NDA Syllabus 2026: Maths & GAT Topics, Pattern + PDF

The NDA syllabus for the UPSC-conducted written exam covers two papers worth 900 marks in total — Mathematics (300 marks, 120 questions) and the General Ability Test or GAT (600 marks, 150 questions), each lasting 2.5 hours. The GAT is further split into English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks) spanning Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Events. Both papers carry negative marking, and the syllabus is pitched at the Class 10, 11 and 12 standard — which makes disciplined self-study with the right material entirely achievable.

This guide gives you the complete, subject-wise NDA syllabus 2026 with the exam pattern, marking scheme, a topic-wise weightage table, a syllabus-to-NCERT crosswalk, a 6–8 month study plan, recommended study material, and a clean downloadable PDF — everything a 10th-to-12th aspirant or parent needs to start preparing today. The syllabus below follows the structure laid out in the official UPSC NDA & NA Examination notification; always cross-check topic wording against the latest notification on upsc.gov.in before your exam.

NDA Syllabus 2026 at a Glance

If you only read one section, read this. Here are the answers aspirants search for most, in one place:

• How many papers / subjects? Two papers — Mathematics and the GAT. The GAT itself spans English plus five GK subjects (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography) with Current Events.
• Total marks? 900 (written) + 900 (SSB Interview) = 1800.
• Negative marking? Yes — one-third of the marks for each wrong answer.
• Difficulty level? Class 10–12 standard; nothing beyond senior-secondary school.
• Can you clear it without coaching? Yes, with NCERTs, a good module set, PYQs and regular mocks.
• Highest-weightage GAT subject? Physics (100 marks), then History and Geography (80 each).

NDA Exam Pattern 2026: Two Papers, 900 Marks

The National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy Examination is held twice a year by UPSC. Selection runs in three stages: the written exam (900 marks), the SSB Interview (900 marks), and finally a medical examination. Understanding the NDA exam pattern 2026 is the first step before touching any topic, because your time-allocation and marking strategy depend entirely on it.

Both papers are objective (MCQ) and bilingual — set in both English and Hindi — which directly helps Hindi-medium aspirants. The questions are answered in OMR format, so accuracy and speed both matter.

NDA Marking Scheme & Negative Marking

Yes, there is negative marking in the NDA exam, and it is heavy enough that blind guessing hurts your score. The deduction is one-third (roughly 0.33) of the marks assigned to each question.

Because each GAT question carries 4 marks, a single wrong answer there costs you more in absolute terms than a wrong Maths answer. The smart rule: attempt only when you can eliminate at least two options. Unattempted questions carry zero penalty, so there is never a reason to mark a pure blind guess.

NDA Maths Syllabus 2026 (Paper I, 300 Marks)

The NDA maths syllabus is the most scoring paper because answers are objective and unambiguous — you either get it or you don’t. It is drawn largely from the Class 11 and 12 NCERT Mathematics curriculum. Here is the complete official topic list.

Algebra

Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, relations and functions, complex numbers, modulus and argument, cube roots of unity, binary number system, arithmetic/geometric/harmonic progressions, quadratic equations, permutation and combination, Binomial theorem, and logarithms.

Matrices and Determinants

Types of matrices, operations on matrices, determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants, adjoint and inverse of a matrix, and applications — solving a system of linear equations by Cramer’s rule and the matrix method.

Trigonometry

Angles and their measures in degrees and radians, trigonometric ratios and identities, sum and difference formulae, multiple and sub-multiple angles, inverse trigonometric functions, properties of triangles, and height-and-distance applications.

Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions

Rectangular Cartesian coordinate system, distance formula, equation of a line in various forms, angle between two lines, distance of a point from a line, equation of a circle, standard forms of parabola, ellipse and hyperbola, eccentricity, and in 3D — direction cosines and direction ratios, equation of a plane and a line in space, distance between two points, and the equation of a sphere.

Differential Calculus

Concept of a real-valued function, domain and range, composite functions, limits and continuity, derivative of a function, derivatives of sum/product/quotient, derivative of a function with respect to another, second-order derivatives, increasing and decreasing functions, and application to maxima and minima.

Integral Calculus and Differential Equations

Integration as the inverse of differentiation, integration by substitution and by parts, standard integrals, definite integrals and their application to areas, formation of differential equations, and solution of first-order, first-degree differential equations of various types.

Vector Algebra

Vectors in two and three dimensions, magnitude and direction, unit and null vectors, addition of vectors, scalar (dot) and vector (cross) products, and applications to work done by a force and moment of a force.

Statistics and Probability

Classification and graphical representation of data, measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), variance and standard deviation, correlation and regression. Probability covers random experiments, events, conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem, the binomial distribution, and the expectation of a random variable.

NDA Maths Topic-Wise Weightage (Most Pages Miss This)

Knowing roughly how many questions come from each Maths topic lets you prioritise high-yield areas. The table below is an indicative distribution based on past-year trends across recent NDA papers (out of 120 questions). Treat it as a planning guide, not an official UPSC figure — the actual split varies from session to session.

Takeaway: Calculus, Algebra and Trigonometry together make up well over half the paper. If you are short on time, lock these three down first before chasing Vector Algebra or higher-end 3D geometry.

NDA GAT Syllabus 2026 (Paper II, 600 Marks)

The NDA GAT syllabus is the larger paper and the one that decides most results, because it carries double the marks of Maths. It has two parts: Part A — English (200 marks) and Part B — General Knowledge (400 marks).

NDA English and GK Syllabus: Section-Wise Breakdown

English Syllabus (200 Marks)

The English section tests grammar, vocabulary and comprehension at the Class 12 level. The sub-topics are very specific, and each rewards targeted practice rather than vague “reading”:

• Spotting Errors — identify the grammatically incorrect part of a sentence; practise subject-verb agreement, tenses, prepositions.
• Sentence Improvement / Selecting Words — pick the most appropriate replacement.
• Synonyms & Antonyms — build a daily 10-word vocabulary habit.
• Idioms and Phrases — memorise common idioms with usage examples.
• Cloze / Comprehension Passages — fill-in-the-blank passages and reading comprehension.
• Ordering of Words / Sentences (Para Jumbles) — arrange jumbled words or sentences logically.
• Fill in the Blanks — grammar and vocabulary based.

Tip: English is the single most scoring sub-section per hour of effort because the topics are finite and repetitive. Solve at least one full set daily.

General Knowledge Syllabus (400 Marks)

GK is split across six sub-sections. This is where subject-wise weightage matters most — Physics alone is worth a quarter of the entire GAT.

Which subjects have the highest weightage in NDA GAT? Physics (100 marks) leads, followed by History and Geography (80 each). Together these three carry 260 of the 400 GK marks — so an aspirant strong in Physics and Social Science has a clear scoring edge. The weightages above follow the standard UPSC GK distribution; minor session-to-session variation is normal.

Subject-Wise GK Topics

• Physics — motion, units & measurement, gravitation, work-energy-power, heat & thermodynamics, light, sound, electricity, magnetism, modern physics, and simple machines.
• Chemistry — physical and chemical changes, elements & compounds, atomic structure, acids/bases/salts, oxidation-reduction, carbon and its compounds, fertilisers, and properties of common gases.
• General Science (Biology) — cell biology, human body systems, nutrition, diseases, ecology and environment, reproduction in plants and animals.
• History & Freedom Movement — ancient, medieval and modern Indian history, the Indian National Movement, the Constitution, the Five-Year Plans, Panchayati Raj, and key world history milestones (Renaissance, French/Russian/American revolutions).
• Geography — the Earth, latitudes/longitudes, atmosphere, climate, rocks and weathering, ocean currents, tides, types of regions, agriculture, minerals, and Indian geography.
• Current Events — important national and international events, sports, awards, defence news, and prominent personalities of the last 6–12 months.

NDA Syllabus-to-NCERT Crosswalk

Few pages map the syllabus to exact NCERT sources — but this is the fastest way to study without buying a dozen random books. Anchor your prep to these classes.

For Maths and Physics/Chemistry depth beyond NCERT, structured coaching modules help. The eSaral IIT JEE Modules 2026 cover Maths, Physics and Chemistry concept-by-concept with solved examples — ideal for the NDA Maths paper and the high-weightage Physics/Chemistry GK heads. For a strong Class 10 foundation, the Aakash Class 10 Study Material builds the base that NDA assumes.

NDA Difficulty Level: Which Class Standard Is It?

Is the NDA syllabus the same as Class 12? The Mathematics paper is pegged at the Class 11–12 level. The GAT — both English and the Physics/Chemistry/Biology parts of GK — ranges from Class 10 to Class 12 standard, while History, Geography and Current Events sit at the Class 9–12 level. In short, nothing in the NDA syllabus goes beyond the senior-secondary school curriculum; the challenge lies in breadth and speed, not in conceptual difficulty.

This is exactly why a motivated student can clear it through self-study — the content is school-level, and the syllabus is fixed and predictable year after year.

NDA Eligibility & Attempts (Quick Reference)

Syllabus aside, two questions decide whether you can even sit the exam. Candidates must be unmarried and typically aged roughly 16.5 to 19.5 years on the cut-off date set in the notification, having passed or appearing in Class 12 (Maths and Physics are required for the Air Force and Navy wings). There is no cap on the number of attempts as long as you stay within the age window — meaning a Class 11 or early Class 12 student can attempt NDA multiple times. Confirm the exact age band and educational eligibility in the current-year UPSC notification, as the qualifying dates shift with each session.

Maths vs GAT: Time-Allocation & Scoring Strategy

Both papers run 2.5 hours, but their per-question economics differ. Use this strategy.

Because GAT carries double the marks, never neglect it for Maths. A realistic target split: aim for 200+ in Maths and 350+ in GAT to be comfortably above the cut-off. In Maths, attempt your strong topics first and bank easy marks before tackling lengthy calculus problems.

NDA 6–8 Month Study Plan (Syllabus-Based)

A topic-wise timeline beats vague “study daily” advice. Here is a structured plan built around the syllabus weightage.

For the Physics and Chemistry GK heads, the Aakash NEET 11th+12th Complete Set gives chapter-wise theory and MCQs that map cleanly onto NDA’s science questions. Keep up with national and defence news using a monthly digest like the Vision IAS Current Affairs Magazine for the Current Events section.

High-Weightage vs Skip-able Topics: Smart Prioritisation

If you are starting late, study by return-on-effort. The table flags what to attack first and what to leave for last.

No topic should be fully skipped given the negative marking, but allocate revision time in proportion to marks. English and Physics deliver the most marks per study hour.

Can You Clear NDA Without Coaching?

Yes — many candidates clear NDA by self-study. Because the syllabus is school-level and unchanging, a candidate with NCERT books, a quality module set, previous-year papers and a fixed mock-test routine can prepare independently. Coaching helps with discipline and doubt-solving, but it is not a requirement. The non-negotiables are: complete syllabus coverage, daily practice, and at least 15–20 full-length mocks before the exam. Hindi-medium aspirants are not disadvantaged — the paper is bilingual, so prepare in your stronger language and practise the English section separately.

SSB Interview & Selection Process

Clearing the 900-mark written exam qualifies you for the SSB Interview, also worth 900 marks, conducted over 4–5 days in two stages:

• Stage I — Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and the Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT). Only those who clear Stage I proceed.
• Stage II — Psychological tests, Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks, and the Personal Interview, followed by a Conference.

Final merit combines the written 900 and the SSB 900 (out of 1800). A medical examination follows for recommended candidates. So written marks alone don’t get you in — but they carry half the weight and decide whether you even reach the SSB.

NDA Syllabus PDF Download

You can save and print this entire subject-wise NDA syllabus PDF download for offline revision. Use your browser’s Print → Save as PDF on this page to generate a clean, printable checklist of all Maths and GAT topics — no app or sign-up required. Pin it above your study desk and tick off each head as you complete it. Pair the checklist with the recommended modules above so every syllabus head has matching study material.

Common Mistakes NDA Aspirants Make

• Over-focusing on Maths and ignoring GAT, which carries double the marks.
• Skipping the English section — it is the easiest 200 marks to secure.
• Reckless guessing despite negative marking, especially in the 4-mark GAT questions.
• Ignoring current affairs until the last month.
• No mock-test practice — speed and OMR accuracy only come from timed full-length tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the syllabus of the NDA exam?

The NDA syllabus has two papers: Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Geometry, Matrices, Vectors, Probability) worth 300 marks, and the General Ability Test worth 600 marks, covering English plus General Knowledge (Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Events).

Is there negative marking in the NDA exam?

Yes. One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for every wrong answer — that is 0.83 marks in Mathematics and 1.33 marks in the GAT. Unattempted questions carry no penalty, so guess only when you can eliminate options.

What is the syllabus of NDA Maths?

NDA Maths covers Algebra, Matrices & Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry of 2D and 3D, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus & Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, and Statistics & Probability — all at the Class 11–12 NCERT level, for 300 marks across 120 questions.

How many subjects are there in NDA?

The NDA written exam tests Mathematics plus the GAT, which itself spans English and five GK subjects — Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History and Geography (with Current Events) — making it effectively a multi-subject exam across two papers.

Is the NDA syllabus the same as Class 12?

Largely yes. The Mathematics paper is at the Class 11–12 standard, while the GAT ranges from Class 9 to Class 12. Nothing in the syllabus exceeds the senior-secondary school level, which is why self-study with NCERT and good modules works well.

How many marks is the NDA written exam and SSB interview?

The written exam is 900 marks (300 Maths + 600 GAT) and the SSB Interview is also 900 marks, for a grand total of 1800 marks. Final merit is based on the combined score, followed by a medical examination.

Can I clear NDA without coaching by self-study?

Yes. The syllabus is school-level and unchanging, so NCERT books, a structured module set, previous-year papers and 15–20 timed full-length mocks are enough to prepare independently. Coaching mainly adds discipline and doubt-solving, but it is not required to clear NDA.

Which subjects have the highest weightage in NDA GAT?

In the GAT’s General Knowledge part, Physics carries the highest weightage at 100 marks (about 25%), followed by History and Geography at 80 marks each. These three together account for 260 of the 400 GK marks, so they deserve the most preparation time.

Is the NDA syllabus PDF available for download?

The official syllabus is published in the UPSC NDA & NA notification on upsc.gov.in. You can also save this subject-wise page as a PDF using your browser’s Print → Save as PDF option to keep an offline Maths and GAT topic checklist for revision.

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