Is NDA exam tough to crack?

NDA exam is highly competitive. Candidates can crack the exam with proper preparation and practice.

What type of questions are asked in NDA exam?

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.

What questions are asked in NDA exam?

Check NDA syllabus below. Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability. GAT: Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion, Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

How many questions are asked in NDA exam?

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.

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.

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.

What is the duration of the NDA written exam?

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).

What is NDA marking scheme?

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.

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.

How many questions are asked in the NDA written exam?

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.

What is the maximum number of attempts allowed for NDA exam?

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.

How is in NDA final merit list prepared?

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.

How are candidates assessed in NDA SSB Interview?

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).

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.

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.

What is the syllabus of NDA Mathematics section?

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 2026: Marking Scheme, Question Distribution & Syllabus

2.1K Students Q&A

Registration - 20 May '26 - 9 Jun '26

Updated on Mar 18, 2026 12:48 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

NDA Exam Pattern 2026: The Union Public Service Commission released the the exam pattern for the NDA exam for both written and SSB interview. Candidates who want to appear for the NDA exam and have registered themselves will be able to sit in the writtent exam. 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 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.

Table of contents

NDA Exam Pattern 2026
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for Written Exam
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for SSB Interview
NDA Syllabus 2026
NDA Exam Pattern FAQs

NDA Exam Pattern 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:

NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for Written Exam

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

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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

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Prepare for JEE Main Entrance Exam with Question Papers, Syllabus, Pattern and Preparation Tips

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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

NDA Syllabus 2026

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.