NDA Syllabus 2026, Exam Pattern, Exam Date 2026
Detail Information about NDA (National Defence Academy) has published notification 2026 for the recruitment of UPSC NDA & NA vacancies. Those Candidates who are Interested to the following vacancy and completed all Eligibility Criteria can read the Notification & Apply Online. In this page we provide the Complete Syllabus of this Recruitment with Latest Update Exam Pattern and the Exam Date also.
NDA Exam Highlights 2026
| Exam Name |
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) |
| Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission |
| No. of Post |
394 |
| Exam Type |
National Level |
| Category |
Syllabus and Exam Pattern |
| NDA 2 Exam Date 2026 |
13th September 2026 |
| Exam Mode |
Offline |
| Number of cities for exam centres |
41 |
| Exam helpdesk |
011-23385271/011-23381125/011- 23098543 |
| Official Website |
https://www.upsc.gov.in/ |
NDA Exam Syllabus 2026
Paper-1 : Mathematics :
Algebra :
1. Concept of set
2. operations on sets
3. Venn diagrams
4. De Morgan laws
5. Cartesian product
6. relation
7. equivalence relation
8. Representation of real numbers on a line
9. Complex numbers—basic properties
10. modulus, argument
11. cube roots of unity
12. Binary system of numbers
13. Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system and vice-versa
14. Arithmetic
15. Geometric and Harmonic progressions
16. Quadratic equations with real coefficients
17. Solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs
18. Permutation and Combination
19. Binomial theorem and its applications
20. Logarithms and their applications
Matrices and Determinants :
1. Types of matrices, Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix
2. operations on matrices.basic properties of determinants
3. Determinant of a matrix
4. Applications-Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by Cramer’s rule and by Matrix Method
Trigonometry :
1. Angles and their measures in degrees and in radians
2. Trigonometrical ratios
3. Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae
4. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles
5. Inverse trigonometric functions
6. Applications-Height and distance
7. properties of triangles
Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions :
1. Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system
2. Distance formula.Direction Cosines and direction ratios
3. Equation of a line in various forms
4. Angle between two lines
5. Distance of a point from a line
6. Equation of a circle in standard and in general form
7. Standard forms of parabola,Equation of a sphere
8. ellipse and hyperbola.Equation two points
9. Eccentricity and axis of a conic
10. Point in a three dimensional space
11. distance between two points
12. Direction Cosines and direction ratios
15. Equation of a plane and a line in various forms
16. Angle between two lines and angle between two planes
Differential Calculus :
1. Concept of a real valued function–domain
2. range and graph of a function
3. Composite functions, Derivatives of sum
4. one to one, Increasing and decreasing functions
5. onto and inverse functions
6. Notion of limit, Second order derivatives
7. Standard limits—examples
8. Continuity of functions - examples
9. algebraic operations on continuous functions
10. Derivative of function at a point
11. geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative-application
12. derivative of a function with respect to another function
13. product and quotient of functions
15. derivative of a composite function
16. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima
Integral Calculus and Differential Equations :
1. Integration as inverse of differentiation
2. integration by substitution and by parts
3. standard integrals involving algebraic expressions
4. trigonometric, Application in problems of growth and decay
5. exponential and hyperbolic functions
6. Evaluation of definite integrals—determination of areas of plane regions bounded by curves—applications
7. Definition of order and degree of a differential equation
8. formation of a differential equation by examples
9. General and particular solution of a differential equations
10. solution of first order and first degree differential equations of various types—examples
Vector Algebra :
1. Vectors in two and three dimensions
2. magnitude and direction of a vector
3. Unit and null vectors, addition of vectors
4. Applications—work done by a force and moment of a force and in geometrical problems.
5. scalar multiplication of a vector
6. scalar product or dot product of two vectors
7. Vector product or cross product of two vectors
Statistics and Probability :
1. Statistics: Classification of data
2. Frequency distribution, Conditional probability
3. cumulative frequency distribution - examples
4. Graphical representation - Histogram
5. Pie Chart, frequency polygon—examples. Measures of Central tendency— Mean, median and mode
6. Variance and standard deviation determination and comparison
7. Correlation and regression. Probability: Random experiment
8. outcomes and associated sample space, events
9. mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, impossible and certain events
10. Union and Intersection of events. Complementary
11. elementary and composite events. Definition of probability—classical and statistical—examples
12. Elementary theorems on probability—simple problems
13. Bayes’ theorem—simple problems. Random variable as function on a sample space
14. Binomial distribution
15. examples of random experiments giving rise to Binominal distribution
Paper-2 : General Ability Test :-
English :
1. Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension
General Knowledge :
Physics :
1. Physical Properties and States of Matter
2. Mass, Weight, Volume
3. Density and Specific Gravity, Principle of Archimedes
4. Pressure Barometer. Motion of objects
5. Velocity and Acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion
6. Force and Momentum, Parallelogram of Forces
7. Stability and Equilibrium of bodies, Gravitation
8. elementary ideas of work, Power and Energy
9. Effects of Heat, Measurement of Temperature and Heat
10. change of State and Latent Heat, Modes of transference of Heat
11. Sound waves and their properties, Simple musical instruments
12. Rectilinear propagation of Light, Reflection and refraction
13. Spherical mirrors and Lenses, Human Eye
14. Natural and Artificial Magnets, Properties of a Magnet
15. Earth as a Magnet.Static and Current Electricity
16. conductors and Non-conductors, Ohm’s Law
17. Simple Electrical Circuits, Heating
18. Lighting and Magnetic effects of Current
19. Measurement of Electrical Power
20. Primary and Secondary Cells, Use of X-Rays
21. General Principles in the working of the following
22. Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon
23. Levers, Balloon,Pumps, Hydrometer
24. Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone
25. Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope
26. Microscope, Mariner’s Compass
27. Lightening Conductors, Safety Fuses
Chemistry :
1. Physical and Chemical changes
2. Elements, Carbon - different forms
3. Mixtures and Compounds
4. Symbols, Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial
5. Formulae and simple Chemical Equations
6. Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems)
7. Properties of Air and Water
8. Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen
9. Oxygen,Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement
10. Nitrogen and Carbondioxide
11. Oxidation and Reduction
12. Acids, bases and salts
13. Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap
14. Paints, Safety Matches and Gun-Powder
15. Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom, Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Valency
General Science :
1. Difference between the living and non-living. Basis of Life—Cells
2. Protoplasms and Tissues. Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals
3. Elementary knowledge of Human Body and its important organs
4. Common Epidemics, their causes and prevention
5. Food—Source of Energy for man. Constituents of food
6. Balanced Diet. The Solar System—Meteors and Comets Eclipses
7. Achievements of Eminent Scientists
History Freedom Movement :
1. A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation
2. Freedom Movement in India. Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration
3. Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India
4. Panchayati Raj, Co-operatives and Community Development
5. Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State
6. Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.Exploration and Discovery
7. Forces shaping the modern world; Renaissance
8. War of American Independence. French Revolution
9. Industrial Revolution and Russian Revolution
10. Impact of Science and Technology on Society
11. Concept of one World, United Nations, Panchsheel
12. Democracy, Socialism and Communism. Role of India in the present world
Geography :
1. The Earth, its shape and size. Lattitudes and Longitudes
2. Concept of time. International Date Line
3. Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification
4. Weathering-Mechanical and Chemical
5. Earthquakes and Volcanoes.Movements of Earth and their effects
6. Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition
7. Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure
8. Planetary Winds, Cyclones and Anti-cyclones
9. Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation
10. Types of Climate, Major Natural regions of the World
11. Regional Geography of India—Climate, Natural vegetation
12. Mineral and Power resources
13. location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities
14. Important Sea ports and main sea
15. land and air routes of India. Main items of Imports and Exports of India
Current Events :
1. Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in the recent years
2. Current important world events
3. Prominent personalities—both Indian and International including those connected with cultural activities and sports
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
1. The questions will be asked in bilingual languages (English & Hindi)
2. The questions will be in MCQs
3. The exam will be conducted in an offline mode
4. There will be a negative marking of 0.83 marks for Maths, 1.33 for English, and 1.33 marks for GK
| Paper |
Subject |
No. of Question |
Marks |
Duration |
| Paper -1 |
Mathematics |
120 |
300 |
150 Minutes |
| Paper - II |
General Ability Test (English 50 & General Knowledge 100) |
150 |
600 |
150 Minutes |
| |
Total |
270 |
900 |
|
Intelligence and Personality Test
The SSB procedure consists of two stage Selection process - stage I and stage II.
Only those candidates who clear the stage I are permitted to appear for stage II. The details are :
(a) Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT.
(b) Stage II Comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days. The details of these tests are given on the website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.
The personality of a candidate is assessed by three different assessors viz. The Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist. There are no separate weightage for each test. The marks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate holistically in all the tests. In addition, marks for Conference are also allotted based on the initial performance of the Candidate in the three techniques and decision of the Board. All these have equal weightage.
The various tests of IO, GTO and Psych are designed to bring out the presence/absence of Officer Like Qualities and their trainability in a candidate. Accordingly candidates are Recommended or Not Recommended at the SSB.
UPSC NDA 2 Exam Date 2026 : 13th September 2026
Starting Date of Application Form NDA 2 : 20th May 2026
Last Date of Application Form NDA 2 : 09th June 2026
Total Post : 394
