculus | 20-25 |
| Quadratic equation | 20-15 |
| Geometry, Matrices & Determinants | 30 |
| Statistics & Probability | 10 |
| Trigonometry | 30 |
| Complex number | 10-15 |
NDA General Ability Test Syllabus:
The General ability test comprises two papers English and General Knowledge. The English paper consists of 200 Marks while the General Knowledge is of 400 Marks.
NDA Syllabus- English
The question paper in English will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English. The syllabus covers various aspects like as given below:
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
| Spotting Errors | 5 | 20 |
| Comprehension | 6 | 24 |
| Selecting Words | 10 | 40 |
| Ordering of Words in a Sentence | 9 | 36 |
| Sentence Improvement | 10 | 40 |
| Antonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Synonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Total | 50 | 200 |
NDA Syllabus- General Knowledge
Check the topic-wise number of questions and marks distribution in the table below.
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
| Physics | 23 | 92 |
| Chemistry | 16 | 64 |
| General Science | 11 | 44 |
| History & Freedom Movement | 16 | 64 |
| Geography | 17 | 68 |
| Current Events | 17 | 68 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
NDA Syllabus- Physics
| NDA Syllabus For Physics | |
| Physical Properties and States of MatterModes of transference of HeatMass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their propertiesSimple musical instrumentsRectilinear propagation of LightDensity and Specific GravityReflection and refractionPrinciple of ArchimedesSpherical mirrors and LensesPressure BarometerHuman EyeMotion of objectsNatural and Artificial MagnetsVelocity and AccelerationProperties of a MagnetNewton’s Laws of MotionEarth as a MagnetForce and MomentumStatic and Current ElectricityParallelogram of ForcesConductors and Non-conductorsStability and Equilibrium of bodiesOhm’s LawGravitationSimple Electrical CircuitsElementary ideas of workHeating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of CurrentPower and EnergyMeasurement of Electrical PowerEffects of HeatPrimary and Secondary CellsMeasurement of Temperature and HeatUse of X-RaysGeneral Principles in the working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightning Conductors, Safety Fuses. |
NDA Syllabus- Chemistry
| NDA Syllabus For Chemistry | |
| Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction.Acids, bases and salts.Carbon— different formsPhysical and Chemical ChangesFertilizers—Natural and ArtificialElementsMaterial used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and GunpowderMixtures and CompoundsElementary ideas about the structure of AtomSymbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical EquationAtomic Equivalent and Molecular WeightsLaw of Chemical Combination (excluding problems)ValencyProperties of Air and Water |
NDA Syllabus- General Science
| NDA Syllabus For General Science | |
| Common Epidemics, their causes, and preventionDifference between the living and non-livingFood—Source of Energy for manBasis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms, and TissuesConstituents of foodGrowth and Reproduction in Plants and AnimalsBalanced DietElementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organsThe Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists |
NDA Syllabus- History, Freedom Movement
| NDA Syllabus For History | |
| Forces shaping the modern world;RenaissanceExploration and Discovery;A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and CivilisationFreedom Movement in IndiaFrench Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian RevolutionWar of American Independence,Impact of Science and Technology on SocietyElementary study of Indian Constitution and AdministrationConcept of one WorldElementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of IndiaUnited Nations,Panchsheel,Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism and CommunismRole of India in the present worldCo-operatives and Community DevelopmentBhoodan, Sarvodaya,National Integration and Welfare StateBasic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi |
NDA Syllabus- Geography
| NDA Syllabus For Geography | |
| The Earth, its shape and sizeOcean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its compositionLatitudes and LongitudesTemperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and PrecipitationConcept of timeTypes of ClimateInternational Date LineMajor Natural Regions of the WorldMovements of Earth and their effectsRegional Geography of IndiaClimate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources;Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activitiesOrigin of Earth. Rocks and their classificationImportant Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of IndiaWeathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and VolcanoesMain items of Imports and Exports of India |
Current Events
| NDA Syllabus For Current Events | |
| Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent yearsProminent personalities of both Indian and International level, Cultural activities and sports activities, Current important world events. |
Intelligence and Personality Test
The SSB procedure consists of two stages. Only those candidates who clear written exam are permitted to appear for SSB round. The details o SSB exam are given below:
| NDA SSB Personality Test | |
| Stage I | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). |
| Stage II | Interview (IO)Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO)Psychology Tests (Psych)Conference |
