NDA Syllabus 2026
National Defence Academy — Army / Navy / Air Force
NDA is conducted by UPSC for entry into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and the Indian Naval Academy (INA). Open to candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12. PCM is mandatory for Navy and Air Force wings.
Eligibility Criteria
- Education
- 12th passed (PCM mandatory for Navy/Air Force)
- Age Limit
- 16.5–19.5 years
Selection Process
- 1Written Exam (Mathematics + GAT)
- 2SSB Interview (Stage I & Stage II)
- 3Medical Examination
Exam Pattern
| Stage / Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 hr | Objective MCQ (negative marking −0.83 per wrong answer) |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2.5 hr | Objective MCQ (negative marking −1.33 per wrong answer) |
| SSB Interview | — | 900 | — | Stage I: OIR Test + PPDT; Stage II: Psychology, GTO tasks, Personal Interview |
Detailed Syllabus
1
Mathematics
300 Marks
Algebra — polynomials, quadratic, logs, matrices, determinantsTrigonometry — ratios, identities, inverse functions, heights & distancesAnalytic Geometry 2D — lines, circles, conic sectionsAnalytic Geometry 3D — distance formula, direction cosines, planesDifferential Calculus — limits, continuity, differentiation, applicationsIntegral Calculus — integration, area under curve, differential equationsVector Algebra — magnitude, operations, dot & cross productsStatistics & Probability — frequency distributions, mean/median/mode, probability theorems
2
GAT — Part A: English
200 Marks
Grammar & UsageVocabularyComprehensionSpotting ErrorsFill in the BlanksPara JumblesSynonyms & Antonyms
3
GAT — Part B: General Knowledge
400 Marks
Physics — Motion & Laws, Work-Energy-Power, Gravitation, Properties of Matter, Heat & Thermodynamics, Sound, Light, Electricity, MagnetismChemistry — Physical & Chemical changes, Elements/Mixtures/Compounds, Acids/Bases/Salts, Metals & Non-metals, Fertilizers, FuelsGeneral Science — Carbon compounds, Life processes, Human body, Nutrition, Diseases, EcologySocial Studies — Indian History (Struggle for Independence), Indian Polity & Constitution, Geography (Physical, Climate, Vegetation, Population), EconomyCurrent Events — Important national & international events, Sports, Books & Authors
🎯 Must-Prepare Topics for NDA
Class 11-12 Mathematics (full NCERT)
Class 9-12 Physics NCERT
Class 9-12 Chemistry NCERT
Class 9-10 History, Polity, Geography
SSB Interview — OIR, PPDT, WAT, SRT, TAT, Lecturette, GTO
Physical fitness
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