What is the difference between NDA 1 and 2 exams?

There is no difference between UPSC NDA 1 and 2 exams. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the January batch. Whereas, NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to July batch. National Defence Academy or NDA exam is conducted twice a year by Union Public Service Commission for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). It is the most sought-after defence entrance exams in the country where both male and female candidates can apply. The exam is conducted in two stages: written exam and SSB Interview. In 2020, a total of 5.3 Lacs candidates had applied for the exam, out of which 2.4 Lacs candidates appeared for the exam. UPSC prepares a list of candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Such candidates are called for SSB Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test. Also Read: Know the difference between NDA & NA I and II Exams

Is NDA exam conducted every year?

NDA exam is conducted every year twice in a year. The exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy courses. The selection process comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The SSB interview carries 900 marks.

What are the passing marks in NDA?

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.

Is NDA exam conducted in both English and Hindi?

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.

What is a good score in NDA Exam?

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.

Are NDA and CDS syllabus same?

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.

Where can I find NDA syllabus PDF?

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.

NDA 2026 Preparation Tips, How to Prepare for NDA Entrance Exam

NDA 2 2026 application

20 May '26 - 9 Jun '26

Updated on May 12, 2026 00:20 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

Overview

NDA Preparation is crucial to crack the exam.Go thorough the exam pattern. Solve the previous years question papers to know the important topics. Practice mock test to understand the actual test and to improve the speed and accuracy of solving questions.

The total marks allotted to NDA exam are 900. The tandard of NDA syllabus is of high school level. Candidates need conceptual clarity to solve the questions. In this article, we have provided some useful tips for NDA preparation 2026.

Also Read: NDA Topper Success Story

Table of contents

NDA Preparation Tips
NDA Syllabus
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
NDA Preparation Tips 2026 FAQs

NDA Preparation Tips

NDA exam is a prominent examination among students who want to join Indian Defence Forces. NDA is the gateway for candidates who wish to join the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. It is not a cakewalk to get through NDA and SSB. Making a smart study plan is effective for a better preparation strategy. First, candidates should clear their basic concepts. They should not forget to practice the NDA last year question papers. Revise the topics given in the syllabus as much as you can.

It is also important to understand the exam pattern. Concepts should be clear. Candidate should make proper strategy and should not forget to practice previous year question papers. Frequent revision also plays an important role. Practice Mock test which will help in improving the speed and accuracy of solving the questions. Clear your basics by referring to the high school books.

Also Read:

NDA Exam Pattern

NDA Syllabus

NDA syllabus is prescribed by UPSC. The standard of the syllabus is of Class 9, 10, 11 and 12 levels. The Syllabus is divided in to two parts namely Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks). Candidates should be well versed with the class 9, 10, 11 and 12 standard syllabus and study all the topics wisely. After clearing the written exam, candidates need to take the SSB interview. The duration of the exam is 2.5 hours.

Candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus. Given below is the syllabus for NDA.

NDA Math Syllabus consists of topics that candidates had studied in their high school like Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability, Algebra, etc.
NDA English syllabus consists Vocabulary, Comprehension, Cohesion, Preposition, etc.
NDA General Knowledge syllabus carries topics such as Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

NDA Exam Pattern 2026

NDA exam pattern is divided into written exam and SSB Interview. The total marks allotted to the test are 900. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB Interview. There are also negative marks for wrong answers.

Also Read: NDA Books

NDA Preparation Tips 2026 FAQs

Candidates can check below NDA preparation tips FAQs.

Q: How many hours should be given to study for NDA?

Candidates should study for two to three hours. Practice previous year question paper. Candidates must know the syllabus and exam pattern. They should prepare study routine. Candidates must also solve mock test to improve speed.

Q: How do I use previous years' question papers to prepare for NDA?

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

Q: What are the important topics for NDA General Knowledge?

Questions in this section of NDA exam are asked from General Science, Indian history, Physics Geography, Chemistry and Current Events. Candidates must read the newspapers and watch news channels to know about the national and international events. Candidates must refer to the six months Current Affairs for NDA exam.

Q: How much time is required for NDA Exam Preparation?

NDA preparation requires one year to six months. Candidates must focus on all subjects and topics relevant to the exam. They should attempt mock tests. Candidates must know the exam pattern and syllabus. They should also solve the previous years question papers.

Q: How to prepare for NDA exam in three months?

Candidates must prepare a proper study plan for NDA exam. Besides, they must solve previous years question papers. Attempt mock tests to know the strong and weak areas.To crack the exam, the preparation should be good.

Q: Are NCERT books enough for NDA exams?

NDA exam consists of questions that are of Class 12 standard. To clear the basic concepts, NCERT books are the best resource for preparation. Candidates can refer to the NCERT books for Class 10, 11 and 12.

Q: Which books are best for NDA Maths?

Quantitative Aptitude for competitive examinations and Mathematics for NDA/NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy by RS Aggarwal are best for NDA Maths. NDA Maths syllabus cover topics such as Algebra Calculus, Matrices and Determinants Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Trigonometry Vector Algebra Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability. He best books for NDA Maths are given below: Quantitative Aptitude for competitive examinations by RS Aggarwal Mathematics for NDA/NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy by RS Aggarwal.

Q: What is the purpose of the NDA syllabus?

NDA syllabus is prescribed by the examination authority. The syllabus comprises the topics that candidates need to prepare for the exam. The first and foremost step towards preparation is going through the syllabus. Knowing the syllabus helps candidates to plan a strategy to ace the exam, thereby, giving them the right direction for preparation. NDA syllabus has two sections for the written exam, General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics. GAT aims to test the candidate's basic knowledge of History, GK, Current Affairs of National and International Events, English, Science, and Geography. On the other hand, the Mathematics paper of NDA comprises questions based on Class 12. The GAT paper holds the maximum weightage in the syllabus.