The NDA syllabus is set by UPSC and printed as an appendix in every NDA and NA notice. The written exam has two objective papers. Mathematics carries 300 marks, and the General Ability Test (GAT), covering English and general knowledge, carries 600 marks. Each paper lasts two and a half hours.
The scheme and topics have stayed the same across recent notices, including the 2026 cycles. Maths is at the Class 11 and 12 level. The GAT checks English usage and broad general knowledge, from physics and chemistry to history, geography and current events.
NDA exam pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| General Ability Test (Part A English: 50 questions, 200 marks; Part B General Knowledge: 100 questions, 400 marks) | 150 | 600 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Written total | 270 | 900 | 5 hours |
Each maths question carries 2.5 marks and each GAT question carries 4 marks. One-third of a question's marks is deducted for each wrong answer, so random guessing costs you. Question papers other than English are set in both Hindi and English.
NDA maths syllabus
- Algebra: sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan's laws, relations, real numbers, complex numbers and cube roots of unity, binary numbers, arithmetic, geometric and harmonic progressions, quadratic equations, linear inequations, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, logarithms.
- Matrices and determinants: types of matrices and operations, properties of determinants, adjoint and inverse, solving linear equations by Cramer's rule and the matrix method.
- Trigonometry: angles in degrees and radians, ratios and identities, sum and difference formulae, multiple and sub-multiple angles, inverse functions, heights and distances, properties of triangles.
- Analytical geometry (2D and 3D): distance formula, forms of a straight line, angle between lines, circles, parabola, ellipse and hyperbola, eccentricity; in 3D, direction cosines and ratios, equations of a plane, line and sphere.
- Differential calculus: functions, domain and range, composite and inverse functions, limits, continuity, derivatives and their meaning, second-order derivatives, increasing and decreasing functions, maxima and minima.
- Integral calculus and differential equations: integration by substitution and by parts, standard integrals, definite integrals and area under curves, order and degree, first-order first-degree equations, growth and decay problems.
- Vector algebra: vectors in two and three dimensions, unit and null vectors, addition, dot and cross products, work done and moment of a force.
- Statistics and probability: frequency distribution, histogram, pie chart and frequency polygon, mean, median and mode, variance and standard deviation, correlation and regression; sample space and events, classical and statistical probability, conditional probability, Bayes' theorem, binomial distribution.
GAT Part A: English (200 marks)
The English section tests your understanding of the language and how well you use words. It covers grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension, and cohesion in longer passages. Typical questions include spotting errors, sentence improvement, synonyms and antonyms, ordering sentences, fill in the blanks and reading comprehension.
GAT Part B: General Knowledge (400 marks)
| Section | Subject | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| A | Physics | 25 percent |
| B | Chemistry | 15 percent |
| C | General Science | 10 percent |
| D | History, Freedom Movement and related topics | 20 percent |
| E | Geography | 20 percent |
| F | Current Events | 10 percent |
- Physics: properties of matter, density and Archimedes' principle, motion and Newton's laws, gravitation, work, power and energy, heat, sound, light, mirrors and lenses, magnetism, electricity and Ohm's law, cells, X-rays, and how simple instruments such as pulleys, levers, periscopes, telescopes and safety fuses work.
- Chemistry: physical and chemical changes, elements, mixtures and compounds, formulae and simple equations, properties of air and water, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, oxidation and reduction, acids, bases and salts, forms of carbon, fertilisers, materials used in soap, glass, cement and paints, atomic structure and valency.
- General Science: living and non-living things, cells and tissues, growth and reproduction, the human body, common epidemics and their prevention, food and balanced diet, the solar system and eclipses, and achievements of eminent scientists.
- History and freedom movement: Indian culture and civilisation, the freedom movement, the Constitution and administration, five-year plans, panchayati raj and co-operatives, the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, the renaissance, the American, French, Industrial and Russian revolutions, the United Nations, Panchsheel and India's role in the world.
- Geography: the earth, latitude and longitude, time and the International Date Line, rocks and weathering, earthquakes and volcanoes, ocean currents and tides, atmosphere, winds, cyclones and climate types, natural regions of the world, and the regional geography of India, including resources, farming, industry, ports, routes and trade.
- Current Events: important recent events in India and the world, and prominent Indian and international personalities, including those in culture and sports.
After the written exam: SSB
Candidates who clear the written cut-off face a Services Selection Board for 900 marks. Stage I includes an officer intelligence rating test and a picture perception and discussion test; those who clear it move to Stage II, with psychology tests, group tasks, a personal interview and a conference. The SSB has no fixed book syllabus, but the habits you build for the GAT, such as reading news and speaking clearly, help here.
How to download the NDA syllabus PDF
- Visit upsc.gov.in and open the examination notices section.
- Download the latest NDA and NA notice.
- Go to the appendix on the scheme of examination and syllabus.
Preparation tips
- Use NCERT Class 11 and 12 maths books for concepts, then timed practice. Do not ignore calculus and probability.
- For GK, revise NCERT science and social science from Class 6 to 10 first; physics alone carries a quarter of the GK marks.
- Read an English newspaper daily for vocabulary, comprehension and current events.
- Attempt full papers under time limits and learn when to skip a question.
Related pages
Eligibility, wing rules and the selection process are on the NDA exam hub . If you plan a longer UPSC career, compare this with the UPSC civil services syllabus . Other uniformed exams such as the SSC GD syllabus also test general awareness, and there is a list of options on our 12th pass government jobs page. Browse more on the syllabus hub .
HindiScope is not an official site; confirm the syllabus in the latest notice on upsc.gov.in.