NDA Syllabus 2026 has been officially released for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) examination. This syllabus is crucial for candidates preparing for both NDA 1 in April and NDA 2 in September 2026. The syllabus comprehensively covers Mathematics, which is allocated 300 marks, and the General Ability Test (GAT), which carries 600 marks. The subjects are based on the Class 11-12 curriculum, focusing on key areas such as Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, English Grammar, History, Geography, and Current Events.
The examination consists of a written test followed by an SSB Interview. Candidates are encouraged to download the official UPSC NDA Syllabus PDF for thorough preparation, utilizing resources like NCERT books, previous years’ question papers, and mock tests to excel in the total 900-mark written exam. Mastering high-weightage topics such as Quadratic Equations, Newton’s Laws, and Comprehension will enhance the chances of success.
Note: All information is sourced from the official notification. Candidates are advised to refer to the official syllabus PDF for the most accurate details.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | NDA & Naval Academy Exam |
| Selection Process | Written Exam, SSB Interview |
| Mode of Exam | Objective Type |
| Marking Scheme | Total of 900 marks (Written) |
| Website | upsc.gov.in |
Selection Process
The selection process for NDA includes the following stages:
- Written Exam
- SSB Interview
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
The NDA written examination comprises two objective-type papers, with a total duration of 5 hours and a negative marking scheme.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 |
| Total | 270 | 900 |
- Correct Answers: Mathematics: +2.5, GAT: +4
- Incorrect Answers: Mathematics: -0.83, GAT: -1.33
- Duration: 5 hours
NDA Syllabus for Mathematics
The Mathematics syllabus encompasses topics from Class 11-12, assessing analytical skills through 120 questions worth 300 marks.
Key Topics List:
- Algebra
- Matrices and Determinants
- Trigonometry
- Analytical Geometry (2D)
- Analytical Geometry (3D)
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics and Probability
Detailed Topics
Algebra
- Concept of set, operations on sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, Relation, Equivalence relation
- Representation of real numbers on a line
- Complex numbers-basic properties, modulus, argument, cube roots of unity
- Binary system of numbers
- Arithmetic, Geometric, and Harmonic progressions
- Quadratic equations with real coefficients
- Solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs
- Permutation and Combination
- Binomial theorem and its applications
- Logarithms and their applications
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
Trigonometry
- Angles and their measures in degrees and in radians
- Trigonometrical ratios
- Trigonometric identities, sum and difference formulae
- Multiple and Sub-multiple angles
- Inverse trigonometric functions
- Applications: Height and distance, properties of triangles
Analytical Geometry (2D)
- Rectangular Cartesian and polar coordinates
- Equations of a line, distance formula, intersection of lines
- Angle between two lines, equations of a circle, parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola
Analytical Geometry (3D)
- Vectors in 2D and 3D space
- Scalar and Vector products
- Standard equations of sphere, right circular cone, and cylinder
Differential Calculus
- Functions, limits, continuity, differentiation
- Applications of derivatives: rate of change of quantities, maxima and minima, tangents and normals, simple problems of maxima and minima
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
- Formation of ordinary differential equations
- Solution of first-order differential equations by separation of variables, homogeneous and linear differential equations
Vector Algebra
- Scalar and Vector triple products, application to plane vectors
Statistics and Probability
- Measures of central tendency and dispersion
- Applications of probability, Binomial Distribution
NDA General Ability Test (GAT)
The GAT consists of 150 questions worth 600 marks, divided into Part A: English (200 marks) and Part B: General Knowledge (400 marks).
Part A: English
| Sub-Topics | Details |
|---|---|
| Grammar & Usage | Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Ordering of Words |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, Antonyms, Selecting Words |
| Comprehension | Passage-based questions |
| Cloze Test | Fill in blanks contextually |
Part B: General Knowledge
| Subject | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Physics | Physical Properties and States of Matter, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density and Specific Gravity; Principle of Archimedes, Pressure Barometer; Motion of Objects, Velocity and Acceleration; Newton’s Laws of Motion; Effects of Heat; Electricity and Magnetism; X-rays |
| Chemistry | Physical and Chemical Changes; Elements, Mixtures and Compounds; Simple Chemical Equations; Properties of Air and Water; Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon Dioxide |
| General Science | Human Body, Climate, Solar System, Epidemics, Nutrition |
| History | Indian History and Culture; Indian Freedom Struggle; Role of Armed Forces; UNO |
| Geography | Earth: Shape, Size; Indian Geography; Natural Resources |
| Current Events | Recent Developments in India and the World |
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the NDA Syllabus 2026? Ans. NDA Syllabus 2026 includes subjects like Mathematics and General Ability Test, covering key topics from Class 11-12.
Q2. How many marks is the NDA written exam? Ans. The NDA written exam is worth a total of 900 marks.
Q3. What subjects are included in the NDA General Ability Test? Ans. The General Ability Test includes English and General Knowledge.
Q4. What is the marking scheme for the NDA exam? Ans. Correct answers in Mathematics earn +2.5 marks, while incorrect answers incur a penalty of -0.83.
Q5. Where can I find the official NDA Syllabus PDF? Ans. The official NDA Syllabus PDF can be downloaded from the UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
Q6. What are the important topics for NDA Mathematics? Ans. Important Mathematics topics include Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus.
Q7. How should I prepare for the NDA exam? Ans. Candidates should utilize NCERT books, previous papers, and mock tests for effective preparation.
