NDA Syllabus 2026
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NDA Syllabus 2026 comprehensively covers Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (GAT) (600 marks) for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) exam, based on Class 11-12 curriculum. Essential for NDA 1 2026 (April) and NDA 2 2026 (September), it emphasizes Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, English Grammar, History, Geography, and Current Events.
Download the official UPSC NDA Syllabus PDF for precise preparation using NCERT books, previous papers, and mock tests to ace the 900-mark written exam followed by SSB Interview (900 marks). Master high-weightage topics like Quadratic Equations, Newton's Laws, and Comprehension for success.
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
The NDA written exam features two objective papers with negative marking. Total duration: 5 hours.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Correct (+) | Incorrect (-) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | +2.5 | -0.83 | 2½ hours |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | +4 | -1.33 | 2½ hours |
| Total | 270 | 900 | - | - | 5 hours |
NDA Syllabus for Mathematics
Mathematics syllabus spans Class 11-12 topics, testing analytical skills (120 questions, 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
| Topic | Sub-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. |
| STATISTICAL AND PROBABILITY | Measures of central tendency and dispersion; applications of probability, Binomial Distribution. |
NDA General Ability Test (GAT)
GAT (150 questions, 600 marks) splits 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, Force and Momentum, Parallelogram of Forces, Stability and Equilibrium of bodies, Gravitation, elementary ideas of work, Power and Energy; Effects of Heat, Measurement of Temperature and Heat, change of State and Latent Heats; Vibrations, Resonance and Sound, Light reflection, refraction, magnification and optical instruments; Electricity and Magnetism, Electric Current, Ohm’s Law, Simple Electrical Circuits, Heating, Lighting and Magnetic Effects of Current; X-rays. |
| CHEMISTRY | Physical and Chemical Changes; Elements, Mixtures and Compounds; Symbols, Formulae and Simple Chemical Equations; Law of Chemical Combination; Properties of Air and Water; Acids, Bases, Salts and Fertilizers; Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide; Oxidation and Reduction; Carbon-different forms; Fertilizers-Natural and Artificial. |
| GENERAL SCIENCE | Human Body-Food, Digestion and Respiration; Census, Population, Climate; Solar System; Epidemics, Balanced Diet, Solar System; Common Epidemics, their causes and prevention; Human Body, its organs, functions; Difference between living and non-living things; Cells and Tissues; Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals; Tissues, Vitamins, Minerals, Nutrition; Elementary knowledge of Solar System, Atmosphere, Climate. |
| HISTORY | Indian History and Culture: Broad Survey; Renaissance, American Independence, French, Industrial, Russian Revolutions; Indian Freedom Struggle: Gandhi, Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose; Five Year Plans; Panchayati Raj; Co-operatives; Role of Armed Forces; UNO: Objectives, Structure, Functions. |
| GEOGRAPHY | Earth: Shape, Size; Latitudes, Longitudes; Concept of Time; International Date Line; Rocks, Minerals; Weather, Climate; Ocean Currents; Atmosphere; Indian Geography: Rivers, Mountains, Soils, Climate; Natural Resources: Minerals, Forests, Agriculture; Ports, Trade. |
| CURRENT EVENTS | India and World: Persons, Places, Awards; Sports, Books, Science Inventions; Recent Developments in India/World. |
