NDA Syllabus 2026 (Complete Subject-Wise Breakdown With Exam Pattern)
Last Updated On: 19th April 2026, updated to include UPSC NDA 2026 syllabus changes, revised subject weightage, and new paper pattern data.
Reviewed By: Rajesh Sir, Founder and Retd. Army Officer, Hind Defence Academy | 20+ Years of Defence Training Experience
Key Takeaways
- NDA written exam has 2 papers: Maths (300 marks) and GAT (600 marks), total 900 marks
- Paper 1 has 120 questions. Paper 2 has 150 questions. Total 270 questions.
- Negative marking is 1/3rd per wrong answer
- 65% of NDA Maths syllabus overlaps with Class 11 and 12 NCERT
- GAT Paper 2 carries double the marks of Maths Paper 1
- Most aspirants waste 3 months preparing the wrong topics first
Most NDA aspirants in Bihar study for 6 months and fail written not because they were lazy but because nobody told them that Paper 2 carries twice the marks of Paper 1. Here is what the complete NDA Syllabus 2026 actually looks like, explained the way a Bihar student can actually use it. Every topic, every weightage, every mistake, all covered by someone who has trained 1,000+ defence aspirants at Hind Defence Academy.
Image suggestion: Feature image of a young NDA aspirant studying at a desk with NCERT books, early morning light, determined expression. Filename: nda-syllabus-2026-complete-subject-wise-breakdown.webp. Caption: “NDA aspirant from Bihar preparing for NDA Syllabus 2026 at Hind Defence Academy, Patna.”
Table Of Contents
- What Is The NDA Exam And Who Can Apply
- NDA Exam Pattern 2026 At A Glance
- NDA Maths Syllabus 2026 (Complete Topic List)
- NDA GAT Syllabus 2026 (General Ability Test)
- NDA Syllabus Priority Guide (What To Study First)
- NDA Syllabus Vs Class 11 And 12 NCERT (How Much Overlap Exists)
- How To Cover NDA Syllabus In 6 Months
- Common NDA Syllabus Mistakes Bihar Students Make
- How Hind Defence Academy Covers The Complete NDA Syllabus
- Who This Blog Is For
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is The NDA Exam And Who Can Apply
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year. It is the gateway to becoming an officer in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Every year, lakhs of students across India apply for NDA. But only those who understand the syllabus properly clear the written exam.
Image suggestion: Infographic showing NDA exam overview with UPSC logo. Filename: nda-syllabus-2026-exam-overview.webp. Caption: “NDA exam conducted by UPSC twice a year for Army, Navy and Air Force.”
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 16.5 to 19.5 years |
| Education | Class 12 passed or appearing |
| Gender | Male (Girls eligible since 2022) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Nationality | Indian |
Not sure if you fall in the right age bracket? Use this free tool to check right now: Check Your NDA Age Eligibility Here
Many students ask whether girls can apply for NDA in 2026. The answer is yes, and that has changed everything. Since 2022, female candidates are eligible for NDA, and the selection rate is equally competitive.
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 At A Glance
The NDA written exam consists of two papers held on the same day. Knowing the exact structure before you start studying changes everything. Here is the complete breakdown of NDA exam pattern 2026.
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Neg. Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Maths | 120 | 300 | 2.5 hrs | 0.83 |
| Paper 2 | GAT | 150 | 600 | 2.5 hrs | 1.33 |
| Total | 270 | 900 | 5 hrs |
Image suggestion: Infographic showing Paper 1 vs Paper 2 marks and time split. Filename: nda-syllabus-2026-exam-pattern.webp. Caption: “NDA written exam pattern showing 2 papers with 900 total marks.”
Did You Notice? GAT Paper 2 carries 600 marks and Maths carries only 300. Yet 90% of aspirants spend equal time on both. That is where most NDA written failures begin.
The negative marking of 1/3rd per wrong answer means that guessing is dangerous. If you attempt 10 wrong answers, you lose nearly 3.3 marks in Maths and 4.4 marks in GAT. Smart skipping is a skill you need to build from Day 1.
NDA Maths Syllabus 2026 (Complete Topic List)
Maths Paper 1 is the first hurdle every NDA aspirant faces. The NDA Maths Syllabus 2026 covers 11 major topics drawn primarily from Class 11 and 12 NCERT. The table below breaks down every topic, its subtopics, and approximate weightage.
Image suggestion: Pie chart or bar chart showing topic-wise weightage of NDA Maths. Filename: nda-syllabus-2026-maths-breakdown.webp. Caption: “NDA Maths syllabus 2026 topic-wise weightage breakdown.”
| Topic | Subtopics | Approx. Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra | Sets, Relations, Complex Numbers | 15% |
| Matrices and Determinants | Operations, Inverse, Properties | 8% |
| Trigonometry | Ratios, Identities, Heights and Distances | 18% |
| Analytical Geometry (2D) | Lines, Circles, Conic Sections | 12% |
| Analytical Geometry (3D) | Lines, Planes in Space, Direction Cosines | 8% |
| Differential Calculus | Limits, Derivatives, Applications | 15% |
| Integral Calculus | Integration, Area Under Curve | 12% |
| Vector Algebra | Dot Product, Cross Product, Triple Product | 7% |
| Statistics and Probability | Mean, Variance, Probability | 5% |
When I tested Bihar students on the NDA maths syllabus, what I found was that Trigonometry and Calculus together account for nearly 33% of Paper 1. Students who master these two topics first pass the maths cutoff almost every time.
Pause and Think: Most aspirants spend 80% of their maths prep on Algebra because it feels familiar. The real marks are in Calculus and Vectors. Do not fall into that trap.
The NDA syllabus is not your enemy. Wrong preparation is. Focus on high-weightage topics first, then fill in the gaps.
NDA GAT Syllabus 2026 (General Ability Test)
General Ability Test or GAT is Paper 2 of the NDA written exam. It is split into two parts: English (Part A) and General Knowledge (Part B). Many Bihar students underestimate this paper. That is their biggest mistake.
Image suggestion: Subject-wise marks breakdown chart for NDA GAT. Filename: nda-syllabus-2026-gat-breakdown.webp. Caption: “NDA GAT syllabus subject-wise marks breakdown.”
Part A: English (150 Marks)
| Topic | What Is Tested |
|---|---|
| Grammar | Parts of speech, tenses, voice, narration |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution |
| Reading Comprehension | Passages, inference, summary, main idea |
| Usage and Idioms | Correct usage, phrases, idioms, error spotting |
Part B: General Knowledge (450 Marks)
| Subject | Topics Covered | Marks (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Mechanics, Heat, Optics, Sound, Electricity | 100 |
| Chemistry | States of Matter, Reactions, Metals, Organic | 60 |
| Biology | Human Body, Plants, Diseases, Cells | 40 |
| History | Indian and World History | 80 |
| Geography | Physical, Indian, World Geography | 80 |
| Current Events | National and International Affairs | 40 |
| General Science | Science in Daily Life | 50 |
Most people skip this. Do not. History and Geography together carry approximately 160 marks in GAT. That is more than half of Paper 1 Maths. Yet most Bihar students spend almost zero time on Geography. This is the single biggest marks leak in NDA preparation.
If you want to explore what career NDA leads to after written and SSB, Explore The Full Defence Career Path Here.
An aspirant who knows the syllabus beats a hardworker who does not, every single time.
NDA Syllabus Priority Guide (What To Study First)
You have 900 marks to target across 2 papers. But not all subjects need to be started on Day 1. Here is the priority order I recommend to every new student who joins Hind Defence Academy.
| Subject | Total Marks | Difficulty (Bihar Avg.) | Study Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAT English | 150 | Medium | Start Week 1 |
| History | 80 | Low | Start Week 1 |
| Geography | 80 | Low | Start Week 1 |
| Trigonometry | Part of 300 | Medium | Start Week 2 |
| Calculus | Part of 300 | High | Start Week 3 |
| Physics | 100 | High | After basics |
| Chemistry | 60 | Medium | After basics |
| Algebra | Part of 300 | Medium | Parallel |
In my experience training 1,000+ defence aspirants at Hind Defence Academy, I have seen students fail NDA written not because they studied less but because they opened Maths on Day 1 and ignored History and Geography for months. The syllabus rewards balance.
NDA Syllabus Vs Class 11 And 12 NCERT (How Much Overlap Exists)
If you are a Class 11 or 12 student, you are already ahead of where you think you are. A large portion of the NDA Syllabus 2026 is directly covered in NCERT textbooks.
Image suggestion: Comparison table visual showing NCERT overlap percentages. Filename: nda-syllabus-2026-ncert-overlap.webp. Caption: “NCERT syllabus overlap with NDA written exam subjects.”
| Subject | NDA Syllabus Source | NCERT Overlap |
|---|---|---|
| Maths | Class 11 and 12 NCERT | 70% |
| Physics | Class 11 and 12 NCERT | 65% |
| Chemistry | Class 11 and 12 NCERT | 60% |
| History | Class 6 to 12 NCERT | 55% |
| Geography | Class 6 to 12 NCERT | 60% |
| English | Class 10 to 12 NCERT | 75% |
“What I tell every student is this: if you read your NCERT books seriously from Class 9 onwards, you are already 65% done with the NDA syllabus before you even join coaching. The remaining 35% is what we cover at Hind Defence Academy.”
— Rajesh Sir, Founder, Hind Defence Academy
How To Cover NDA Syllabus In 6 Months
If you are starting NDA preparation today, here is a realistic 6-month roadmap. NOTE: This section works best as an image carousel. Each month below is one slide.
Image suggestion: Timeline or roadmap style graphic showing 6-month study plan. Filename: nda-syllabus-2026-6-month-plan.webp. Caption: “6-month NDA syllabus preparation roadmap.”
- Month 1: English Grammar and Vocabulary + History (Ancient and Medieval India)
- Month 2: Geography (Physical and Indian) + Algebra and Sets
- Month 3: Modern History + World Geography + Trigonometry
- Month 4: Physics (Mechanics and Heat) + Calculus basics
- Month 5: Chemistry + Biology + Full GAT revision
- Month 6: Full mock tests + weak area revision + speed improvement
Use this free tracker to mark your daily progress across all subjects: Track Your NDA Preparation Progress Here
Common NDA Syllabus Mistakes Bihar Students Make
In my 20+ years of training defence aspirants, I have seen the same mistakes repeated by students from Bihar again and again. These are not small errors. These are syllabus-level mistakes that cost lakhs of students their selection.
One student from Gaya came to me after failing NDA written 3 times. He had studied 10 hours daily. His mistake? He spent 5 months on Maths alone and touched GAT only in the last 3 weeks. He scored 240 in Maths but only 180 in GAT. The cutoff was 450 total. He was 30 marks short. That is what wrong prioritisation does.
| Mistake | What To Do Instead |
|---|---|
| Starting with Maths on Day 1 | Start with GAT English + History |
| Ignoring negative marking | Skip if unsure, do not guess |
| No mock test until last month | Weekly mock from Month 2 |
| Studying from guides not NCERT | Use NCERT as base, guide later |
| Skipping Current Affairs | 15 minutes daily from Month 1 |
NDA selection is not just written. Physical fitness is tested too. Know where you stand right now: Check Your BMI For NDA Here and Calculate Your NDA Running Time Here
Many students ask if they should take a drop year for NDA. If you are wondering whether to drop or not, remember this: a drop year works only if you already know what went wrong the first time. Otherwise, you are just repeating the same mistakes.
How Hind Defence Academy Covers The Complete NDA Syllabus
If you are serious about NDA preparation, here is a clear comparison of what you get at NDA coaching in Bihar at Hind Defence Academy versus trying to study on your own.
| Feature | Hind Defence Academy | Self-Study Only |
|---|---|---|
| Subject coverage | All topics, structured | Often incomplete |
| Maths batches | Daily, concept to exam | Self-paced, no feedback |
| GAT preparation | History, Geo, Science covered | Usually skipped |
| Mock tests | Weekly full papers | Rarely done |
| Physical training | Free, daily | Not available |
| Personal attention | Small batches | Zero |
| Result track record | 1,000+ trained, Bihar | Unknown |
At Hind Defence Academy, we do not just teach the syllabus. We teach you how to use it. Every topic is broken down by weightage, every chapter is mapped to past year questions, and every student gets a personalised study plan.
Start Your NDA Syllabus Preparation At Hind Defence Academy Today. Enroll Now. Call: +91 77668 34738.
For the latest official NDA syllabus notification, always verify from UPSC NDA Official Notification 2026 and also from NDA Syllabus on Join Indian Army Portal.
Who This Blog Is For
This Blog Is For:
- Students in Class 9 to 12 starting NDA preparation
- Parents wanting to understand what NDA exam covers
- First-time NDA aspirants who feel overwhelmed by the syllabus
This Blog Is NOT Ideal For:
- Students already in advanced NDA preparation and looking for topic-level deep dives
- Coaching institutes looking for curriculum guides
If you are a student looking for the best NDA Foundation Course in Bihar, now is the right time to start. The earlier you begin, the stronger your foundation.
After you clear the written exam, the SSB interview awaits. Want to know your chances? Check Your SSB Screening Chances Here.
Sources And References
- UPSC NDA Notification 2025 to 2026: upsc.gov.in
- NDA Syllabus: joinindianarmy.nic.in
- Hind Defence Academy: hinddefenceacademy.com
About The Author
Rajesh Sir is the Founder of Hind Defence Academy, Patna, and a retired Indian Army officer with over 20 years of service. He has trained 1,000+ defence aspirants across Bihar and has deep expertise in NDA written exam preparation, SSB interview training, and personality development for armed forces careers. Under his leadership, HDA has produced selections in Army, Navy, Air Force, CRPF, ITBP, and Bihar Police.
Reviewed By: Rakhi Ma’am, Head of SSB Wing, Hind Defence Academy | Specialist in Psychology Testing and Personality Development for SSB
Need daily motivation to keep going? Get Your Daily NDA Motivation Here.
Visit: Savita Sadan, N-6, Near Astha Lok Hospital, Kankarbagh, Patna, 800020
Call: +91 77668 34738
Your Queries :-
There are two papers in the NDA written exam: Paper 1 is Mathematics (300 marks) and Paper 2 is General Ability Test or GAT (300 marks). The total written exam is 900 marks.
Yes, negative marking is applicable in the NDA exam. For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to that question are deducted. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
NDA GAT syllabus includes English (grammar, comprehension, vocabulary), General Knowledge (History, Geography, Polity, Economy), and General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). Current affairs are also covered.
NDA Mathematics covers Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Matrices and Determinants, Analytical Geometry, Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, and Statistics. Class 11 and 12 NCERT level questions are asked.
The NDA syllabus 2026 consists of two papers: Mathematics (Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Matrices, etc.) and GAT (General Knowledge, Current Affairs, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, English). Each paper is 300 marks with 2.5 hours duration.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the complete NDA syllabus 2026 subject-wise so you never waste a day of prep. Our expert faculty has curated this guide to help you master every topic.
