Applicants should pass National Defence Academy (NDA) exam to join the Indian Army. It is necessary to understand primary concepts, branding and exam design for effective preparation. Let’s go right into the hints of the NDA exam pattern in 2025.
1. NDA Exam Overview
The Union Public Service Commission administers the NDA exam twice a year (UPSC). It comprises two stages:
- Written examination: Mathematics and general capacity test (GAT).
- Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview: Evaluate the candidates’ personality and intelligence.
2. NDA Written Examination Pattern
Mathematics Paper
- Total Questions: 120
- Total Marks: 300
- Marks per Question: 2.5
- -0.83 is the negative marking for each wrong response.
- Time duration: Two and a half hours
General Ability Test (GAT)
- Total Questions: 150
- Total Marks: 600
- Marks per Question: 4
- For every wrong response, the score is -1.33.
- Time duration: Two and a half hours
Note: GAT is divided into two parts:
- Part A (English): 50 questions total of 200 marks
- Part B (GK): 100 questions total of 400 marks

3. Subject-Wise Topics
Mathematics
- Algebra
- Matrices and Determinants
- Trigonometry
- Analytical Geometry
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus
- Vector Algebra
- Statistics and Probability
General Ability Test
Part A: English
- Grammar and Usage
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Cohesion in Extended Text
Part B: General Knowledge
- Physics
- Chemistry
- General Science
- History
- Geography
- Current Events
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4. SSB Interview Process
Candidates who qualify the written examination will be invited for SSB interview, which is conducted in two stages:
Stage I: Screening Test
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
- Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT)
Stage II: Psychological Tests and Group Tasks
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
- Word Association Test (WAT)
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
- Self-Description Test (SD)
- Group Discussion
- Group Planning Exercise
- Progressive Group Task
- Half Group Task
- Individual Obstacles
- Command Task
- Final Group Task
- Personal Interview
5. Effective Preparation Strategies
- Understand the course: Familiarise yourself with a wide courses and focus on the main themes.
- Create a curriculum: Assign specific time speeches for each subject and follow the schedule.
- Practice regularly: Solve previous years’ question papers and take a mock test to create self-confidence.
- Focus on weak areas: Identify and work with subjects or subjects where you have difficulties.
- Keep updated: Read the newspaper and follow the current events to increase your general knowledge.
- Maintain physical shape: SSB is related to regular physical activities to prepare for an interview.
Conclusion
Intensive understanding of the NDA exam pattern 2025, including marking and professional subjects, is necessary for ambitions aimed at joining the Indian armed forces. With dedicated preparation and a strategic plan, candidates can increase the possibility of success in the NDA exam.
FAQs about NDA Exam Pattern
Ans. NDA -Scriptive examination includes two articles, every 2.5 hours, for a total of 5 hours.
Ans. Yes, there is negative labelling. For mathematics, 0.83 marks are cut for each wrong answer, and for GAT, 1.33 points are cut.
Ans. GAT paper is divided into two parts: English (200 digits) and general knowledge (400 digits), a total of 600 brands.
Ans. Master’s subjects include algebra, trigonometry, calculus, matrices, determinants and data.
Ans. Preparation includes improvement of communication skills, participation in group discussion, physical fitness and practising psychological tests.