6/20/2026
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is one of the most prestigious competitive exams conducted by UPSC for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). Below, we have covered the complete details for NDA 1 2026 exam pattern, important dates, and the NDA 2 2023 syllabus and weightage — everything aspirants need to know for effective preparation.
The UPSC NDA 1 2026 exam dates have been officially released. Candidates can check the schedule below to plan their preparation accordingly.
| Events | NDA 1 2026 Dates |
|---|---|
| Release of Notification | December 2025 |
| Start of Online Application | December 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | January 2026 |
| NDA 1 2026 Written Exam Date | April 2026 |
| Result Declaration | May 2026 (Tentative) |
| SSB Interview | July – September 2026 |
The NDA 2026 exam will be conducted in offline (pen-and-paper) mode. It consists of two papers – Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT).
Mode: Offline (OMR based)
Total Papers: 2 (Mathematics & GAT)
Duration: 2½ hours for each paper
Type of Questions: Objective Multiple Choice
Languages: English and Hindi
Negative Marking:
Maths: -0.83 marks for each wrong answer
GAT: -1.33 marks for each wrong answer
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 300 | 2½ Hours |
| Paper II | GAT (English + GK) | 600 | 2½ Hours |
| Total | 900 Marks | 5 Hours |
After qualifying the written test, candidates appear for the SSB Interview which carries 900 marks.
It is conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT)
Stage 2: Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference
Only those who clear Stage 1 are allowed to appear for Stage 2.
The NDA syllabus is designed to test a candidate’s academic knowledge, aptitude, and analytical ability. The subjects and topics are based on the 10+2 level (CBSE standard).
1. Algebra
Sets, operations on sets, Venn diagrams
De Morgan’s laws
Cartesian product, relations, and functions
Complex numbers, cube roots of unity
Binary number system
2. Trigonometry
Angles in degrees and radians
Trigonometric ratios and identities
Multiple and submultiple angles
Inverse trigonometric functions and applications
3. Differential Calculus
Functions, domain, range, and graphs
Limits, continuity, and derivatives
Applications of derivatives: maxima and minima
4. Integral Calculus
Integration as inverse of differentiation
Standard integrals, integration by parts
Definite integrals and applications in finding area
5. Differential Equations
Order, degree, general and particular solutions
Formation and solutions of first-order equations
6. Vector Algebra
Vectors in 2D and 3D, magnitude and direction
Dot and cross product, applications in geometry and physics
7. Statistics and Probability
Data classification and frequency distribution
Graphs: Histogram, Pie Chart, Frequency Polygon
Mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation
Covers grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Grammar & Usage: Parts of speech, tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement
Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, word meanings, sentence usage
Comprehension & Cohesion: Passage understanding, punctuation, and conjunctions
Covers broad areas from science to current events.
Physics: Mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity
Chemistry: Elements, compounds, mixtures, acids, bases, and salts
General Science: Biology, environment, and astronomy
History: Indian freedom movement, ancient to modern history
Geography: Physical, social, and economic geography of India and the world
Current Events: National and international affairs, sports, awards, and defense updates
| Topic | Weightage | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | 10% | 12 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 6% | 7 |
| Trigonometry | 8% | 10 |
| Analytical Geometry | 16% | 20 |
| Differential Calculus | 44% | 55 |
| Integral Calculus & Differential Equations | 16% | 20 |
| Section | Weightage | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar & Usage | 50% | 50 |
| Vocabulary | 20% | 20 |
| Comprehension & Cohesion | 30% | 30 |
| Subject | Weightage | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 25% | 25 |
| Chemistry | 15% | 15 |
| General Science | 10% | 10 |
| History & Freedom Movement | 20% | 20 |
| Geography | 20% | 20 |
| Current Events | 10% | 10 |
Understand the syllabus thoroughly – Don’t skip high-weightage topics like Differential Calculus and English Grammar.
Practice previous years’ papers to improve accuracy and time management.
Revise basic concepts from NCERT Class 11 and 12 books for Maths and Science.
Stay updated with current affairs, especially related to defense, sports, and national events.
With consistent effort and smart strategy, clearing the NDA exam becomes achievable.
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