NDA Exam Syllabus and Pattern 2026
The NDA Syllabus for 2026, announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), consists of two major components: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). These topics are set at a Class 11-12 educational standard, making them essential for candidates appearing for both NDA 1 in April and NDA 2 in September. The syllabus spans various subjects, including Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, English, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.
To excel in the 900-mark written examination and subsequent Service Selection Board (SSB) interview worth 900 marks, candidates should download the official UPSC NDA Syllabus PDF. Effective preparation can be achieved through the use of NCERT textbooks, previous examination papers, and mock tests. Key areas to focus on include high-weightage topics such as Quadratic Equations, Newton's Laws of Motion, and Comprehension skills.
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
The structure of the NDA written examination comprises two objective-type papers, and candidates are advised to be mindful of the negative marking system in place. The total duration allocated for the exam is 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 |
Subject-wise Syllabus for NDA
NDA Syllabus for Mathematics
The Mathematics component encompasses topics from Class 11 and 12, aimed at evaluating analytical abilities with a total of 120 questions worth 300 marks.
Key Topics Include:
- 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:
| Topic | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| ALGEBRA | Concepts of set, Venn diagrams, Linear inequations, Quadratic equations, Permutations, and Combinations, etc. |
| MATRICES AND DETERMINANTS | Types of matrices, Determinants, Adjoint, and inverse of matrices, etc. |
| TRIGONOMETRY | Trigonometrical ratios, Identities, Applications including height and distance. |
| ANALYTICAL GEOMETRY (2D) | Equations of lines, circles, and conic sections. |
| ANALYTICAL GEOMETRY (3D) | Vectors and their products, Equations of spheres, cones, and cylinders. |
| DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS | Functions, limits, derivatives and their applications. |
| INTEGRAL CALCULUS AND DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | Integration techniques and types of differential equations. |
| VECTOR ALGEBRA | Triple products and their applications in plane geometry. |
| STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY | Measures of central tendency and dispersion, Binomial Distribution concepts. |
NDA General Ability Test (GAT)
The GAT comprises 150 questions, amounting to 600 marks, which are split into two categories: English and General Knowledge.
Part A: English
- Grammar & Usage: Error spotting, Sentence improvement.
- Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Word selection.
- Comprehension: Passage-based questions.
- Cloze Test: Contextual fill-in-the-blanks.
Part B: General Knowledge
| Subject | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| PHYSICS | States of Matter, Newton’s Laws, Energy principles, Electricity, Magnetism. |
| CHEMISTRY | Chemical Changes, Elements and Compounds, Acids and Bases, Oxidation-Reduction. |
| GENERAL SCIENCE | Human body functions, Ecosystems, Solar System basics, Nutrition. |
| HISTORY | Indian and world history, Major revolutions, Indian independence movement. |
| GEOGRAPHY | Earth’s structure, Indian geography, Natural resources, Climate studies. |
| CURRENT EVENTS | Recent national and international affairs, prominent figures, sports achievements. |
NDA Syllabus 2026 - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NDA Syllabus 2026 for Mathematics?
The syllabus includes Algebra (sets and quadratic equations), Trigonometry (identities), Calculus (derivatives and integrals), Matrices, Vectors, and Geometry (2D and 3D), totaling 120 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) which add up to 300 marks.
Is NDA Syllabus 2026 released?
The NDA syllabus has been officially published in the UPSC NDA notification and remains in line with the previous years, concentrating on Class 11-12 NCERT standards for Mathematics and GAT.
What are high-weightage topics in NDA GAT 2026?
High-weightage areas encompass Physics (with 100 marks focusing on Newton's Laws and Optics) as well as both History and Geography (80 marks each); English comprehension is also crucial.
How to prepare NDA Maths syllabus 2026?
Utilize NCERT textbooks for classes 11-12, practice past exam questions, and concentrate on areas like Trigonometry and Algebra which carry a weightage of 40%. Aim to solve over 50 mock tests.
What is negative marking in NDA 2026 exam?
For Mathematics, there is a penalty of -0.83 for incorrect responses, while in GAT it is -1.33; no marks are deducted for unanswered questions, so approach guessing with caution.