NDA 1 Maths Exam Analysis OUT 2026: Check Difficulty Level, Topics asked, Students Review & More

Agnipath scheme is conducted for JCO entry whereas NDA exam is conducted for Officer entry. Agnipath scheme is restricted to the recruitment of soldiers. This is just a four-year scheme. NDA exam is conducted for permanent service commission. Therefore, NDA exam is not affected by Agneepath scheme. NDA exam is conducted by UPSC to select eligible candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy courses. Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the exam. Through NDA exam, candidates are selected as Commissioned Officers in armed forces. The selection process of NDA comprises written exam and SSB interview. The written exam is conducted for 900 marks and SSB interview carries 900 marks. The final merit list is prepared out of 1800. 

There are negative marks for wrong answers in NDA exam. 1/3 of the marks allotted to each question are deducted for the incorrect answer. There is no deduction in marks for unanswered questions. 

UPSC releases the list of test cities along with the notification. Candidates are required to choose one test city as per their preferences while filling the application form. One test city can have multiple exam centres. The details regarding the NDA exam centres are mentioned on the admit card. Candidates need to appear for the exam at the allotted test centre or else their answer scripts are not evaluated. While appearing for the exam, candidates need to carry the printed copy of their admit cards along with one photo-identity proof to the allotted NDA exam centre.

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

It is always advised to follow NCERT books for NDA exam. Candidates must refer to the high school books to clear the concepts of the topics given in the syllabus. 

The difficulty level of NDA Maths paper is usually moderate while GAT was easy. The English Language paper of NDA is usually easy where questions are asked on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. The General Awareness section of NDA is moderate. Candidates need to keep themselves updated with the latest events in India and the world. To ace the exam, candidates need to understand the exam pattern and syllabus, practice mock test, solve previous years' question papers, etc. With hard work and dedication, candidates can crack the exam easily. The total marks allotted to the written exam of NDA are 900. Candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject to qualify the exam. Candidates qualifying the written exam of NDA are called for SSB Interview. 

The cadet's cost of training includes accommodation, boarding, medical treatment books, uniforms, etc. All these costs are borne by the Government. During the training, the personal expenses are borne by family. The private expenses generally account to not more than 3000 per month. Even in cases where the parents are not able to provide the expenses of the cadets, the government provides the financial assistance of  INR 1000 per month for the period of training. The financial assistance is provided to only those candidates whose parents' income is less than INR 21,000 per month. Cadets whose parent's income is more than INR 21,000 per month are not liable for financial assistance.

If the cadet's brother or any cadet who is being provided help by parents and guardians and even he is simultaneously undergoing training at NDA, IMA, OTA, and corresponding training establishment in the Navy and Air Force, then both of them are eligible for financial assistance by the government. Candidates who are finally selected for training at the Academy are required to deposit the following amount.

Out of the total amount, the following amount is refunded to candidates in the event of financial aid being sanctioned to them.