NDA Exam Pattern 2025: Marking Scheme, Question Distribution & Syllabus

NDA exam is conducted twice a year and comprises written exam and SSB interview.  NDA written examination is divided into two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Both papers feature objective-type questions, totaling 270 questions in the entire exam. Specifically, the Mathematics paper comprises 120 questions, while the GAT paper contains 150 questions. The total marks allocated for the NDA exam is 900 marks. The difficulty level of the NDA exam is usually moderate. Candidates can crack the exam with good preparation.

According to the NDA Exam Pattern, the NDA Exam will be conducted in offline mode, and all questions will be MCQ type. The exam is given in both English and Hindi. The question paper will consist of two sections: Mathematics and GAT. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks.

NDA exam is conducted twice a year by UPSC. Candidates can appear for both the sessions of NDA exam. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in January. NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in July. To qualify each section of the NDA exam, candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject. NDA exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Fotce wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy.

Questions in NDA exam are asked from the below-mentioned topics:

Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus,  Matrices and Determinants,  Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry,  Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and  Probability. 

GAT: The GAT syllabus of NDA is divided into two parts. Part A comprises questions from English, while Part B carries questions from General Knowledge. Questions in English part are asked from Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary,  Comprehension, and Cohesion. Questions in General Knowledge are asked from Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

SSB Interview is conducted for candidates who qualify the written exam. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks. The structure of SSB interview is given below.

NDA marking scheme is prescribed by UPSC. The marking scheme highlights the marks awarded for correct answers and marks deducted for wrong answers. In Maths 2.5 marks are awarded for correct answers and 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answers. In GAT four marks are awarded for correct answers and 1.33 marks are deducted for the wrong answers. The score of the written exam is calculated out of 900 marks. The examination authority calculates the scores of candidates based on the marking scheme. The structure of NDA marking scheme is given below.

Candidates can below the last three years' topic-wise distribution of questions in Maths.

NDA question paper is framed in both English and Hindi. The written exam is conducted for 900 marks. The test carries two papers-Maths and GAT. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview. 

There is no limit in the number of attempts in NDA exam. Candidates falling within the presctibed age limit can apply for NDA exam. The selection process of NDA comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The SSB interview carries 900 marks.

The SSB Interview is conducted for 5 days and is almost the same for the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces. The SSB Interview is conducted in two phases.

• Phase I- Screening
• Phase 2- Psychological Tests, Group Tests, Interviews, and board conference 

Candidates need to report on time at the centre they chose while filling out the application, or the centres allotted to them. The reporting time of the candidates, centre and other details are mentioned in their SSB Call letter. Candidates need to carry the required document for appearing in SSB interview.

NDA syllabus is prescribed by the examination authority so that candidates can know what they need to prepare for the exam. The standard of NDA syllabus is of Class 10, 11 and 12 levels. NDA syllabus is divided into two parts-Maths and GAT. NDA Maths syllabus carries questions from Algebra Calculus, Matrices and Determinants Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Trigonometry Vector Algebra Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.. NDA GAT syllabus carries questions from topics such as Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. Questions in General Knowledge are asked from Physics Chemistry Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

NDA syllabus is prescribed by UPSC. The syllabus is mentioned on the notification. NDA syllabus is divided into Maths and GAT. The standard of NDA syllabus is of Class 10, 11 and 12 levels. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. NDA Maths syllabus comprises topics such as Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and  Probability. NDA GAT syllabus comprises topics such as Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion, Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

NDA syllabus is prescribed by the examination authority. The syllabus comprises the topics that candidates need to prepare for the exam. The first and foremost step towards preparation is going through the syllabus. Knowing the syllabus helps candidates to plan a strategy to ace the exam, thereby, giving them the right direction for preparation. NDA syllabus has two sections for the written exam, General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics. GAT aims to test the candidate's basic knowledge of History, GK, Current Affairs of National and International Events, English, Science, and Geography. On the other hand, the Mathematics paper of NDA comprises questions based on Class 12. The GAT paper holds the maximum weightage in the syllabus. 

NDA is a competitive exam therefore to crack it candidates need to choose the right type of books. NDA books help candidates to ace the exam easily and clear the concepts of each and every topic given in the syllabus. To pass the exam, it is essential to select the right set of NDA books. The standard of the NDA syllabus is for Class 10, 11, and 12 levels. The best books for NDA exam are given below:

Best Maths Books for NDA

• Mathematics for NDA and NA by RS Aggarwal
• Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by RS Aggarwal

Best English Books for NDA

• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
• High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
• Objective General English by SP Bakshi

Best NDA Books for Physics

• Objective Physics for the NDA and NA by D.C. Pandey
• Concepts of Physics (Part 1 & Part 2) by H.C. Verma

Best NDA Books for History

• History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
• India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra

Best NDA Books for Current Affairs

• Manorama Yearbook by Mammen Mathew
• Pratiyogita Darpan by Upkar Prakashan

Every year thousands of candidates appear for NDA exam. With so much competition, candidates need to have a proper preparation strategy for the exam. Candidates need to be consistent with their study plans. They should devote few hours every day to study. Candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus. Candidates must revise their notes and important formulae every day. Candidates must practise mock tests and previous years' question papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus. Candidates must clear their basic concepts of each and every topic given in the syllabus. This will help candidates to solve the questions easily in the exam.

The ideal time required for NDA preparation is one year to six months. During the preparation phase, candidates must focus on all subjects and topics relevant to the exam. Candidates must consider solving the NDA question papers. They should also attempt mock tests to increase speed and accuracy. Candidates must be thorough with the exam pattern and syllabus. The tips and tricks to prepare for NDA exam are given below:

• To begin with the preparation, candidates need to understand the syllabus and exam pattern
• Candidates can clear their basic concepts of the topics from the Class 10, 11 and 12 books
• To improve speed and accuracy, candidates can attempt mock tests
• After completing the syllabus, candidates must practice previous years' question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam
• Candidates must work on improving their weak areas

NDA syllabus mostly comprises the topics/subjects that candidates have studied in Class 12. The preparation for Class 12 and NDA can go hand-in-hand. Some of the preparation tips or NDA exam after 12th are given below:

• Candidates must go through the complete subject-wise syllabus
• Create a proper study plan and dedicate time for each subject
• Be consistent with the study plan Refer to good NDA books
• Candidates must review the fundamentals of each subject. They should consult the books from Classes 6 to 12
• Candidates must read the newspaper daily to enhance their English. Additionally, candidates must practice grammar and learn new words
• Candidates must practice the previous years' question papers to get an idea about the exam structure

The tips and tricks to prepare for NDA exam using the question papers are given below:

• After completing the NDA syllabus, candidates must start practising the NDA previous years' question papers. Solving the question papers, candidates can get their basics cleared
• Candidates can use the NDA previous years' question papers in understanding the application of concepts they have learned so far
• Most of the questions in the exam are repeated and require a similar approach to be solved. Keep a note of such questions and tricks to solve them
• Candidates must prepare a timetable for solving the NDA previous years' question papers and solve atleast one/two question papers daily

NDA syllabus is prescribed by the examination authority so that candidates can know what they need to prepare for the exam. The standard of NDA syllabus is of Class 10, 11 and 12 levels. NDA syllabus is divided into two parts-Maths and GAT. NDA Maths syllabus carries questions from Algebra Calculus, Matrices and Determinants Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Trigonometry Vector Algebra Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.. NDA GAT syllabus carries questions from topics such as Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. Questions in General Knowledge are asked from Physics Chemistry Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.