NDA
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the joint defence service training institute of the Indian Armed Forces. NDA or National Defence Academy, is a joint services academy of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the three services, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, are trained together before they go on to respective service academies for further pre-commissioning training. The NDA is located in Khadakwasla near Pune, Maharashtra. It is one of the premier institutes for military training in India, and admission to the academy is highly competitive.
| NDA Exam Overview | |
|---|---|
| Exam name | NDA and NA |
| NDA full form | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination |
| Conducting Authority | UPSC |
| Eligibility Criteria | Age limit: 16.5 to 19.5 years Educational Qualification: Class 12 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Application fee | INR 100 for UR/OBC |
| Selection Process | Written test (offline) SSB interview |
| Exam mode | Offline |
| Papers | Paper 1: Maths Paper 2: GAT |
NDA: General Exam Pattern
It is important to know the exam pattern for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam because it will help you understand the structure of the exam, the types of questions that will be asked, and the time allocated for each section. Check out the detailed NDA exam pattern in the table below.
| Subjects | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 2.5 Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 2.5 Hours | 600 |
| Total | 900 | |
| SSB Interview | 900 |
NDA : Syllabus
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| English | Spotting errors Reading Comprehension Synonyms-Antonyms Vocabulary Idioms and Phrases |
| Maths | Venn Diagram 2D and 3D Geometry Differential calculus Sets Trigonometry Matrices and Determinants |
| General Knowledge | Political Science Art and Culture Physics History Chemistry Current Affairs Static GK |
NDA Syllabus 2025 for Mathematics
- NDA Syllabus for Algebra : Concept of set, operations on sets, Venn diagrams. De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Representation of real numbers on a line. Complex numbers—basic properties, modulus, argument, cube roots of unity. Binary system of numbers. Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric, and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations with real coefficients. Solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs. Permutation and Combination. Binomial theorem and its applications. Logarithms and their applications.
- NDA Syllabus for Matrices and Determinants : Concept of set, operations on sets, Venn diagrams. De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Representation of real numbers on a line. Complex numbers—basic properties, modulus, argument, cube roots of unity. Binary system of numbers. Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric, and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations with real coefficients. Solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs. Permutation and Combination. Binomial theorem and its applications. Logarithms and their applications.
- NDA Syllabus for 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.
- NDA Syllabus for Trigonometry : 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.
- NDA Syllabus for 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 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.
- NDA Syllabus for Differential 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—examples. Continuity of functions—examples, algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative of function at a point, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative—applications. Derivatives of sum, product, and quotient of functions, derivative of a function concerning another function, derivative of a composite function. Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima
- NDA Syllabus for 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. A 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
- NDA Syllabus for Vector Algebra : Vectors in two and three dimensions, magnitude, and direction of a vector. Unit and null vectors, addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar product or dot product of two vectors. Vector product or cross product of two vectors. Application work done by a force and moment of a force and in geometrical problems
- NDA Syllabus for Statistics and Probability :
- Statistics : Classification of data, Frequency distribution, cumulative frequency distribution—examples. Graphical representation—Histogram, Pie Chart, frequency polygon— examples. Measures of Central tendency—Mean, median, and mode. Variance and standard deviation—determination and comparison. Correlation and regression.
Probability : Random experiment, outcomes, associated sample space, 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 Binominal distribution
NDA GAT Syllabus 2025
NDA Syllabus for English :
- Spotting Errors
- Comprehension
- Selecting Words
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Sentence Improvements
- Ordering of Words in a Sentence, etc.
NDA Syllabus for English :
- Spotting Errors
- Comprehension
- Selecting Words
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Sentence Improvements
- Ordering of Words in a Sentence, etc.
NDA Syllabus for Physics :
- Physical Properties and States of Matter, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density, and Specific Gravity, the Principle of Archimedes, and the Pressure Barometer.
- Motion of objects, Velocity and Acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force and Momentum, Parallelogram of Forces, Stability and Equilibrium of bodies, Gravitation, elementary ideas of work, Power and Energy. Effects of Heat, Measurement of Temperature and Heat, change of State and Latent Heat, Modes of transference of Heat. Sound waves and their properties, Simple musical instruments. Rectilinear propagation of Light, Reflection, and refraction. Spherical Mirrors and Lenses, Human Eye.
- Natural and Artificial Magnets, Properties of a Magnet, Earth as a Magnet.
- Static and Current Electricity, conductors and Nonconductors, Ohm’s Law, Simple Electrical Circuits, Heating, Lighting and Magnetic effects of Current,
- Measurement of Electrical Power, Primary and Secondary Cells, Use of X-Rays. General Principles in the working of the following: Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightening Conductors, Safety Fuses.
NDA Syllabus for Chemistry :
- Physical and Chemical changes. Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Symbols, Formulae and simple Chemical Equations, Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems). Properties of Air and Water
Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and carbon dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction. Acids, bases, and salts. Carbon—different forms. Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial. Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gun-Powder. Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom, Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Valency
NDA Syllabus for General Science :
The difference between living and nonliving things. The basis of Life—cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues. Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals.
Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its vital organs. Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention.
Food is a source of Energy for man. Its constituents include a balanced Diet. The Solar System includes meteors, comets, and Eclipses. Eminent Scientists have achieved many achievements.
NDA Syllabus for History, Freedom Movement, etc. :
A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation.
Freedom Movement in India. Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration. Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India. Panchayati Raj, Co-operatives and Community Development. Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State, Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
Forces shaping the modern world; Renaissance, Exploration and Discovery; War of American Independence. French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution. Impact of Science and Technology on Society. Concept of one World, United Nations, Panchsheel, Democracy, Socialism and Communism. Role of India in the present world.
NDA Syllabus for Geography :
The Earth, its shape and size. Lattitudes and Longitudes, Concept of time. International Date Line. Movements of Earth and their effects.
Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification; Weathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes. Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition; Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones and Anti-cyclones;
Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation; Types of Climate, Major Natural Regions of the World. Regional Geography of India—Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources; location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities. Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India. Main items of Imports and Exports of India.
NDA Syllabus for Current Events :
Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years. Current important world events.
Prominent personalities—both Indian and International including those connected with cultural activities and sports
NDA Syllabus 2025 for General Ability Test
The NDA General Ability Test Syllabus 2025 is divided into two parts: English and General Knowledge. The NDA question paper in English will be designed to assess the candidate’s understanding of English and workmanlike use of words. The NDA English syllabus covers various aspects, such as Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension, and cohesion in extended text, to assess the candidate’s proficiency in English.
The NDA General Knowledge syllabus will broadly cover the subjects, i.e. Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Events. Check the detailed NDA Syllabus 2025 for the General Ability Test shared below for reference.
UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025 for Intelligence and Personality Test
The NDA SSB syllabus 2025 consists of two stage Selection processes i.e. stage I and stage II. Only those applicants who clear stage I are allowed to appear for stage II. The NDA Syllabus 2025 for Intelligence and Personality Test is shared below.
| UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025 for SSB | |
|---|---|
| Subject | Important Topics |
| Stage I | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT) |
Candidates should check the NDA Exam Pattern 2025 to get an insight into the exam format, number of questions, maximum marks, number of sections, and marking scheme followed by officials. Familiarity with the UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2025 will help them align their strategy with the exam requirements. Check the detailed NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for Mathematics and General Ability Test shared below.
| NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for Maths & GAT | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Mathematics | General Ability Test |
| Total Number of Questions | 120 | 150 |
| Maximum Marks | 300 | 600 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 2.5 mark | 4 mark |
| Marks for Incorrect Answer | -0.83 mark | -1.33 mark |
| Duration | 2.5 hours | 2.5 hours |
| NDA Exam Pattern 2025 for SSB Test/Interview | |
|---|---|
| Subject | Total |
| SSB Test/Interview | 900 |
