NDA Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Question Distribution & Syllabus
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2026 ( NDA )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 is such that it is divided into written exam and SSB Interview. The paper pattern highlights details such as marking scheme, total marks, exam duration, shift timings, etc. The written test carries 900 marks. The total marks allotted to SSB interview are 900. Read NDA exam pattern details below.
- NDA Exam Pattern 2026
- NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for Written Exam
- NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for SSB Interview
- NDA Exam Pattern FAQs
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
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.
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for Written Exam
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 |
|
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NDA Marking Scheme
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 |
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
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.
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 Exam Pattern 2026 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 |
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).
NDA Exam Pattern FAQs
Check NDA exam pattern FAQs below.
Commonly asked questions
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.
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
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
NDA 2 2024 cut off marks are given below.
| Sl.No. | Name of the Wing | Vacancies | Number of Recommended candidates | Minimum qualifying standard at the written stage (out of 900 marks) | Marks secured by last recommended candidate at Final Stage (out of 1800 marks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Army, Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Naval Academy Courses | 208 (including 10 for |
792 |
305 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) |
673 |
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
NDA 1 2025 cut off marks are given below.
| Name of the Wing | Minimum qualifying standard at the written stage (out of 900 marks) | Marks secured by last recommended candidate at Final Stage (out of 1800 marks) |
|---|---|---|
Army, Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Naval Academy Courses | 334 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) | 699 |
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
NDA 2 is hard in terms of difficulty level. It is conducted for candidates who have passed Class 12. The test comprises two papers. The total marks allotted are 900. Selection is done based on the written exam and SSB Interview.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
NDA marks are rounded off up to two decimal digits for all stages. This done by applying the standard rounding off principle,
wherever applicable. While applying the tie-breaking principles, the rounded-off marks upto two decimal digits are considered for resolving all tie cases.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
In case the aggregate final marks are equal then securing more marks in the written exam are placed in higher rank. Candidates securing more marks in Paper 2 (GAT) are placed in higher rank. Age is also given preference while resolving the ties.
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
To be acceptable, candidates for the Army/Navy/Naval Academy and Air Force are required to secure qualifying marks separately in written exam and SSB. Candidates for the Air Force, and all the SSB qualified candidates as per their willingness, eligibility and preference for flying branch of Air For
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 56 mins ago
Here's a forum-style post tailored for the NDA 2 2026 result query:
Waiting for the NDA 2 2026 results can be quite nerve-wracking, especially after months of preparation and anticipation. Many aspirants are anxious to know exactly when the results will be declared and how their efforts translate int
A
Beginner-Level 3
Answered Yesterday
NDA 1 result 2026 will be announced in the third week of April. The result will be made available roll-number and name-wise. Candidates need to secure the qualifying marks in the exam.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
A total of 394 vacancies were announced for NDA 1 2026 exam. The break-up is given below.
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
NDA | Army | 208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
Navy | 42 (including 05 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) | |
Air Force | (i) Flying –92 (including 02 for female candidates) | |
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | - | 24 (including 03 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) |
Total |
| 394 |
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The NDA application form for 2026 will be released on December 10, 2025. Here's a summary of the key dates ¹ ²:
- *NDA 1 Application Form:*
- Release Date: December 10, 2025
- Last Date to Apply: December 30, 2025
- Exam Date: April 12, 2026
- *NDA 2 Application Form:*
- Release Date:
Y
Beginner-Level 1
CTET 2026 Application Form 27 Nov '25 - 18 Dec '25
What was NDA 2 cut off 2024 marks?