NDA exam at a glance (based on the NDA & NA (II) 2026 notice)
- Papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks), 2.5 hours each; objective type; one-third negative marking.
- SSB: 900 marks. Total 1,800.
- Age: unmarried men and women born between 1 Jan 2008 and 1 Jan 2011 (for the II 2026 exam). The I 2027 window will be in the 2 Dec 2026 notice.
- Education: Army wing: Class 12 any stream. Air Force, Naval wings and 10+2 Cadet Entry: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- Fee: Rs. 100 (SC/ST, women and certain wards exempt).
This page puts the NDA & NA syllabus, exam pattern and eligibility in one place, from UPSC’s latest notification (NDA & NA (II) 2026, dated 20 May 2026). The 2027 notice is due on 2 December 2026.
NDA exam pattern
| Paper | Code | Duration | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 01 | 2½ hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 02 | 2½ hours | 600 |
| Written total | 900 | ||
| SSB test / interview | 900 |
- All papers are objective; Mathematics and Part B of the General Ability Test are set in Hindi and English.
- Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the question’s marks for every wrong answer; marking more than one answer counts as wrong; a blank carries no penalty.
- No calculator, mathematical or logarithmic tables are allowed.
- UPSC may fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects.
NDA Mathematics syllabus (300 marks)
| No. | Topic | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algebra | Sets and Venn diagrams, relations, real and complex numbers, binary system, AP/GP/HP, quadratic equations, linear inequations, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, logarithms |
| 2 | Matrices and determinants | Types and operations, determinants, adjoint and inverse, solving 2–3 linear equations by Cramer’s rule and matrix method |
| 3 | Trigonometry | Angles in degrees and radians, ratios and identities, sum and multiple angle formulae, inverse functions, heights and distances, properties of triangles |
| 4 | Analytical geometry (2D and 3D) | Straight lines and circles, conic sections, direction cosines, planes and lines in 3D |
| 5 | Differential calculus | Functions, limits, continuity, derivatives and their applications |
| 6 | Integral calculus and differential equations | Integration methods, areas, differential equations of first order |
| 7 | Vector algebra | Vectors, dot and cross product, applications |
| 8 | Statistics and probability | Frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, Bayes’ theorem |
NDA General Ability Test syllabus (600 marks)
| Part | Marks | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| A: English | 200 | Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion in extended text |
| B: General Knowledge | 400 | Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies (History, Freedom Movement, etc.), Geography and Current Events |
| Section (Part B) | Weightage | Topics listed by UPSC |
|---|---|---|
| A: Physics | about 25% | Properties and states of matter, motion, Newton’s laws, work, power and energy, heat, sound, light, magnets, current electricity, working of simple devices (pendulum, pulleys, siphon, periscope, thermos flask and others) |
| B: Chemistry | about 15% | Physical and chemical changes, elements, mixtures and compounds, air and water, preparation and properties of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, acids, bases and salts, carbon, fertilizers, soap, glass, paper and cement, atomic structure and valency |
| C: General Science | about 10% | Living and non-living, cells and tissues, growth and reproduction, the human body, common epidemics, food and balanced diet, the solar system, achievements of eminent scientists |
| D: History, Freedom Movement etc. | about 20% | Broad survey of Indian history with emphasis on culture and civilisation, freedom movement, Constitution and administration, Five Year Plans, Panchayati Raj and co-operatives, Bhoodan and Sarvodaya, the Renaissance and the French, American, Industrial and Russian revolutions, UN, Panchsheel, India’s role in the world |
| E: Geography | about 20% | Earth’s shape, latitude and longitude, time zones, rocks and landforms, ocean currents and tides, atmosphere, winds and climate, regional geography of India, ports, routes, imports and exports |
| F: Current Events | about 10% | Important recent events in India and the world; prominent personalities, including those in culture and sports |
Note
- UPSC says the topics are not exhaustive and questions of a similar nature may be asked.
NDA eligibility 2026 notice
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Citizen of India, subject of Nepal, or person of Indian origin as listed in the notice (certificate of eligibility needed for the last two groups; Gorkha subjects of Nepal exempt) |
| Marital status | Unmarried (men and women); a candidate must not marry until training is complete |
| Age | Born not earlier than 1 Jan 2008 and not later than 1 Jan 2011 (II 2026) |
| Education: Army wing | Class 12 pass (10+2 pattern or equivalent) |
| Education: Air Force, Naval wings and 10+2 Cadet Entry | Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics |
| Candidates appearing in Class 12 | Can apply; must produce the certificate as the notice requires |
| Physical standards | As per Appendix-III of the notice |
How to prepare for NDA
- Mathematics is 300 of the 900 written marks and the main filter. Finish the NCERT-level base first, then practise timed sets by topic.
- General Ability Test is 600 marks: English accounts for 200 and GK for 400. Treat English as a daily habit (reading and grammar) rather than a last-month task.
- Plan for negative marking. Skip questions you cannot narrow to two options.
- Use official papers. UPSC’s question papers for NDA I and II 2026 are linked on the NDA and CDS hub.
- Begin SSB-style preparation early: communication, fitness and group activities; the SSB is 900 marks, as many as the written exam.
Join GSMitra on Telegram for NDA and CDS updatesPractise General Awareness MCQs
Frequently asked questions
What is the NDA exam pattern?
Two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks), 2.5 hours each, followed by a 900-mark SSB interview.
What is the NDA negative marking?
One-third (0.33) of the question’s marks is deducted for every wrong answer.
What is the NDA age limit?
For NDA II 2026: born between 1 January 2008 and 1 January 2011. The NDA I 2027 window will be in the notice due 2 December 2026.
Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes. The notice allows unmarried women; vacancies are notified separately for men and women (24 for women in NDA II 2026).
Which subjects are needed for NDA Air Force and Navy?
Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Army wing needs Class 12 in any stream.
What is the NDA application fee?
Rs. 100 in the last notice; SC/ST, women and certain wards are exempt.