NDA Syllabus 2026 PDF Download – Maths and GAT Syllabus

Welcome to Target Defence Academy, here we have the detailed syllabus for NDA 2026. NDA written examination is divided into two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The boys and girls who are seeking to apply for NDA must begin their preparation for the written exam by following the detailed NDA Syllabus, which has been discussed in this article.

NDA Syllabus 2026

Important Information about the NDA Exam 2026:

Name of the Exam	National Defence Academy (NDA)
Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission, UPSC.
Frequency Of Exam	Twice a year
Selection Process	Written Test consisting of Objective Type Questions Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB)
Mode of exam	Offline
Papers in NDA Exam	Mathematics & General Ability Test
Marks Segregation	Mathematics: 300 Marks, GAT: 600 Marks
Total No. of Questions	Mathematics: 120, GAT: 150
Negative Marking	Mathematics: -0.83, GAT: -1.33 marks
Exam Duration	2.5 Hours For Each Paper (5 hours total)
Language of Question Paper	English & Hindi English Language paper has to be attempted in English.

NDA Exam Pattern:

Maths Test Exam Pattern (Paper-1):

Paper I- Mathematics
Total Marks	300 Marks
Total No. of Questions	120
Marks awarded for Correct answer	2.5 marks
Marks deducted for the wrong answer	-0.83
Exam Duration	2.5 Hours

General Ability Test (GAT) Exam Pattern (Paper-2):

Paper-II- General Ability Test
Total Marks	600 marks
Total No. of Questions	150
No. of questions in English Section	50
No. Of questions in General Knowledge Section	100
Maximum Marks for English	200 marks
Maximum Marks for G.K.	400 marks
Marks for Correct Answer	4 marks in both sections
Marks for Incorrect Answer	-1.33 marks in both sections
Exam Duration	2.5 Hours

NDA Detailed Syllabus in PDF: Download Now

After getting to know the NDA Exam Pattern, the candidates need to know the Syllabus of the NDA Exam. The NDA Syllabus is discussed below.

NDA Maths Syllabus:

The chapters covered for the NDA Maths Syllabus are given in the table below.

Chapter	Topics
Algebra	Types of matrices, operations on matrices. Determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants. Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix, Applications- Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by Cramer’s rule and by Matrix Method.
Matrices and Determinants	Types of matrices, operations on matrices. Determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants. Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix, Applications-Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by Cramer’s rule and by Matrix Method.
Differential Calculus	Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios. Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications: Height and distance, properties of triangles.
Integral Calculus and Differential Equations	Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions
Trigonometry	Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios. Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications-Height and distance, properties of triangles.
Vector Algebra	Vectors in two and three dimensions, magnitude, and direction of a vector. Unit and null vectors, the addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar product, or dot product of two vectors. Vector product or cross product of two vectors. Applications—work done by a force and moment of a force and in geometrical problems.
Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions	Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system. Distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms. The angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. In a three-dimensional space, the distance between two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of a plane and a line in various forms. The angle between two lines and the angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere.
Statistics	Probability: Random experiment, outcomes and associated sample space, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, impossible and certain events. Union and Intersection of events. Complementary, elementary and composite events. Definition of probability – classical and statistical – examples. Elementary theorems on probability – simple problems. Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem – simple problems. Random variable as a function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binomial distribution.
Probability	Probability: Random experiment, outcomes and associated sample space, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, impossible and certain events. Union and Intersection of events. Complementary, elementary and composite events. Definition of probability – classical and statistical – examples. Elementary theorems on probability – simple problems. Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem – simple problems. Random variable as a function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binomial distribution.

The topic-wise question distribution in Maths

Topic	Questions
Calculus	20-25
Quadratic equation	20-15
Geometry, Matrices & Determinants	30
Statistics & Probability	10
Trigonometry	30
Complex number	10-15

NDA GAT (General Ability Test) Syllabus:

The General Ability Test comprises two parts: English and General Knowledge. The English part consists of 200 Marks while the General Knowledge is of 400 Marks.

NDA Syllabus- English:

The English question paper will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English. The syllabus covers various aspects as given below:

Topic	No. of Questions	No. of Marks
Spotting Errors	5	20
Comprehension	6	24
Selecting Words	10	40
Ordering of Words in a Sentence	9	36
Sentence Improvement	10	40
Antonyms	5	20
Synonyms	5	20
Total	50	200

NDA Syllabus- General Knowledge:

Check the topic-wise number of questions and mark distribution in the table below.

Topic	No. of Questions	No. of Marks
Physics	23	92
Chemistry	16	64
General Science	11	44
History & Freedom Movement	16	64
Geography	17	68
Current Events	17	68
Total	100	400

NDA Syllabus- Physics:

NDA Syllabus For Physics

Physical Properties and States of Matter, Modes of transference of Heat, Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties. Simple musical instruments, Rectilinear propagation of Light, Density and Specific Gravity, Reflection and refraction. Principle of Archimedes, Spherical Mirrors and Lenses. Pressure, Barometer, Human Eye, Motion of Objects, Natural and Artificial Magnets. Velocity and Acceleration, Properties of a Magnet, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Earth as a Magnet. Force and Momentum, Static and Current Electricity, Parallelogram of Forces, Conductors and Non-conductors, Stability and Equilibrium of bodies. Ohm’s Law, Gravitation, Simple Electrical Circuits, Elementary ideas of work Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current Power and Energy Measurement of Electrical Power Effects of Heat Primary and Secondary Cells Measurement of Temperature and Heat Use of X-Rays General Principles in the working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightning Conductors, Safety Fuses.

NDA Syllabus- Chemistry:

NDA Syllabus For Chemistry

Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction. Acids, bases and salts. Carbon- different forms Physical and Chemical Changes Fertilizers-Natural and Artificial Elements Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gunpowder Mixtures and Compounds Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom Symbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical Equation Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems) Valency Properties of Air and Water

NDA Syllabus- General Science:

NDA Syllabus For General Science

Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention. Difference between the living and non-living Food—Source of Energy for man Basis of Life-Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues Constituents of food Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals. Balanced Diet. Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs, The Solar System-Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists

NDA Syllabus- History, Freedom Movement:

NDA Syllabus For History

Forces shaping the modern world; Renaissance Exploration and Discovery; A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation Freedom Movement in India French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution War of American Independence, Impact of Science and Technology on Society Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration Concept of one World Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India United Nations, Panchsheel, Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism and Communism Role of India in the present world Co-operatives and Community Development Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi

NDA Syllabus- Geography:

NDA Syllabus For Geography

The Earth, its shape and size Ocean Currents and Tides. The atmosphere and its composition Latitudes and Longitudes Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones. Humidity, Condensation and Precipitation Concept of time Types of Climate International Date Line Major Natural Regions of the World Movements of Earth and their effects Regional Geography of India Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources. Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities, Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification. Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India Weathering-Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes Main items of Imports and Exports of India

Current Affairs:

NDA Syllabus For Current Events

Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years Prominent personalities of both Indian and International level, Cultural activities and sports activities, and Current important world events.

SSB (Intelligence and Personality Test)

The SSB procedure consists of two stages. Only those candidates who clear the written exam are permitted to appear for SSB round. The details of SSB exam are given below:

Stage I	Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT).
Stage II	Interview (IO) Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO) Psychology Tests (Psych) Conference