UPSC NDA & NA Exam 2026 Syllabus 2026

UPSC NDA Exam Pattern

The NDA written examination is conducted in offline mode using an objective-type question format.

There are two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test.

NDA Mathematics Exam Pattern

Particulars	Details
Subject	Mathematics
Maximum Marks	300
Number of Questions	120
Duration	2 Hours 30 Minutes
Question Type	Objective
Negative Marking	Yes

NDA General Ability Test (GAT) Exam Pattern

Particulars	Details
Subject	General Ability Test
Maximum Marks	600
Number of Questions	150
Duration	2 Hours 30 Minutes
Question Type	Objective
Negative Marking	Yes

The GAT paper includes English and General Knowledge.

Complete NDA Written Exam Pattern

Paper	Subject	Questions	Marks	Duration
Paper I	Mathematics	120	300	2 Hours 30 Minutes
Paper II	General Ability Test	150	600	2 Hours 30 Minutes
Total		270	900	5 Hours

NDA Negative Marking

There is negative marking for incorrect answers in both papers.

Mathematics: One-third of the marks assigned to the question is deducted for an incorrect answer.
General Ability Test: One-third of the marks assigned to the question is deducted for an incorrect answer.
No marks are deducted for questions left unanswered.
If a candidate marks more than one answer for a question, it is treated as an incorrect answer.

Candidates should carefully read the examination instructions and avoid random guessing.

UPSC NDA Syllabus

The NDA syllabus is based largely on the Class 10, Class 11 and Class 12 level curriculum, with questions designed to test conceptual understanding, analytical ability and general awareness.

The syllabus is divided into Mathematics and General Ability Test.

NDA Mathematics Syllabus

The Mathematics paper carries 300 marks. Important topics include:

1. Algebra

Sets, operations on sets and Venn diagrams.
De Morgan's laws.
Cartesian product and relations.
Real numbers and complex numbers.
Binary system.
Arithmetic, geometric and harmonic progressions.
Quadratic equations.
Linear inequalities.
Permutations and combinations.
Binomial theorem.
Logarithms and their applications.

2. Matrices and Determinants

Types of matrices.
Operations on matrices.
Determinants.
Properties of determinants.
Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix.
Applications of matrices and determinants.
Solution of linear equations using matrices.

3. Trigonometry

Angles and their measures.
Trigonometric ratios.
Trigonometric identities.
Sum and difference formulae.
Multiple and sub-multiple angles.
Inverse trigonometric functions.
Heights and distances.
Properties of triangles.

4. Analytical Geometry

Cartesian coordinate system.
Distance formula.
Equation of a straight line.
Angle between two lines.
Circle and its standard equations.
Parabola, ellipse and hyperbola.
Three-dimensional geometry.
Direction cosines and direction ratios.
Equations of planes and lines.

5. Differential Calculus

Concept of a real-valued function.
Domain and range.
Composite functions.
Inverse functions.
Limits and continuity.
Derivatives.
Applications of derivatives.
Increasing and decreasing functions.
Maxima and minima.
Tangents and normals.

6. Integral Calculus and Differential Equations

Integration as the inverse of differentiation.
Integration by substitution and parts.
Definite integrals.
Applications of integration.
Areas under curves.
Formation and solution of differential equations.
First-order differential equations.

7. Vector Algebra

Vectors in two and three dimensions.
Magnitude and direction.
Unit vectors.
Addition and subtraction of vectors.
Scalar multiplication.
Scalar product and vector product.
Applications of vectors.

8. Statistics and Probability

Classification and tabulation of data.
Graphical representation of data.
Measures of central tendency.
Mean, median and mode.
Variance and standard deviation.
Correlation and regression.
Random experiments.
Events and probability.
Conditional probability.
Bayes' theorem.

NDA General Ability Test (GAT) Syllabus

The GAT paper carries 600 marks and is divided into two sections: English and General Knowledge.

Part A: English

The English section carries 200 marks.

Important topics include:

Grammar and usage.
Vocabulary.
Comprehension.
Sentence completion.
Spotting errors.
Synonyms and antonyms.
Sentence arrangement.
Correct usage of words.
Reading comprehension.
Basic communication skills.

Candidates should regularly practise reading comprehension, grammar exercises and vocabulary questions.

Part B: General Knowledge

The General Knowledge section carries 400 marks and includes questions from Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Events.

1. Physics

Physical properties and states of matter.
Motion, force and laws of motion.
Work, power and energy.
Gravitation.
Heat and temperature.
Sound and waves.
Light and reflection.
Electricity and magnetism.
Simple machines.
Basic scientific instruments.

2. Chemistry

Elements, compounds and mixtures.
Atomic structure.
Chemical reactions.
Acids, bases and salts.
Oxidation and reduction.
Metals and non-metals.
Carbon and its compounds.
Fuels and combustion.
Everyday applications of chemistry.

3. General Science

Human body and its systems.
Basic biology.
Nutrition and health.
Diseases and prevention.
Plant and animal life.
Scientific discoveries.
Environment and ecology.

4. History and Freedom Movement

Ancient Indian history.
Medieval Indian history.
Modern Indian history.
British rule in India.
Indian freedom struggle.
Important movements and events.
Social and religious reform movements.
Indian Constitution and basic political developments.

5. Geography

Earth and its structure.
Latitude and longitude.
Climate and weather.
Mountains, rivers and oceans.
Indian physical geography.
Natural resources.
Agriculture and industries.
Population and human geography.
Environmental geography.

6. Current Events

National and international news.
Important government schemes.
Defence exercises.
Military developments.
Awards and honours.
Sports events.
Important appointments.
Science and technology.
International organisations.
Important days and events.

Candidates should use the official UPSC syllabus as the final reference for the examination.