NDA Syllabus
National Defence Academy (NDA) is the Joint Services academy of the Indian Armed Forces. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam every year. NDA is a national-level exam conducted twice a year. This is one of the most sought-after defence jobs in India to join the Defence Forces as an Officer by the male candidates. The selection of eligible males & females into NDA will be done on the basis of the written test followed by the Personality Test.
NDA Syllabus
NDA written examination is divided into two papers namely Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The boys and girls who are seeking to apply for NDA must begin their preparation for the written exam by following the detailed NDA Syllabus . which has been discussed in this article.
NDA Syllabus – Overview
| Name of the Exam | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission, UPSC. |
| Frequency Of Exam | Twice in a Year (April & September ) |
| Selection Process | 1. Written Test consisting of Objective Type Questions
2. Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB) |
| Mode of exam | Offline |
| Papers in NDA Exam | 1. Mathematics
2. General Ability Test |
| Marks Segregation | Mathematics: 2 hours 30 minutes General Ability Test: 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Eligibility Criteria | Unmarried Male & Female candidates can apply |
| Total No. of Questions | 1. Mathematics: 120
2. GAT: 150 |
| Negative Marking | 1. Mathematics: -0.83
2. GAT: -1.33 marks |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours For Each Paper (5 hours total) |
| Language of Question Paper | English & Hindi English Language paper has to be attempted in English. |
| Answer Mode | Candidates must use black ball point pen to mark their answers. |
| Type of Question | The question paper will be objective type questions |
NDA Exam Pattern
Before getting into the NDA Syllabus let us have a look at the NDA Exam Pattern. The mathematics paper has 120 questions of 300 marks and GAT will have English and GK Papers of 200 & 400 marks respectively.
NDA Mathematics Exam Pattern
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions | 120 |
| Marks awarded for Correct answer | 2.5 marks |
| Marks deducted for the wrong answer | -0.83 |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours |
NDA Mathematics Syllabus
The chapters covered for NDA Maths Syllabus are given in the table below.
| Mathematics | |
|---|---|
| Topic | Topic-wise Syllabus |
| Algebra | Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Real numbers, Complex numbers, Modulus, Cube roots, Conversion of a number in Binary system to Decimals, and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations, Linear in equations, Permutation and Combination, Binomial theorem, and Logarithms. |
| Calculus | Concept of a real-valued function, domain, range, and graph of a function. Composite functions, one-to-one, onto, and inverse functions. The notion of limit, Standard limits, Continuity of functions, algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative of function at a point, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative-application. Derivatives of sum, product, and quotient of functions, a derivative of a function concerning another function, the derivative of a composite function. Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima |
| 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. |
| 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. Evaluation of definite integrals—determination of areas of plane regions bounded by curves—applications.Definition of order and degree of a differential equation, formation of a differential equation by examples. General and particular solution of differential equations, solution of the first order, and first-degree differential equations of various types—examples. Application in problems of growth and decay. |
| Trigonometry | Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios. Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications-Height and distance, properties of triangles. |
| Vector Algebra | Vectors in two and three dimensions, magnitude, and direction of a vector. Unit and null vectors, the addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar product, or dot product of two vectors. Vector product or cross product of two vectors. Applications—work done by a force and moment of a force and in geometrical problems. |
| Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension | Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system. Distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms. The angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and a general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. Point in a three-dimensional space, the distance between two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of a plane and a line in various forms. The angle between two lines and the angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere. |
| Statistics and Probability | Probability: Random experiment, outcomes, and associated sample space, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, impossible and certain events. Union and Intersection of events. Complementary, elementary, and composite events. Definition of probability—classical and statistical—examples. Elementary theorems on probability—simple problems. Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem—simple problems. Random variable as function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binomial distribution. |
The topic-wise question distribution in Maths
| Topic | Questions |
| Calculus | 20-25 |
| Quadratic equation | 20-15 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 30 |
| Probability | 10 |
| Trigonometry | 30 |
| Complex number | 10-15 |
General Ability Test Exam Pattern
| Paper-II- General Ability Test | |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 600 marks |
| Total No. of Questions | 150 |
| No. of questions in English Section | 50 |
| No. Of questions in General knowledge Section | 100 |
| Maximum Marks for English | 200 marks |
| Maximum Marks for G.K. | 400 marks |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 4 marks in both sections |
| Marks for Incorrect Answer | -1.33 marks in both sections |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours |
NDA General Ability Test- Syllabus
The General ability test comprises two papers English and General Knowledge. The English paper consists of 200 Marks while the General Knowledge is of 400 Marks.
NDA Syllabus- English
The question paper in English will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English. The syllabus covers various aspects like as given below:
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Spotting Errors | 5 | 20 |
| Comprehension | 6 | 24 |
| Selecting Words | 10 | 40 |
| Ordering of Words in a Sentence | 9 | 36 |
| Sentence Improvement | 10 | 40 |
| Antonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Synonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Total | 50 | 200 |
NDA Syllabus- General Knowledge
Check the topic-wise number of questions and marks distribution in the table below.
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 23 | 92 |
| Chemistry | 16 | 64 |
| General Science | 11 | 44 |
| History & Freedom Movement | 16 | 64 |
| Geography | 17 | 68 |
| Current Events | 17 | 68 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
NDA Syllabus- Physics
- Physical Properties and States of Matter
- Modes of transference of Heat
- Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties
- Simple musical instruments
- Rectilinear propagation of Light
- Density and Specific Gravity
- Reflection and refraction
- Principle of Archimedes
- Spherical mirrors and Lenses
- Pressure Barometer
- Human Eye
- Motion of objects
- Natural and Artificial Magnets
- Velocity and Acceleration
- Properties of a Magnet
- Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Earth as a Magnet
- Force and Momentum
- Static and Current Electricity
- Parallelogram of Forces
- Conductors and Non-conductors
- Stability and Equilibrium of bodies
- Ohm’s Law
- Gravitation
- Simple Electrical Circuits
- Elementary ideas of work
- Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current
- Power and Energy
- Measurement of Electrical Power
- Effects of Heat
- Primary and Secondary Cells
- Measurement of Temperature and Heat
- Use of X-Rays
- General Principles in the working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightning Conductors, Safety Fuses.
NDA Syllabus- Chemistry
- Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction.
- Acids, bases and salts.
- Carbon— different forms
- Physical and Chemical Changes
- Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial
- Elements
- Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gunpowder
- Mixtures and Compounds
- Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom
- Symbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical Equation
- Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights
- Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems)
- Valency
- Properties of Air and Water
NDA Syllabus- General Science
- Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention
- Difference between the living and non-living
- Food—Source of Energy for man
- Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues
- Constituents of food
- Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals
- Balanced Diet
- Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs
- The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists
NDA Syllabus- History, Freedom Movement
- Forces shaping the modern world;
- Renaissance
- Exploration and Discovery;
- A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation
- Freedom Movement in India
- French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution
- War of American Independence,
- Impact of Science and Technology on Society
- Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration
- Concept of one World
- Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India
- United Nations,
- Panchsheel,
- Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism and Communism
- Role of India in the present world
- Co-operatives and Community Development
- Bhoodan, Sarvodaya,
- National Integration and Welfare State
- Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi
NDA Syllabus- Geography
- The Earth, its shape and size
- Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition
- Latitudes and Longitudes
- Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation
- Concept of time
- Types of Climate
- International Date Line
- Major Natural Regions of the World
- Movements of Earth and their effects
- Regional Geography of India
- Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources;
- Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities
- Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification
- Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India
- Weathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes
- Main items of Imports and Exports of India
Current Events
- Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years prominent personalities of both Indian and International level, Cultural activities and sports activities, Current important world events
Exam Day Instructions
- Here candidates can check some instructions for examination day:
- Candidates must reach examination hall before 30 minutes of the commencement of exam.
- Do not bring calculator or any other electronic device in the examination hall.
- Candidates should not do any rough work in the question paper or OMR sheet; Rough work will be done only in the text book.
- Bring admit card and photo ID proof on the day of examination.
- Do not leave examination hall without permission of invigilators.
