NDA Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Question Distribution & Syllabus
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2026 ( NDA )
NDA 2 2026 Exam
13 Sep '26
NDA Exam Pattern 2026: The Union Public Service Commission released the the exam pattern for the NDA 2 exam for both written and SSB interview. Candidates who will qualify the NDA 2026 exam will give SSB interview. The NDA written exam consists of two subjects namely Maths and GAT. There is a negative marking in the UPSC NDA exam and total marks allotted are 900.
The NDA exam pattern is very crucial for the candidates to understand as it provides the overall structure of an exam. It highlights marking scheme, total marks, duration of an exam, shift timings, etc. Scroll down for more information about the NDA exam pattern.
- NDA Exam Pattern Highlights 2026
- NDA Exam Pattern Subject-Wise weightage 2026
- NDA Total Marks and Marking Scheme 2026
- NDA Exam Sections and Important Topics 2026
- NDA Exam Pattern FAQs 2026
NDA Exam Pattern Highlights 2026
The NDA exam is conducted twice every year in April and September. The mode of an exam is offline. Candidates who will clear the written exam will be called for the SSB interview. Knowing the exam pattern is necessary for the exam. It helps to know the structure of the paper. Candidates can check below a few important highlights related to the NDA exam pattern.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode |
Offline |
| Number of papers |
GAT and Mathematics |
| Duration of test |
GAT: 2 ½ hours Mathematics: 2 ½ hours |
| Exam time |
GAT: 10 am to 12.30 pm Mathematics: 2 pm to 4.30 pm |
| Number of questions |
GAT: 150 Mathematics: 120 |
| Language of question paper |
English and Hindi |
| Total marks |
Written Exam: 900 (600 for GAT and 300 for Mathematics) SSB Interview: 900 |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Candidates are required to score a minimum of around 25 per cent marks in each subject to clear the NDA written exam. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. Besides the subject-wise cut off marks, the examination authority also decides overall cut off marks for different defence services. Candidates are required to secure both section-wise and overall cut off marks. To be in the final merit list, candidates are required to secure separate qualifying marks in the written exam and SSB interview.
The total marks for the NDA exam is 1800 that is 900 for written exam and 900 for SSB interview. A score between 400 to 500 is considered secure in the written exam to get into the final merit list. Also, candidates need to pass in each subject minimum of 25% marks. There is no sectional-cut off.
The NDA written exam duration is five hours. It is divided into two papers. Both the papers are of two and half hours duration each and are conducted on the same day in two shifts including Mathes and the General Ability Test (GAT).
NDA Exam Pattern Subject-Wise weightage 2026
Candidates should have clear understanding about the NDA exam pattern. As it helps in the preparation. The structure of the NDA exam pattern for the written exam is given below.
| Papers | Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 |
Mathematics |
300 |
2 ½ |
| Paper 2 |
GAT |
600 |
2 ½ |
| Total |
900 |
5 hours |
|
Also Read:
NDA Maths Exam Pattern
The Maths paper of NDA carries 120 questions. The Maths section carries a total of 300 marks. Questions are asked from Arithmetic, Mensuration, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, Matrices and Determinants.
NDA GAT Exam Pattern
The GAT section carries 150 questions for 600 marks. The GAT section of NDA question paper carries questions from English and General Knowledge. For the English section, candidates must focus on Grammar, Comprehension, and Reading Abilities. In General Knowledge, candidates should focus on Current Affairs, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, etc.Candidates can check below the distribution of questions in the GAT paper.
| Sections | Maximum marks | |
|---|---|---|
| Part A - English |
200 |
|
| Part B - General Knowledge |
Physics |
100 |
|
|
Chemistry |
60 |
| General Science |
40 |
|
| History, Freedom Movement, etc. |
80 |
|
| Geography |
80 |
|
| Current Events |
40 |
|
| Total |
600 |
|
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for SSB Interview
The SSB Interview is a five day selection process. It will assesses the candidates leadership skills, physical stamina and also the suitability for a career in the armed forces. As we know, those candidates who will qualify the written exam will be called for SSB interview. Students can check the pattern of the SSB Interview.
| 1 |
Screening Test |
| 2 |
Psychological Test |
| Group Testing Officers Test |
|
| Personal Interview |
|
| Conference |
Related Links:
Commonly asked questions
NDA marking scheme is prescribed by UPSC. Candidates for correct answers are given 2.5 marks in Maths. 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Four marks are given for correct answers in GAT. 1.33 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Total marks allotted to the written exam are 900.
In the written exam of NDA, Maths paper has 120 questions and the General Ability Test has 150 questions. Therefore, total questions asked are 270.
NDA question paper is framed in both English and Hindi. The written exam is conducted for 900 marks. The test carries two papers-Maths and GAT. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview.
NDA Total Marks and Marking Scheme 2026
There are NDA negative markings for incorrect answers, 1/3 of the marks allotted to each question are deducted for the incorrect answer. There is no deduction in marks for unanswered questions.
| Subject | NDA Negative Marking |
|---|---|
| GAT | -1.33 |
| Maths | -0.83 |
Candidates can check below the marking scheme as well as the number of questions.
| Total Marks |
300 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions |
120 |
| Correct Answer |
2.5 marks |
| Marks deducted for the wrong answer |
- 0.83 |
| Total duration of Mathematics Paper |
2 Hours 30 Minutes |
The NDA SSB interview consists of two distinct stages namely Stage I and Stage II. The intelligence and personality test and a group interview. On the basis of this, candidates are shortlisted for admission to NDA. SSB Interview is conducted in two stages.
NDA Exam Duration
NDA exam duration is 5 hours, each paper is held for 2 ½ hours. NDA shift timings are given below.
| Shift | NDA Exam Timing |
|---|---|
| Morning | 10.00 am to 12:30 pm |
| Afternoon | 2.00 pm to 4:30 pm |
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Candidates can apply for the exam within their age. The educational qualification is Class 12 pass. The eligibility is prescribed by the examination authority for candidates. Applications are accepted only who satisfies the eligibility.
Candidates are judged based on their Psychological Aptitude and Intelligence in the SSB Interview of NDA exam. The Ministry of Defence establishes NDA SSB (Service Selection Board). NDA SSB is the body that schedule, organise and conduct SSB interview for the aspirants applying for Indian Military Forces. SSB Interview is conducted at the NDA SSB Centres. The NDA SSB interview is conducted for Intelligence and Personality Test. Aspirants applying for the Air Force have to separately qualify for the CPSS (Computerized Pilot Selection System) & PABT (Pilot Aptitude Battery Test).
The NDA final merit list is prepared based on the cumulative marks of both written exam (900) and SSB interview (900) which totals at 1800 marks.
NDA Exam Sections and Important Topics 2026
The NDA exam consists of two written papers namely Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test or GAT (600 marks). Multiple choice questions are asked in the examination. The standard of the National Defence Academy exam syllabus is of Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 standards. The same is given below.
- Math-Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability, Algebra, etc.
- English- Vocabulary, Comprehension, Cohesion, Preposition, etc.
- General Knowledge-Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.
NDA 2026: Maths Important Topics to revise
Candidates can check below some of the important topics in Mathematics that will help in the preparation.
- Probability
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Calculus
- Vector & 3D
- Matrices & Determinants
- Coordinate Geometry
- Statistics
- Sets
- Relations & Functions, etc.
NDA 2026: GAT Important Topics to revise
English: Candidates can focus on grammar, vocabulary, etc.
Some more topics to prepare are finding mistakes, synonyms, antonyms, idioms & phrases, making sentences, etc.
General Knowledge: Some of the important topics that candidates can focus and also help in their preparation:
Electricity, Optics, Work, Power, Energy, Laws of Motion, Acids and Bases, Elements and Compounds, Changes in Matter, human body, food, nutrition, Indian Freedom Movement, Earths' Crust, Climate, Resources, current affairs, etc.
Commonly asked questions
NDA exam is conducted for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Course. CDS exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).
The level of NDA syllabus is of Class 10, 11 and 12 levels. Whereas the standard of CDS syllabus is of graduation level. NDA syllabus is divided into Maths and GAT. CDS syllabus is divided into Elementary Maths, English and General Awareness. The total marks allotted to the NDA written exam are 900. The total marks allotted to the written exam of CDS are 300 for IMA, INA and AFA and 200 for OTA.
NDA syllabus PDF is divided into Maths and GAT. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The standard of the syllabus is of Classes 10, 11 and 12 levels. Candidates should be thorough with the syllabus.
The Mathematics syllabus of NDA written exam consists of Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Statistics and Probability that is all base on 10+2 level.
NDA Exam Pattern FAQs 2026
Check NDA exam pattern FAQs below.
NDA question papers are released on the exam day. We have provided the previous years question papers on this page. To download NDA question papers for free, candidates need to create their profiles with us. Once it is done, candidates can download question papers pdfs.
NDA exam is highly competitive. Candidates can crack the exam with proper preparation and practice.
The pyschological tests in NDA SSB interview comprises the following:
- Thematic Apperception Test
- Word Association Test
- Situation Reaction Test
- Self Description Test
GAT paper of NDA comprises a total of 150 questions. The GAT section is divided into two parts. Part A comprises English while Part B consists of General Knowledge. The number of questions in the Maths section of NDA exam is 120. Questions in the Maths section are asked from Algebra Calculus, Matrices and Determinants Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Trigonometry Vector Algebra Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability. NDA question papers are framed in both English and Hindi by the examination authority.
Cracking SSB Interview is not easy task. The difficulty level is high and candidates must have sound knowledge of their subjects to clear the interview. The best books for SSB Interview are given below: SSB Interview: The Complete Guide by Dr N. K. Natarajan SSB OIR & PPDT: Complete Guide to Stage 1 SSB Interview by DDE.
NDA exam is conducted twice a year. The exam written test and SSB interview. The test comprises Maths and GAT. The difficulty level of the NDA exam is usually moderate. Candidates can crack the exam with good preparation.
NDA exam consists of two papers- Maths and GAT. Total marks allotted to the The following tips help candidates to prepare for NDA exam.
Understand the exam
Know the syllabus
Solve the previous years question papers
Prepare a timetable
Follow the study routine
Attempt mock tests
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13 Sep '26
NDA Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
Yes, you can give the NDA exam as you have qualified the Class 12 exam. As per the age requirement candidates age should lie between 16.5 to 19.5 years to apply for the NDA exam. However, go through the eligibility criteria properly once before applying for the exam.
S
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I am 18 years old (DOB: 26 Oct 2007) and passed Class 12 with 83%. Am I eligible to apply for the NDA exam?