NDA Exam Pattern 2026: Marking Scheme, Question Distribution & Syllabus
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2026 ( NDA )
Exam On - 12 Apr '26
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 |
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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 |
|
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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
NDA exam is highly competitive. Candidates can crack the exam with proper preparation and practice.
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
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|---|---|---|
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