Candidates who wish to appear for the national-level exam must have a thorough knowledge of the syllabus and examination pattern to understand the required topics and must plan and strategize their preparation to crack the examination. The UPSC NDA is a national-level exam, this is a prestigious exam in India for candidates who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces, which is conducted twice a year by the UPSC. The selection of eligible male and female candidates for the NDA exam will be done on the basis of a written test followed by an SSB interview. Here, we have provided detailed information of the NDA syllabus and exam pattern.

NDA Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2025

Every year, the NDA Exam is conducted twice. On 13th April 2025, NDA 1 exam is to be conducted in offline mode and on 14th September 2025, NDA 2 exam will be conducted. The National Defense Academy written examination has two papers Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Here, we have provided detailed information of the NDA syllabus. Candidates who will be appearing for the exam should go through the syllabus to prepare for the exam.

NDA Syllabus 2025- Key Points
Name of the Exam	National Defense 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 going into the syllabus, let’s look at the NDA exam pattern and marking scheme. The Mathematics paper has 120 questions for 300 marks and the General Aptitude Test (GAT) will have English and General Knowledge papers for 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

With the help of the syllabus, candidates can prepare efficiently and effectively for the exam. Candidates can also know the exam pattern through this article which will help them to understand the important topics and their weightage in the exam. The syllabus and the exam pattern can help candidates boost their preparations and help them prepare well for the exam which will increase their chances of selection.

Before delving into the NDA exam syllabus, candidates must understand the NDA exam pattern. The NDA Mathematics section covers topics like 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 Aptitude Test (GAT) syllabus covers topics like English, Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography and Current Affairs. The detailed syllabus is discussed below, subject wise.

NDA Mathematics Syllabus 2025

The chapters covered for the NDA Maths 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 Math’s

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 English Syllabus

A question paper in English will be prepared 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 various subjects 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 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 include the number of questions, distribution of marks and subject wise syllabus topics.

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

Physical Properties and States of Matter Modes of transference of Heat Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties Simple musical instruments Rectilinear propagation of Light Density and Specific Gravity Reflection and refraction Principle of Archimedes Spherical mirrors and Lenses Pressure Barometer Human Eye Motion of objects Natural and Artificial Magnets Velocity and Acceleration Properties of a Magnet Newton’s Laws of Motion Earth as a Magnet Force and Momentum Static and Current Electricity Parallelogram of Forces Conductors and Non-conductors Stability and Equilibrium of bodies Ohm’s Law Gravitation Simple Electrical Circuits Elementary ideas of work Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current Power and Energy Measurement of Electrical Power Effects of Heat Primary and Secondary Cells Measurement of Temperature and Heat Use of X-Rays 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

Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction. Acids, bases and salts. Carbon— different forms Physical and Chemical Changes Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial Elements Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gunpowder Mixtures and Compounds Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom Symbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical Equation Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems) Valency Properties of Air and Water

NDA General Science Syllabus

NDA Syllabus For General Science

Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention Difference between the living and non-living Food—Source of Energy for man Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasm’s, and Tissues Constituents of food Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals Balanced Diet Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists

NDA Syllabus for History, Freedom Movement

NDA Syllabus For History

Forces shaping the modern world; Renaissance Exploration and Discovery; A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilization Freedom Movement in India French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution War of American Independence, Impact of Science and Technology on Society Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration Concept of one World Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India United Nations, Panchsheel, Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism and Communism Role of India in the present world Co-operatives and Community Development Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi

NDA Syllabus for Geography

NDA Syllabus For Geography

The Earth, its shape and size Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition Latitudes and Longitudes Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation Concept of time Types of Climate International Date Line Major Natural Regions of the World Movements of Earth and their effects Regional Geography of India Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources; Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India Weathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes 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 of NDA. The pattern of the NDA Interviews is as mentioned below:

NDA – SSB Interview Pattern
Stage 1	Screening Test	Verbal and non-verbal tests. PPDT
Stage 2	Psychological Test	Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) Word Association Test (WAT) Situation Reaction Test (SRT) Self Description Test (SD)
	Group Testing Officers Test	GD GPE PGT HGT IoT Command Task Snake Race/Group Obstacle Race Individual lecture FGT
	Personal Interview & Conference	–

Various tests like IO, GTO and Psychological are conducted to check the presence/absence of officer-like qualities in the candidate and their trainability. Accordingly, candidates are recommended or not recommended for SSB.