The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released a detailed PDF of the NDA Syllabus 2024 in its official notification. Candidates are recommended to review the UPSC NDA syllabus to better grasp the topics included in the upcoming NDA exam. The program includes two subjects: mathematics and the General Ability Test. The NDA Syllabus 2024 only has objective-type questions. Additionally, candidates should review the NDA Exam Pattern 2024 to become acquainted with the exam style and prerequisites. Read the entire post to learn about the NDA Syllabus 2024, exam pattern, marking structure, and other important details.
Table of Contents
NDA Syllabus 2024 Pdf Download
The two papers of the NDA written exam are:
1) Algebra
2) The GAT, or General Ability Test
Boys and girls who intend to apply for NDA 2024 can start preparing by going over the topics, patterns, and marking scheme in depth in the NDA Syllabus. On September 1, 2024, the NDA 2 exam will take place in an offline format. The following are the main features of the NDA Exam Pattern and Syllabus:
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Exam | National Defense Academy Exam or NDA exam |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC |
| Mode of exam | Offline (Pen and Paper mode) |
| Total Papers in NDA Exam | Mathematics General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Total Marks for NDA Exam | Total: 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 |
NDA Exam Pattern 2024
The NDA written test consists of two papers: 1) Algebra
2) The General Ability Test, or GAT
Those who plan to apply for NDA 2024, both boys and girls, should begin preparing by thoroughly reviewing the themes, patterns, and marking scheme found in the NDA syllabus. The NDA 2 exam will be offered in an offline style starting on September 1, 2024. The primary characteristics of the NDA exam pattern and syllabus are as follows:
| Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 2½ Hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 2½ Hours | 600 |
| SSB Test/Interview | 900 |
NDA Exam Syllabus
It is recommended that candidates go over the NDA syllabus before starting their preparation. The subjects to be studied for the test are listed in the syllabus. Important subjects included in the NDA exam are:
- English: Idioms and phrases, vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, identifying errors, and reading comprehension, among other things.
- Mathematical concepts include sets, trigonometry, differential calculus, Venn diagrams, matrices and determinants, and 2D and 3D geometry.
- General Knowledge: Physics, Basic Science, Art & Culture, Current Affairs, Chemistry, History, etc.
Mathematics Syllabus (300 Marks)
English: Among other things, idioms and expressions, vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, error detection, and reading comprehension.
Sets, trigonometry, differential calculus, Venn diagrams, matrices and determinants, and 2D and 3D geometry are examples of mathematical notions.
: Among other things, idioms and expressions, vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, error detection, and reading comprehension.
Sets, trigonometry, differential calculus, Venn diagrams, matrices and determinants, and 2D and 3D geometry are examples of mathematical notions.
General Knowledge: History, chemistry, physics, art and culture, current affairs, etc.
| Topics | Sub Topics |
|---|---|
| Algebra | Set concept, set operations, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, and equivalency relation. real numbers displayed on a line. Basic characteristics, modulus, argument, and cube roots of unity of complex numbers. Numbers in the binary system include conversions from decimal to binary. Geometric, harmonic, and arithmetic progression. real-coefficient quadratic equations. Use diagrams to solve linear equations with two variables. Combination and permutation. The binomial theorem and its uses. |
| Matrices and Determinants | Matrices’ types and matrix operations. determiner of a matrix and its fundamental characteristics. inverse and adjacent to a square matrix. Applications include the use of Cramer’s rule and the Matrix Method to solve a system of linear equations with two or three unknowns. |
| Trigonometry | Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios and identities. Sum and difference formulas. Multiple and sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications include height and distance calculations and properties of triangles. |
| Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions | Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system, including the distance formula. equation of a line in various forms and the angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in both standard and general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola, along with their eccentricity and axis. Points in three-dimensional space and the distance between two points. Direction cosines and direction ratios. Equations of a plane and a line in various forms. Angle between two lines and angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere. |
| Calculus | Concept of a real-valued function, including domain, range, and graph. Composite functions, one-to-one, onto, and inverse functions. Notion of limit and standard limits with examples. Continuity of functions with examples and algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative of a function at a point, including its geometrical and physical interpretation and applications. Derivatives of the sum, product, and quotient of functions, as well as derivatives of functions with respect to another function and composite functions. Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives to problems of maxima and minima. |
| Integral Calculus and Differential Equations | Integration is the inverse of differentiation, including techniques such as substitution and integration by parts. Standard integrals involve algebraic expressions, trigonometric functions, exponential functions, and hyperbolic functions. Evaluation of definite integrals and the determination of areas of plane regions bounded by curves. Definition of order and degree of a differential equation and formation of differential equations through examples. General and particular solutions of differential equations, including the solution of first-order and first-degree differential equations of various types with examples. Applications in problems of growth and decay. |
| Vector Algebra | Vectors in two and three dimensions, covering magnitude and direction. Key concepts include unit vectors, null vectors, vector addition, scalar multiplication, dot product, and cross product. Applications involve calculating work done by a force, moment of a force, and solving geometrical problems. |
| Statistics and Probability | Statistics: Classification of data, frequency distribution, and cumulative frequency distribution—with examples. Graphical representation includes Histogram, Pie charts, and Frequency polygons, with examples. Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median, and Mode. Variance and Standard Deviation: Calculation and comparison. Correlation and Regression. Probability: Random experiment, outcomes, and associated sample space; events including mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, as well as impossible and certain events. Union and Intersection of Events. Complementary, elementary, and composite events. Definition of probability—classical and statistical—with examples. Elementary theorems on probability—simple problems. Conditional probability and Bayes’ theorem—with simple problems. random variable is a function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, with examples of random experiments that lead to a Binomial distribution. |
The topic-wise number of questions from the Maths section is given in the table below:
| Topic | Questions Range |
|---|---|
| Probability | 10 |
| Complex Number | 10-15 |
| Calculus | 20-25 |
| Quadratic Equation | 20-25 |
| Matrices and Determinants | 30 |
| Trigonometry | 30 |
NDA Marking Scheme For Maths
Candidates will receive 2.5 marks for each correct answer in the NDA exam. However, for every incorrect answer, 0.83 marks will be deducted as negative marking. Below are the details of the marking scheme and the number of questions:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Total Number of Questions | 120 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 2.5 marks |
| Marks Deducted for Wrong Answer | -0.83 |
| Total Duration of Mathematics Paper | 2 hours, 30 Minutes |
Download the free ebook for NDA 2024 Preparation
NDA Syllabus For Paper 2
The General Ability Test (GAT) syllabus for NDA Paper 2 contains topics like General Knowledge (GK), English, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, General Science, and Current Events. There are 150 questions total in this paper: 100 questions on general knowledge and 50 questions on English. There are a total of 600 marks in this section. The themes and topics that applicants must review in order to pass the NDA exam are listed in the curriculum.
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Total marks for GAT paper | 600 marks |
| Number . of questions | 150 |
| Total questions in English | 50 |
| Total questions in GK | 100 |
| Total Marks for English | 200 |
| Total Marks for GK | 400 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 4 marks in each section |
| Marks for an incorrect answer | -1.33 marks in each section |
| Total Duration of GAT Paper | 2 hours, 30 Minutes |
English (Maximum Marks: 200)
The English language question paper is designed to evaluate candidates’ comprehension and effective use of English. The syllabus includes Grammar, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion.
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
| Spotting Errors | 5 | 20 |
| Comprehension | 6 | 24 |
| Sentence Improvement | 10 | 40 |
| Ordering of Words in a Sentence | 9 | 36 |
| Selecting Words | 10 | 40 |
| Synonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Antonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Total | 50 | 200 |
English Topics For NDA Exam 2024
The NDA syllabus 2024 for English includes various topics such as grammar and its usage, comprehension, and expression. Refer to the table below for a detailed overview of the English topics covered in the exam.
| Topics | Subtopics |
|---|---|
| Grammar and Usage | Parts of speech: Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb, Conjunction, Preposition, and interjection |
| Subject-verb agreement | |
| Tenses: Present, Past, Future | |
| Active and passive voices | |
| Coherence and unity: Theme, Idea, Paragraph, and 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 and 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 GAT Syllabus (Maximum Marks: 400)
This test will consist of 6 sections. Candidates will have to prepare the basics of all these sections for the UPSC NDA 2024 Exam. The sections are as follows:
| NDA GAT Syllabus 2024 | ||
| Physics | Chemistry | General Science |
| History | Geography | Current Affairs |
The question paper on GAT will broadly cover the subjects of physics, chemistry, general science, social studies, geography, and current events.
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
| Physics | 23 | 92 |
| Chemistry | 16 | 64 |
| General Science | 11 | 44 |
| History & Freedom Movement | 16 | 64 |
| Current Affairs | 17 | 68 |
| Geography | 17 | 68 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
Section ‘A’ (Physics)
The questions in the Physics section cover topics such as Mass, Weight, Volume, Pressure, Newton’s Laws of Motion, and more. Below is the complete list of topics from which questions are drawn for the NDA examination.
- Physical Properties and States of Matter
- Mass, Weight, Volume, Density, and Specific Gravity
- Principles of Archimedes
- Pressure and 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
Section ‘B’ (Chemistry)
Questions on elements, mixtures and compounds, acids, bases, and salts, as well as the characteristics of matter, are covered in the Chemistry section of the NDA exam. For a summary of the subjects covered in this section, see the table below.
- 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, and 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
Section ‘C’ (General Science)
Topics like Growth and Reproduction, the Elements of Life, and inquiries about food and a healthy diet are all included in the General Science category. Below are all the topics from the General Science section of the NDA syllabus:
| General Science Syllabus For NDA |
| It starts with the distinction between living and non-living entities and proceeds to examine the building blocks of life, such as cells, protoplasm, and tissues. The distinction between living and non-living entities is covered first, followed by an examination of the components of life, such as cells, protoplasm, and tissues. It covers growth and reproduction in both plants and animals and provides elementary knowledge of the human body and its important organs. The section also discusses common epidemics, their causes, and prevention methods. It examines food as a source of energy for humans, the constituents of food, and the concept of a balanced diet. It also highlights the accomplishments of notable scientists and provides information about celestial bodies in our solar system, including meteors, comets, and eclipses. |
Section ‘D’ (History, Freedom Movement, etc.)
The Questions in this sections are mostly based from history, like Various movements, Indian constitution, Various plans in india, various revolutions, etc. Given below is a list of the complete topics:
| History, Freedom Movement, etc. Syllabus For NDA |
| The General Knowledge part covers the Indian Freedom Movement and provides a general overview of Indian history with an emphasis on culture and civilization. It offers a basic analysis of the Indian Constitution and Government in addition to a synopsis of India’s five-year plans. In addition, Panchayati Raj, cooperatives, community development, and important ideas like Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, national integration, and the welfare state—which includes Mahatma Gandhi’s core teachings—are covered in this part. It also examines the factors that shaped the modern era, including the American War of Independence, the French, Industrial, and Russian Revolutions, as well as the Renaissance and exploration and discovery. There is discussion of the effects of science and technology on society as well as ideas like One World, the United Nations, Democracy, |
Section ‘E’ (Geography)
The questions in this section cover topics such as the origin of the Earth, latitude and longitude, rocks, wind, and cyclones. Refer to the list of topics below for a better understanding of this section.
| Geography Syllabus For NDA |
| A variety of geographic subjects are covered in this part, such as the dimensions and form of the Earth, latitudes and longitudes, and the idea of time. It also discusses the Earth’s origin, its movements, and their effects, as well as the International Date Line. It also covers the classification of rocks, chemical and mechanical weathering, and natural occurrences like volcanoes and earthquakes. Ocean currents and tides are important subjects in oceanography, while its composition, temperature, atmospheric pressure, planetary winds, cyclones, anti-cyclones, humidity, condensation, and precipitation are covered in atmospheric studies. The major natural regions of the world, India’s regional geography, including its climate, natural vegetation, and mineral and energy resources, are all further explored in this section. It also looks at the distribution and location. |
Section ‘F’ (Current Events)
Knowledge of significant events that have occurred in India in recent years, as well as current important global events. Awareness of prominent personalities, both Indian and international, including those associated 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% weights, 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% |
Paper 3: Intelligence and Personality Test
The SSB process comprises two stages: stage I and stage II. Candidates who successfully pass stage I can progress to stage II. Here’s an overview:
Stage I includes:
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT)
- Shortlisting based on combined OIR and PP&DT performance
Stage II includes:
- Interview
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks
- Psychology tests
- Conference
- Conducted over 4 days
- Details are available on joinindianarmy.nic.in
- candidate’s personality is assessed by: the interviewing officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO), and psychologist.
No test has a different weight; instead, points are given based on how well a student performs overall on all tests. Conference marks are decided by the Board and based on initial performance. The purpose of the tests is to evaluate trainability and officer-like qualities. Based on their performance, candidates are categorized as Recommended or Not Recommended.
NDA SSB Syllabus 2024
NDA-SSB Interview consists of two stages:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Screening Test | It involves verbal and non-verbal tests along with Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT). |
| Psychological Test | It consists of Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self-Description Test (SD). |
| Group Testing Officers Test | The assessment includes Group Discussion (GD), Group Planning Exercise (GPE), Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Task (HGT), Individual Obstacles Task (IOT), Command Task, Snake Race or Group Obstacle Race, Individual Lecture, and Final Group Task (FGT). |
| Personal Interview and Conference | The final part of Stage 2 involves individual interviews and a conference. |
NDA OIR Syllabus 2024
The NDA Syllabus 2024 for the OIR Test is given below:
| Verbal Test | Non-Verbal Test |
|---|---|
| Completion of Series | Figures |
| Analogies | Shorter and Taller Problems |
| Blood Relation | Locating Hidden Figure |
| Logical Venn Diagram | Figure Matrix |
| Odd one out | Paper Cutting |
| Jumbled Words | Problem on Dice |
| Classification of Data | Problem on Ranks |
| Coding-Decoding | Problems on Cubes |
| One-word Substitution | Interchanging 2 signs |
| Identification of Letters | Visualizing Patterns |
| Spatial Ability | Reconstruction of Test |
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