NDA is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and covers Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). This page summarises the NDA exam pattern, marking scheme and syllabus as a study snapshot for previous year question practice. Confirm eligibility, dates and marking in the latest official notification on upsc.gov.in.
Official notification wins
Pattern and syllabus notes below are a study snapshot for PYQ practice. Always cross-check the latest NDA/NA notification on upsc.gov.in before you finalise eligibility, fees, or marking assumptions.
Pattern snapshot
NDA/NA written exam typically has two objective papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Exact marks, duration, and language medium rules follow the year’s UPSC notification.
| Paper | Focus | PYQ mapping tip |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Broad Class 11–12 style maths | Chapter-weight tally + timed full papers |
| GAT | English + GK / science / current affairs | Split error logs: English vs GK |
Written qualification is followed by SSB for shortlisted candidates. PYQs on this hub target the written stage.
Paper orientation (check the official PDF for the full list)
| Layer | What it covers | PYQ mapping tip |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | Algebra, trig, coordinate, calculus, and other listed units | One Pareto list; weekly timed pairs |
| GAT English | RC, usage, vocabulary flavours as tested | Fixed short daily English block |
| GAT GK | History, polity, geography, science, current | Theme map from last 5 years |
If you plan both NDA I and II in a calendar year, keep one living error log and reuse the same chapter map.
Marking scheme (study snapshot)
| Outcome | Typical recent cycles | Prep implication |
|---|---|---|
| Correct | Positive marks as notified | Bank sure items first |
| Wrong | Negative marking applied | Confidence tagging (sure / lean / guess) |
| Unattempted | Usually 0 | Strategic skip is valid |
Confirm exact marks per paper and negative fractions in the current notification. Do not treat a coaching PDF’s marking table as authoritative.
Marking mindset for PYQ practice
- Maths: Practise a confidence tag. After five papers, measure which tag produces most negatives.
- GAT English: Train “RC first, usage second” unless your personal data says otherwise.
- GAT GK: Prefer elimination journals on close options over blind current-affairs hoarding.
Detailed syllabus bullets (for mapping PYQ misses)
Mathematics
- Algebra (as listed in the UPSC notification)
- Matrices and determinants (as listed)
- Trigonometry
- Analytical geometry of two and three dimensions (as listed)
- Differential calculus / integral calculus (as listed)
- Vector algebra, statistics, and probability (as listed)
- Other units named in the live notification
General Ability Test
- English: grammar, vocabulary, comprehension flavours as tested
- Physics, chemistry, general science basics as scoped
- History, polity, geography of India and the world as scoped
- Current events of national and international importance as tested
- Other GAT bullets in the official notification
When you log a miss, write the exact syllabus bullet from the notification, not a shorthand you made up.
Eligibility snapshot
- Age, nationality, and educational qualifications as per the NDA/NA notification
- Unmarried status and other conditions as notified when applicable
- Physical/medical standards referenced for academy entry (confirm official standards)
- Number of attempts / age relaxations as notified for that cycle
Eligibility can change by notification. Treat this as orientation only.
Who runs it and how often
- Exam: National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA/NA)
- Conducted by: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Typical frequency: Twice a year (NDA I and NDA II, as notified)
- Category: Defence
- Official site: upsc.gov.in
Portal caveat
Use the UPSC website’s examination notices and previous question paper archives. Coaching mirrors may host outdated schemes. For syllabus, admit cards, and keys, prefer UPSC originals.
Link PYQs to syllabus
- Take one recent Maths paper and one GAT paper under realistic timing.
- Map every miss to a syllabus bullet from the official notification.
- Study that bullet from your primary resource (textbook/notes).
- Re-solve only those PYQs before the next full paper.
- Update your error log with the syllabus tag so weak areas compound correctly.
- Once per cycle, purge logged GK facts that are outdated.
Syllabus-change drill (when a new notification drops)
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diff last cycle’s syllabus bullets against this cycle |
| 2 | Mark deleted topics as “archive only” in your PYQ folders |
| 3 | Mark new inserts as “watch for appearance in newest papers” |
| 4 | Rebuild the Maths Pareto list without deleted chapters |
Brochure caution
Do not rely on undated coaching PDFs for duration, number of questions, or negative marking. Screenshot or bookmark the current UPSC notification. If a PYQ set disagrees with the latest pattern, still use it for skill practice, but do not treat its structure as the live exam. Prefer official keys from UPSC over memory-based discussions when they conflict.