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UPSC · NDA

NDA Syllabus and Exam Pattern

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (UPSC)

Sections
3
Topics
76
Sub-topics
742
Stages
3

The NDA (National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (UPSC)) syllabus is organised into 3 sections: Mathematics, English and General Knowledge / General Ability. Together they cover 76 topics and 742 sub-topics, tested in NDA Paper I (Math), NDA Paper II (English) / Paper I (CDS English) and NDA Paper II (GAT). Below you will find every section's topics, the exam pattern and answers to common questions.

About the exam and pattern

NDA & NA Exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year for admission to Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy. Per UPSC NDA notification: Paper I (Mathematics — 300 Q, 2.5 hrs) + Paper II (General Ability Test — 600 Q, 2.5 hrs: English + GK) + SSB Interview (5 days) + Medical. NDA Khadakwasla is the Joint Services academy.

Exam pattern: Offline OMR (Paper I + II) + SSB Interview + Medical — UPSC NDA

Tap a sub-topic to start studying it.

  • Algebra

    Sets, Relations, Functions, Per NDA Official Notification

    ~3 marks
  • Trigonometry & Geometry

    Trigonometric Functions, 2D/3D, Per NDA Official Notification

    ~3 marks
  • Calculus & Statistics

    Differentiation, Integration, Statistics, Per NDA Official Notification

    ~3 marks
  • Arithmetic (MBA Quant)

    Number System, Percentages, Profit-Loss, SI-CI

    ~3 marks
  • Algebra (MBA Quant)

    Equations, Functions, P&C, Probability

    ~3 marks
  • Data Interpretation

    Charts, Tables, Caselets, Data Sufficiency

    ~3 marks
  • English

    Verbal Ability, Grammar, Vocabulary, RC

    ~3 marks
  • Logical Reasoning

    Puzzles, Arrangements, Logic, Decisions

    ~3 marks
  • Mechanics (Physics)

    Kinematics, Dynamics, Rotational Motion, Gravitation

    ~4 marks
  • Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)

    Heat Transfer, Laws, Kinetic Theory

    ~4 marks
  • Optics & Modern Physics

    Light, EM Waves, Relativity, Quantum, Nuclear

    ~4 marks
  • Electrostatics & Current Electricity

    Charges, Fields, Circuits, EM

    ~4 marks
  • Modern Physics

    Quantum, Nuclear, Solid State, Electronics

    ~4 marks
  • Units, Measurement & Practical Physics

    ~4 marks
  • Electromagnetism

    Magnetic, EM Induction, AC, Communication

    ~4 marks
  • Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding

    Quantum, Periodic Table, Bonds

    ~4 marks
  • States of Matter & Solutions

    Gas, Liquid, Solid, Solutions, Colloids

    ~4 marks
  • Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Kinetics

    Energetics, Rate, Ionic

    ~4 marks
  • Inorganic Chemistry

    Periodic Table, s/p/d/f Block, Coordination, Metallurgy

    ~4 marks
  • Organic Chemistry I

    Basic, Hydrocarbons, Functional Groups, Reactions

    ~4 marks
  • Organic Chemistry II

    Aldehydes, Amines, Biomolecules, Polymers, Practical

    ~4 marks
  • Organic Chemistry III

    Spectroscopy, Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Action

    ~4 marks
  • Algebra (Advanced)

    Sets, Relations, Functions, Complex Numbers, P&C

    ~4 marks
  • Trigonometry (Advanced)

    Ratios, Identities, Equations, Inverse, Heights

    ~4 marks
  • Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)

    2D/3D, Conics, Vectors, Transformations

    ~4 marks
  • Calculus (Advanced)

    Limits, Derivatives, Integration, Differential Equations

    ~4 marks
  • Probability & Statistics (Advanced)

    Probability, Stats, Linear Programming

    ~4 marks
  • Modern Mathematics

    Sets, Relations, Boolean Algebra, Number Theory

    ~4 marks
Take a mock test

Exam pattern at a glance

Offline OMR (Paper I + II) + SSB Interview + Medical — UPSC NDA

High-weightage NDA topics

  1. 1Mechanics (Physics)Mathematics~4 marks
  2. 2Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)Mathematics~4 marks
  3. 3Optics & Modern PhysicsMathematics~4 marks
  4. 4Electrostatics & Current ElectricityMathematics~4 marks
  5. 5Modern PhysicsMathematics~4 marks
  6. 6Units, Measurement & Practical PhysicsMathematics~4 marks
  7. 7ElectromagnetismMathematics~4 marks
  8. 8Atomic Structure & Chemical BondingMathematics~4 marks

NDA section-wise syllabus

Mathematics

NDA Paper I (Math) · 28 topics · 271 sub-topics

  • Algebra
  • Trigonometry & Geometry
  • Calculus & Statistics
  • Arithmetic (MBA Quant)
  • Algebra (MBA Quant)
  • Data Interpretation
  • English
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Mechanics (Physics)
  • Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)
  • Optics & Modern Physics
  • Electrostatics & Current Electricity
  • Modern Physics
  • Units, Measurement & Practical Physics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding
  • States of Matter & Solutions
  • Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Kinetics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Organic Chemistry II
  • Organic Chemistry III
  • Algebra (Advanced)
  • Trigonometry (Advanced)
  • Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)
  • Calculus (Advanced)
  • Probability & Statistics (Advanced)
  • Modern Mathematics
Full Mathematics syllabus

English

NDA Paper II (English) / Paper I (CDS English) · 26 topics · 257 sub-topics

  • English
  • English Grammar
  • English Grammar
  • Reading Comprehension
  • English Vocabulary
  • English Comprehension Skills
  • Mechanics (Physics)
  • Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)
  • Optics & Modern Physics
  • Electrostatics & Current Electricity
  • Modern Physics
  • Units, Measurement & Practical Physics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding
  • States of Matter & Solutions
  • Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Kinetics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Organic Chemistry II
  • Organic Chemistry III
  • Algebra (Advanced)
  • Trigonometry (Advanced)
  • Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)
  • Calculus (Advanced)
  • Probability & Statistics (Advanced)
  • Modern Mathematics
Full English syllabus

General Knowledge / General Ability

NDA Paper II (GAT) · 22 topics · 214 sub-topics

  • Indian & World History
  • Defence & Current Affairs
  • Mechanics (Physics)
  • Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics)
  • Optics & Modern Physics
  • Electrostatics & Current Electricity
  • Modern Physics
  • Units, Measurement & Practical Physics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Atomic Structure & Chemical Bonding
  • States of Matter & Solutions
  • Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Kinetics
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Organic Chemistry II
  • Organic Chemistry III
  • Algebra (Advanced)
  • Trigonometry (Advanced)
  • Coordinate Geometry (Advanced)
  • Calculus (Advanced)
  • Probability & Statistics (Advanced)
  • Modern Mathematics
Full General Knowledge / General Ability syllabus

Frequently asked questions

What is the NDA syllabus?

The NDA syllabus has 3 sections: Mathematics, English and General Knowledge / General Ability. Together they cover 76 topics and 742 sub-topics.

What is the NDA exam pattern?

Offline OMR (Paper I + II) + SSB Interview + Medical — UPSC NDA. Stages: NDA Paper I (Math), NDA Paper II (English) / Paper I (CDS English), NDA Paper II (GAT).

How many questions come from each NDA section?

Mathematics: 100 questions (300 marks); English: 100 questions (200 marks); General Knowledge / General Ability: 100 questions (400 marks). Numbers can change with each notification.

Which NDA topics carry the most marks?

By weightage in the syllabus data: Mechanics (Physics) (Mathematics, ~4 marks), Heat & Thermodynamics (Physics) (Mathematics, ~4 marks), Optics & Modern Physics (Mathematics, ~4 marks), Electrostatics & Current Electricity (Mathematics, ~4 marks), Modern Physics (Mathematics, ~4 marks).

How can I prepare for NDA on Topicly?

Open any NDA topic on this page and choose how to study it: step-by-step chat, quizzes, mock tests, formula sheets or a voice call with Sia, your personal teacher. Your progress is saved topic by topic, and it's free to start.

Is this the official NDA syllabus?

It is compiled from the official NDA notification and exam pattern for study purposes. The conducting body can change the syllabus, so always confirm with the latest official notification.

Compiled from official notifications for study purposes. Always confirm with the conducting body's latest notification.