If you’re thinking about giving the NDA exam, don’t start with ten books at once. Start with clarity. Most students do the opposite. They feel motivated, order materials, join different Telegram groups, and begin solving whatever question comes in front of them. For a few weeks it feels productive. Then slowly things stop making sense. Too many sources. Too many topics. That usually happens because the syllabus was never properly read in the beginning. It sounds basic, but sitting quietly for a few hours and understanding what UPSC actually asks can change everything. Once you know the limits of the exam, preparation feels controlled instead of messy.
The NDA exam paper is conducted by UPSC, twice a year. It’s the entry route for the Army, Navy and Air Force. But the process isn’t just about clearing one paper. First comes the written exam. Only after that do candidates move to the SSB interview. Many students focus only on cracking the written part and think they’ll worry about SSB later. That works for very few people. It’s better to stay mentally prepared for both from the start. It reduces pressure later.
NDA Exam Syllabus
The NDA exam doesn’t demand extraordinary talent. What it really checks is whether your basics are clear. Questions are mostly from standard school-level topics, but they aren’t framed in a very direct way. They test how well you actually understand things. Later, during SSB, your personality becomes equally important. Officers observe how you speak, how you react in simple situations, and whether your thinking is practical. They don’t expect you to act perfect. They want you to be real, stable and sensible.
There are two stages in the full selection process.
- One is the Written Examination, which includes Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT).
- The other is the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.
Both stages carry 900 marks. Final merit is prepared by combining both scores. So doing well in only one part is not enough.
NDA Written Exam Syllabus
The written exam is conducted on a single day and has two papers.
- Mathematics carries 300 marks.
- The General Ability Test (GAT) carries 600 marks.
Each paper runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes. Questions are objective-type. Negative marking applies, so guessing randomly usually backfires.
Mathematics Paper (300 Marks)
The Maths syllabus mainly comes from Classes 11 and 12. The difficulty is manageable, but speed matters a lot.
Topics include Algebra, Matrices, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Vectors, Statistics and Probability.
Questions from quadratic equations, identities, limits, derivatives, straight lines and probability basics are also expected. Practicing regularly improves speed. Only reading formulas won’t help much. Writing and solving does.
NDA Syllabus for Mathematics
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1 |
Set Theory |
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2 |
Relations and Functions |
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3 |
Complex Numbers |
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4 |
Binary Numbers |
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5 |
Sequences and Series |
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6 |
Quadratic Equations and Inequalities |
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7 |
Permutations and Combinations |
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8 |
Binomial Theorem |
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9 |
Logarithm |
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10 |
Matrices |
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11 |
Determinants |
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12 |
Measurement of Angles and Trigonometric Ratios |
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13 |
Inverse Trigonometric Functions |
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14 |
Height and Distance |
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15 |
Properties of Triangles |
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16 |
Coordinate System and Straight Lines |
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17 |
Circle |
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18 |
Conic Section |
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19 |
Three Dimensional Geometry |
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20 |
Limits, Continuity and Differentiability |
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21 |
Differentiation |
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22 |
Application of Derivatives |
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23 |
Indefinite Integrals |
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24 |
Definite Integrals |
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25 |
Areas Bounded by Regions |
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26 |
Differential Equations |
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27 |
Vector Algebra |
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28 |
Statistics |
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29 |
Probability |
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30 |
Miscellaneous |
General Ability Test (600 Marks)
This paper has two sections — English and General Knowledge.
- English is for 200 marks. It checks grammar usage, vocabulary and comprehension. Improvement here usually comes slowly with reading and revision.
- General Knowledge is for 400 marks. It covers Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography and Current Affairs. Physics often includes motion and electricity. Chemistry focuses on basic principles. Biology touches environment and human body topics. History usually covers modern India. Geography includes Indian and some world concepts. Current Affairs relates to recent events.
NDA Syllabus for General Ability Test (GAT)
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No. |
Subject |
Topics |
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1. |
English |
Spotting the Errors, Vocabulary, Antonyms, Synonyms, Sentence Improvement, Sentence Completion, Jumbled Sentences & Paragraphs and Comprehension |
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2. |
Physics |
Measurement, Motion, and Force, Work, Energy and Power, Centre of Mass and Rotational Motion, Gravitation, General Properties of Matter, Heat and Kinetic Theory of Gases, Thermodynamics, Optics,Oscillation and Waves, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Electric Current and Magnetism, Nucleus and Radioactivity and Modern Physics |
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3. |
Chemistry |
Physical and Chemical Changes, Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Laws of Chemical Combination and Gas Laws, Concept of Atomic, Molecular and Equivalent Masses, Atomic Structure and Radioactivity, Periodic Classification of Elements, Chemical Bonding, Acids, Bases and Salts, Oxidation, Reduction and Electrochemistry, Non-Metals and Their Compounds and Some Important Chemical Compounds |
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4. |
Biology |
Diversity in Living World, Cell and Cell Division, Constituents of Food (Biomolecules), Structural Organisation of Plants and Animals, Plant Physiology and Reproduction, Human System – I (Skeletal, Muscular, Digestive, etc.), Human System – II (Circulatory, Respiratory, Nervous, etc.), Health and Diseases, Economic Importance of Biology and Ecology, Biodiversity and Environment |
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5. 5.1 |
General Studies History |
Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, Indian History, Freedom Movement, Revolutions, Indian Constitution, Panchayati Raj and Gandhian Teachings |
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5.2 |
Geography |
Earth shape & size, Atmosphere, Ocean currents, Latitudes, Time zones, Weather phenomena, Indian climate & resources, Earthquakes, Ports |
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5.3 |
Indian Polity |
Constitution basics, Fundamental rights & duties, Governance, Panchayati Raj |
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5.4 |
Indian Economy |
Basic concepts, Five Year Plans, Agriculture, Industry, Trade, Economic policies |
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5.5 |
General Knowledge & Current Affairs |
National & international events, Prominent personalities, Defence & science developments |
NDA Exam Pattern and Marking
The NDA Exam pattern is very simple, as there are 120 questions in Mathematics for 300 marks. The GAT includes 150 questions for 600 marks. One-third marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
NDA Marking Scheme for Mathematics
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Total Marks |
300 Marks |
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Total No. of Questions |
120 |
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Correct Answer |
2.5 marks |
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Marks deducted for the wrong answer |
– 0.83 |
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The total duration of Mathematics Paper |
2 Hours 30 Minutes |
Topic-wise Question Distribution in Mathematics
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Topic |
Questions |
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Calculus |
20-25 |
|
Quadratic equation |
20-15 |
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Matrices & Determinants |
30 |
|
Probability |
10 |
|
Trigonometry |
30 |
|
Complex number |
10-15 |
NDA Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2
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Parameters |
Details |
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Total marks allotted for GAT paper |
600 marks |
|
600 marks |
150 Questions |
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Total questions in English |
50 |
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Total Questions in GK |
100 |
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Total Marks for English |
200 |
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Total Marks for GK |
400 |
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Marks for Correct Answer |
4 marks in each section |
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Marks for Incorrect Answer |
-1.33 marks in each section |
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Total Duration of GAT Paper |
2 Hours 30 Minutes |
NDA Negative Marking Scheme
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Subject |
NDA Negative Marking |
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GAT |
-1.33 |
|
Maths |
-0.83 |
The exam feels long. Concentration sometimes becomes more important than knowledge. Attempting mock tests under time limits builds stamina and improves performance gradually. Avoid negative marking by answering carefully and not guessing blindly.
Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview
Clearing written is just the first filter. SSB is completely different in nature.
Stage One includes OIR tests and a picture-based discussion test. Those who qualify move ahead.
Stage Two lasts five days. It includes psychological tests, group tasks, personal interviews and a final conference. Officers observe behaviour across different activities. They see whether your responses are natural or memorised. Officer-like qualities are seen in actions, not speeches. Maintaining physical fitness supports your confidence. Staying active regularly helps more than last-minute preparation.
Before you go too deep into preparation, read the official notification properly. Age criteria, required subjects, eligibility rules, everything is clearly mentioned there. A small mistake while filling the form has cost candidates their attempt before.
NDA Exam Eligibility and Qualification
NDA Exam Eligibility and Qualification conditions are simple, but they are strict.
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
- Both male and female candidates can apply as per UPSC guidelines.
- For the Army Wing, passing Class 12 from a recognized board is sufficient. For Navy and Air Force Wings, Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 are compulsory.
- Students who are appearing in their Class 12 exams can also apply.
- The candidate must be unmarried at the time of application.
Instead of depending fully on what others say online, checking the official notice yourself is always safer.
NDA Exam Age Limit
The NDA Exam age limit bracket is clearly specified in every notification. In general, candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years at the time of joining. There is no regular age relaxation. Since NDA is meant for students right after school, the date of birth must fit exactly within the given range. Even a small typing error can create problems later. It’s a small detail, but important.
Educational Preparation
Passing Class 12 is mandatory, but school exams and competitive exams are different experiences. You should be comfortable with Maths from Classes 11 and 12. Basic English reading should not feel challenging. Following the news regularly helps build awareness. And physical fitness should not be ignored while studying. There is no minimum percentage requirement, but stronger concepts make preparation smoother.
Preparation Strategy
Start with NCERT books. Especially for Maths and Science. Clear fundamentals prevent confusion later. Keep your approach straightforward. Complete topics one by one. Solve practice questions. Attempt mock tests after finishing sections. Go through previous year papers to understand patterns. At the same time, speak confidently in daily life situations. Improve communication slowly. No major personality change is required. Consistency is enough.
How Minerva Defence Institute Helps NDA Aspirants
- Expert Faculty: Teachers with strong understanding of the NDA written exam and SSB Interview process guide students in the right direction with practical insights.
- Structured Study Material: Well-organised notes covering Maths, English, and General Knowledge in a clear and easy format.
- Mock Tests & Practice Papers: Regular test series to improve speed, accuracy, and exam confidence.
- SSB-Focused Training: Sessions for personality growth, group tasks, leadership skills, and physical readiness.
- Personal Mentorship: Individual guidance for doubt solving and preparation planning.
- Residential & Online Options: Flexible classroom and online programs with hostel and mess facilities available.
Conclusion
Preparing for NDA is more about routine than motivation. Some days will feel productive. Some days won’t. That’s normal. Selection doesn’t happen quickly. It builds with steady effort over time. If your goal is clear and you avoid shortcuts, improvement becomes visible. The uniform is not won in a moment. It is earned through consistency. At Minerva Defence Institute, students are guided with structured classes, regular mock tests, and focused SSB preparation so their effort stays consistent and directed in the right way. Experienced mentors help clear doubts step by step, improve communication skills, and build the confidence required for both the written exam and the interview process. With disciplined training, physical guidance, and a focused study environment, aspirants stay aligned with their goal instead of getting distracted.
FAQs
Is NDA very difficult?
It is competitive, but not impossible with disciplined preparation.
When should someone start?
After Class 10 is ideal, but Class 11 or 12 works fine if preparation is steady.
Can Arts students apply?
Yes, for the Army Wing. For Navy and Air Force Wings, Mathematics and Physics are required.