UPSC NDA is a national level examination, a prestigious exam in India for candidates who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces, conducted twice a year by UPSC. National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA and NA-1). Eligible male and female candidates for the NDA examination will be selected on the basis of a written examination followed by an SSB interview. Candidates preparing for NDA exam 2025 are advised to review the syllabus thoroughly so as to understand the topics covered, marking scheme and other essential details. In this article, we have provided the NDA Syllabus and Exam Pattern in detail
NDA Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025
Every year, NDA exam is conducted twice. The NDA 1 exam will be held on 13 April 2025 in offline mode and the NDA 2 exam will be held on 14 September 2025. The National Defence Academy written exam consists of two papers namely Mathematics and General Aptitude Test (GAT). Understanding the NDA syllabus is an important part of the exam preparation as it allows you to prioritize your study plan and focus on relevant subjects.
| NDA Syllabus 2025- Key Points | |
| 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 Questions Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB) |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| NDA Exam Date 2025 | NDA 1: 13th April 2025 NDA 2: 14th September 2025 |
| Papers in NDA Exam | Mathematics and General Ability Test |
| Marks Segregation | Mathematics: 300 Marks GAT: 600 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions | Mathematics: 120 GAT: 150 |
| Negative Marking | Mathematics: -0.83 GAT: -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 2025
Before getting into the syllabus, It is crucial to know the structure of the exam and marking scheme. Mathematics paper has 120 questions for 300 marks and General Aptitude Test (GAT) will have English and General Knowledge papers of 200 and 400 marks respectively.
NDA Mathematics Exam Pattern
| 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-II- General Ability Test | |
| Total Marks | 600 marks |
| Total No. of Questions | 150 |
| No. of questions in English Section | 50 |
| No. Of questions in the 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 |
UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025
To score well in NDA Exam, all candidates should be aware of the SSC NDA syllabus and exam pattern. It is crucial to know the structure of the exam and the syllabus and subject-wise topics that need to be prepared in and out.
The NDA maths section covers topics such as Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions, Statistics and Probability. The General Ability Test (GAT) syllabus includes subjects like English, Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Affairs. A detailed discussion of the subject-wise syllabus is given below.
NDA Mathematics Syllabus 2025
The subjects covered for the NDA Mathematics syllabus are given in the table below.
| Mathematics | |
| Topic | Topic-wise Syllabus |
| Algebra | Concept of set, operations on sets, Venn diagrams. De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Real numbers, Complex numbers, Modulus, Cube roots, Conversion of a number in a 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 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 30 |
| Probability | 10 |
| Trigonometry | 30 |
| Complex number | 10-15 |
NDA GAT Syllabus 2025
NDA GAT (General Ability Test) has two papers English and General Knowledge. English paper is of 200 marks and General knowledge paper is of 400 marks.
NDA English Syllabus
The English question paper will be designed to test the candidate’s English comprehension. It includes various aspects such as grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension, word choice etc. to test the candidate’s proficiency in English. The syllabus covers the following various topics:
| 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 General Knowledge Syllabus
The general knowledge question paper will cover subjects like Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography and Current Affairs. It will also contain number of subject wise questions, distribution of marks and subject wise syllabus. This will help candidates for exam preparation.
| 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 Affairs | 17 | 68 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
NDA Physics Syllabus
| NDA Syllabus For Physics |
| 1. Physical Properties and States of Matter
2. Modes of transference of Heat 3. Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties 4. Simple musical instruments 5. Rectilinear propagation of Light 6. Density and Specific Gravity 7. Reflection and refraction 8. Principle of Archimedes 9. Spherical mirrors and Lenses 10. Pressure Barometer 11. Human Eye 12. Motion of objects 13. Natural and Artificial Magnets 14. Velocity and Acceleration 15. Properties of a Magnet 16. Newton’s Laws of Motion 17. Earth as a Magnet 18. Force and Momentum 19. Static and Current Electricity 20. Parallelogram of Forces 21. Conductors and Non-conductors 22. Stability and Equilibrium of bodies 23. Ohm’s Law 24. Gravitation 25. Simple Electrical Circuits 26. Elementary ideas of work 27. Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current 28. Power and Energy 29. Measurement of Electrical Power 30. Effects of Heat 31. Primary and Secondary Cells 32. Measurement of Temperature and Heat 33. Use of X-Rays 34. General 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 Chemistry Syllabus
| NDA Syllabus For Chemistry |
| 1. Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction.
2. Acids, bases and salts. 3. Carbon— different forms 4. Physical and Chemical Changes 5. Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial 6. Elements 7. Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gunpowder 8. Mixtures and Compounds 9. Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom 10. Symbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical Equation 11. Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights 12. Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems) 13. Valency 14. Properties of Air and Water |
NDA General Science Syllabus
| NDA Syllabus For General Science |
| 1. Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention
2. Difference between the living and non-living 3. Food—Source of Energy for man 4. Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues 5. Constituents of food 6. Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals 7. Balanced Diet 8. Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs 9. The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists |
NDA Syllabus for History, Freedom Movement
| NDA Syllabus For History |
| 1. Forces shaping the modern world;
2. Renaissance 3. Exploration and Discovery; 4. A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation 5. Freedom Movement in India 6. French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution 7. War of American Independence, 8. Impact of Science and Technology on Society 9. Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration 10. Concept of one World 11. Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India 12. United Nations, 13. Panchsheel, 14. Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism and Communism 15. Role of India in the present world 16. Co-operatives and Community Development 17. Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, 18. National Integration and Welfare State 19. Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi |
NDA Syllabus for Geography
| NDA Syllabus For Geography | |
| 1. The Earth, its shape and size
2. Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition 3. Latitudes and Longitudes 4. Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation 5. Concept of time 6. Types of Climate 7. International Date Line 8. Major Natural Regions of the World 9. Movements of Earth and their effects 10. Regional Geography of India 11. Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources; 12. Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities 13. Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification 14. Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India 15. Weathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes 16. Main items of Imports and Exports of India |
|
Current Events
| NDA Syllabus For Current Affairs |
| Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years. Prominent personalities of both Indian and International level Cultural activities and sports activities Current important world events. |
NDA SSB Interview
To be eligible for the interview stage candidates have to qualify for the written exam. The pattern of the NDA Interviews is as mentioned below:
| NDA – SSB Interview Pattern | ||
| Stage 1 | Screening Test | 1. Verbal and non-verbal tests.
2. PPDT |
| Stage 2 | Psychological Test | 1. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
2. Word Association Test (WAT) 3. Situation Reaction Test (SRT) 4. Self Description Test (SD) |
| Group Testing Officers Test | 1. GD
2. GPE 3. PGT 4. HGT 5. IoT 6. Command Task 7. Snake Race/Group Obstacle Race 8. Individual lecture 9. FGT |
|
| Personal Interview & Conference | – | |
