The National Defense Academy (NDA) exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is a highly competitive entrance examination for aspiring officers in the Indian Armed Forces. With a comparatively low selection ratio, successfully cracking the NDA exam requires meticulous preparation and a thorough understanding of the NDA syllabus and exam pattern 2025. To assist candidates in their journey toward success, we have compiled a comprehensive guide covering the NDA Syllabus 2025, exam pattern, marking scheme, and other essential details. Whether you’re aiming for NDA 1 or NDA 2, this article will provide you with the insights needed to excel in the examination.
NDA Syllabus 2025
The NDA Syllabus 2025 is an essential resource for aspirants looking to succeed in the NDA 2025 exam. The syllabus has remained consistent over the years and is expected to continue in its current format. It focuses on two primary subjects: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). We have provided updated NDA Math syllabus 2025 and NDA GAT syllabus 2025, highlighting the topics that are currently trending in the examination.
NDA Syllabus 2025: Overview
The NDA Syllabus 2025 closely aligns with the Class 12 syllabus and it contains subjects such as Mathematics, English, History, Polity, Economics, General Science, Physics, and Chemistry. It is essential for candidates preparing for the NDA exam to attempt all sections thoroughly to ensure comprehensive coverage of the material. Therefore, NDA aspirants should complete their NDA Syllabus 2025 in its entirety before sitting for the main exam. Below is an overview of the syllabus for NDA 2025.
| NDA Syllabus 2025 |
|---|
| Name of the Exam: NDA I & II 2025 |
| Exam Conducting Body: UPSC |
| Mode of Exam: Offline |
| Total Papers in NDA Exam: |
| – Paper 1: Mathematics |
| – Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Total Marks for NDA Exam: 900 Marks |
| – Mathematics: 300 Marks |
| – GAT: 600 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions: |
| – Mathematics: 120 |
| – GAT: 150 |
| Negative Marking: |
| – Mathematics: -0.83 |
| – GAT: -1.33 marks |
| Exam Duration: |
| – Mathematics: 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| – GAT: 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Official Website: upsc.gov.in |
Defence aspirants preparing for the NDA Examination 2025 should have a clear understanding of the NDA Exam Pattern 2025 to stay motivated and focused in their preparation. The exam consists of two main stages: a written test and a Service Selection Board (SSB) interview. The written test includes two papers: Mathematics, which lasts 2½ hours and is worth 300 marks, and the General Ability Test (GAT), also lasting 2½ hours and valued at 600 marks. Candidates who successfully clear the written test will advance to the five-day SSB interview, which is assessed out of a total of 900 marks. Understanding the NDA Math syllabus and NDA GAT syllabus is essential for effective preparation and to address any doubts candidates may have during their studies.
| Subject | Duration | Total Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 2½ Hours | 120 | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 2½ Hours | 150 | 600 |
| SSB Test/Interview | 5 Days | 900 | |
| Total | 1800 | ||
NDA Math Syllabus 2025
The NDA Mathematics syllabus for the National Defence Academy examination is designed to evaluate candidates’ quantitative skills and problem-solving abilities. It encompasses essential topics such as algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and analytical geometry. A solid grasp of these concepts, combined with regular practice, is vital for success. Candidates can refer to the NDA Maths syllabus 2025, which aligns with the most recent NDA exams. Below are the key Important Topics for NDA Maths Exam 2025:
- Algebra
- Matrices and Determinants
- Trigonometry
- Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics and Probability
Candidates can refer to the detailed NDA Math Syllabus 2025. The Important topics are elaborated with sub topics that are important for the examination point of view.
1. Algebra
- Sets and Relations: Concept of sets, operations on sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan’s laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation.
- Real Numbers: Representation on a number line, complex numbers (properties, modulus, argument, cube roots of unity), binary system, conversion between decimal and binary systems.
- Sequences and Series: Arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic progressions.
- Quadratic Equations: Quadratic equations with real coefficients, solution of linear equations of two variables by graphs.
- Permutations and Combinations: Counting principles, permutations, combinations, binomial theorem, and its applications.
- Logarithms: Properties of logarithms, solving equations involving logarithms.
2. Matrices and Determinants
- Types of matrices (square, rectangular, row, column, diagonal, scalar, identity, zero, triangular).
- Operations on matrices (addition, subtraction, scalar multiplication, matrix multiplication, transpose, inverse, adjoint).
- Determinants of matrices (2×2, 3×3, and larger matrices), properties of determinants.
Applications of matrices: Solving systems of linear equations using Cramer’s rule and matrix method.
3. Trigonometry
- Angles and their measures (degrees, radians).
- Trigonometric ratios (sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, cosecant).
- Trigonometric identities (sum and difference formulae, multiple and sub-multiple angles, inverse trigonometric functions).
- Applications of trigonometry (height and distance problems, properties of triangles).
4. Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions
- Rectangular Cartesian coordinate system, distance formula, equation of a line in various forms.
- Angle between two lines, distance of a point from a line, equation of a circle in standard and general form.
- Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola, eccentricity, and axis of a conic.
- Point in three-dimensional space, distance between two points, direction cosines and direction ratios.
- Equation of a plane and a line in various forms, angle between two lines and two planes, equation of a sphere.
5. Differential Calculus
- Concept of a real-valued function (domain, range, graph).
- Composite functions, one-to-one, onto, and inverse functions.
- Limits and continuity of functions.
- Derivatives of functions (sum, product, quotient, composite functions).
- Higher-order derivatives, increasing and decreasing functions.
- Applications of derivatives (maxima and minima problems).
6. Integral Calculus and Differential Equations
- Integration as the inverse of differentiation.
- Integration by substitution and by parts.
- Standard integrals (algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, hyperbolic functions).
- Definite integrals and their applications (area under curves).
- Differential equations: order, degree, formation, general and particular solutions, first-order and first-degree equations.
- Applications of differential equations (growth and decay problems).
7. Vector Algebra
- Vectors in two and three dimensions, magnitude, and direction.
- Unit and null vectors, addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector.
- Scalar product (dot product) and vector product (cross product) of two vectors.
- Applications of vectors (work done by a force, moment of a force, geometrical problems).
8. Statistics and Probability
- Statistics: Classification of data, frequency distribution, cumulative frequency distribution, graphical representation (histogram, pie chart, frequency polygon), measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), variance, standard deviation, correlation, and regression.
- Probability: Random experiment, outcomes, 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), elementary theorems on probability, conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem, random variables, binomial distribution.
NDA Marking Scheme For Maths
The NDA marking scheme for Mathematics is structured to evaluate candidates effectively during the examination. In the NDA exam, candidates earn 2.5 marks for each correct answer. However, to discourage random guessing, a penalty of 0.83 marks is deducted for each incorrect answer, reflecting the negative marking aspect of the NDA marking scheme 2025. The Mathematics section consists of 120 questions, totaling 300 marks, and candidates are allotted 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete this portion of the exam. Understanding this marking scheme is crucial for aspirants as it influences their strategy during the test.
| Subject | No of Questions | Total Marks | Time Duration | -ve Marks | + ve Marks |
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2 Hrs 30 Min | -0.83 | +2.5 |
The NDA Paper 2 syllabus includes the General Ability Test (GAT), covering a wide range of topics such as General Knowledge (GK), English, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, General Science, and Current Events. This paper comprises 150 questions, with 50 questions focused on English and 100 questions dedicated to General Knowledge, totaling 600 marks. The NDA GAT syllabus 2025 outlines the subjects and topics that candidates must study to prepare effectively for the NDA exam. Understanding the NDA Paper 2 syllabus 2025 is essential for aspirants to ensure comprehensive preparation and success in the examination.
| Subject | No of Questions | Total Marks | Time Duration | -ve Marks | + ve Marks |
| English | 50 | 200 | 2 Hrs 30 Min | -1.33 | +4 |
| GK | 100 | 400 | |||
| Total | 150 | 600 |
NDA English Syllabus 2025 Part-A
The English section of the NDA exam evaluates candidates understanding of English grammar, usage, vocabulary, and comprehension. The questions are designed to assess a candidate’s ability to use English effectively and communicate clearly in written form. This section aims to test proficiency in extended text, ensuring candidates can comprehend and analyze information presented in various formats.
| Topics | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Grammar and Usage | Parts of speech: Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb, Conjunction, Preposition, Interjection |
| Subject-verb agreement | |
| Tenses: Present, Past, Future | |
| Active and passive voice | |
| Coherence and unity: Theme, Idea, Paragraph, Sentence Structure | |
| Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word substitution, Idioms and Phrases, Words often confused | |
| Comprehension | Comprehension of a given passage |
| Drawing of inferences | |
| Use of vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word substitution, Idioms and Phrases, Words often confused | |
| Expression | Simple sentence structure |
| Punctuation: Comma, Full stop, Question Mark, Exclamation Mark, Apostrophe | |
| Conjunctions: Coordinating, Subordinating | |
| Adverbs and Prepositions | |
| Direct and indirect speech | |
| Comparison: Degrees of comparison | |
| Articles: Definite and Indefinite Articles | |
| Verbs: Auxiliary, Modal, Regular and Irregular verbs | |
| Sentence correction: Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement |
NDA General Knowledge Syllabus 2025 Part-2
The NDA GAT (General Ability Test) syllabus for 2025 comprises six sections that candidates should thoroughly prepare. These sections include Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs. The question paper will broadly encompass topics from these subjects, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of candidates’ knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Events. A solid understanding of each area is essential for success in the exam.
NDA Physics Syllabus 2025 (Section A)
The questions in the physics section are asked from topics like Mass, Weight, Volume, Pressure, Newton’s laws of Motion etc. Given below is the complete list of topics from which the questions are been asked in the NDA examination.
- 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 Heat
- Modes of Transference of Heat
- Sound Waves and Their Properties
- Simple Musical Instruments
- Rectilinear Propagation of Light, Reflection, and Refraction
- Spherical Mirrors and Lenses
- Human Eye
- Natural and Artificial Magnets
- Properties of a Magnet, Earth as a Magnet
- Static and Current Electricity
- Conductors and Non-Conductors
- Ohm’s Law
- Simple Electrical Circuits
- Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic Effects of Current
- Measurement of Electrical Power
- Primary and Secondary Cells
- 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 Chemistry Syllabus 2025 (Section B)
The Chemistry segment is the NDA examination and consists of questions from topics like Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Acids, Bases and Salts, Properties of matter, etc. Consider the table given below in order to get a glimpse of the topics from which the questions are been asked.
- Physical and Chemical Changes
- Elements, Mixtures, and Compounds
- Symbols, Formulae, and Simple Chemical Equations
- Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems)
- Properties of Air and Water
- Preparation and Properties of: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide
- Oxidation and Reduction
- Acids, Bases, and Salts
- Carbon – Different Forms
- Fertilizers – Natural and Artificial
- Materials Used in the Preparation of: Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, Gunpowder
- Elementary Ideas about the Structure of Atom
- Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights
- Valency
NDA General Science Syllabus 2025 (Section C)
General Science is the category that consists of general topics like Growth and Reproduction, basis of life, questions on food and balanced diet etc. All the topics from the General science section in the NDA syllabus are given below:
| General Science Syllabus For NDA |
|
NDA History Syllabus 2025 ( Section D)
The Questions in this sections are majorly asked from History like Various movements, Indian constitution, Various plans in india, various revolutions etc. Given below is the list of the complete topics:
| History, Freedom Movement, etc. Syllabus For NDA |
|
NDA Geography Syllabus 2025 (Section E)
The questions in this section are made from the topics like Origin of the earth, latitude and longitudes, rocks, wind, cyclones, etc. Check the list of topics given below to get a better understanding of this section.
| Geography Syllabus For NDA |
|
NDA Current Affairs Important Topics ( Section- F)
Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years. Current important world events. Prominent personalities—both Indian and International including those connected with cultural activities and sports.
NOTE: Out of the maximum marks assigned to part ‘B’ of this paper, questions on Sections ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ will carry approximately 25%, 15%, 10%, 20%, 20%, and 10% weightage respectively.
NDA GAT Subject Wise Weightage 2025
Out of the maximum marks assigned to part ‘B’ of this paper, questions on Sections ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘E’ and ‘F’ will carry approximately 25%, 15%, 10%, 20%, 20%, and 10% weightage respectively.
|
Section/Subject
|
Percentage of Marks
|
|
Section A: Physics
|
25%
|
|
Section B: Chemistry
|
15%
|
|
Section C: General Science
|
10%
|
|
Section D: History/Freedom Movements
|
20%
|
|
Section E: Geography
|
20%
|
|
Section F: Current Events
|
10%
|
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