NDA Syllabus 2023 and Exam Pattern for NDA 1 & 2 Exam

NDA Syllabus 2023- National Defence Academy (NDA) is the Joint Services academy of the Indian Armed Forces. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam every year. NDA is a national-level exam conducted twice a year. This is one of the most sought-after defence jobs in India to join the Defence Forces as an Officer by male candidates. The selection of eligible males & females into NDA will be done on the basis of the written test followed by the Personality Test. 

NDA Syllabus 2023

NDA written examination is divided into two papers namely Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The boys and girls who are seeking to apply for NDA 2023 must begin their preparation for the written exam by following the detailed NDA Syllabus 2023 which has been discussed in this article. The NDA 1 and NDA 2 Exam is to be conducted in offline mode.

NDA Syllabus 2023- Overview

Check the important points of the NDA 2023 Syllabus and Exam Pattern in the table below.

NDA Syllabus 2023- Overview
Name of the Exam National Defence Academy (NDA)
Conducting Body Union Public Service Commission, UPSC
Frequency Of Exam Twice in a Year (April & September 2023)
Selection Process
  1. Written Test consisting of Objective Type Questions
  2. Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB)
Mode of exam Offline
Papers in NDA Exam
  1. Mathematics
  2. General Ability Test
Marks Segregation
  1. Mathematics: 300 Marks
  2. GAT: 600 Marks
Total No. of Questions
  1. Mathematics: 120
  2. GAT: 150
Negative Marking
  1. Mathematics: -0.83
  2. 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 2 Result 2023 Out – Click to Check

NDA Exam Pattern 2023

Before getting into the NDA Syllabus let us have a look at the NDA Exam Pattern. The mathematics paper has 120 questions of 300 marks and GAT will have English and GK Papers of 200 & 400 marks respectively.

NDA Mathematics Exam Pattern

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 Exam Pattern

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 Exam Pattern for SSB Interview

After clearing the written exam of NDA, candidates have to appear for the SSB Interview rounds. The pattern of NDA Interview is as mentioned below:

NDA – SSB Interview Pattern
Stage 1 Screening Test
  1. Verbal and non-verbal tests.
  2. PPDT
Stage 2 Psychological Test
  1. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
  2. Word Association Test (WAT)
  3. Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
  4. Self Description Test (SD)
Group Testing Officers Test
  1. GD
  2. GPE
  3. PGT
  4. HGT
  5. IoT
  6. Command Task
  7. Snake race/Group Obstacle Race
  8. Individual lecture
  9. FGT
Personal Interview & conference

NDA Previous Year Question Paper PDFs- Click to Download

NDA Syllabus 2023

After getting to know the NDA Exam Pattern it is important for the candidates to know the Syllabus of the NDA Exam. The NDA Syllabus is discussed below.

NDA Mathematics Syllabus

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

Mathematics
Topic Topic-wise Syllabus
Algebra Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Real numbers, Complex numbers, Modulus, Cube roots, Conversion of a number in Binary system to Decimals, and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations, Linear inequations, Permutation and Combination, Binomial theorem, and Logarithms.
Calculus Concept of a real-valued function, domain, range, and graph of a function. Composite functions, one-to-one, onto, and inverse functions. The notion of limit, Standard limits, Continuity of functions, algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative of function at a point, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative-application. Derivatives of sum, product, and quotient of functions, a derivative of a function concerning another function, the derivative of a composite function. Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima
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.
Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Integration as inverse of differentiation, integration by substitution and by parts, standard integrals involving algebraic expressions, trigonometric, exponential, and hyperbolic functions. Evaluation of definite integrals—determination of areas of plane regions bounded by curves—applications.Definition of order and degree of a differential equation, formation of a differential equation by examples. General and particular solution of differential equations, solution of the first order, and first-degree differential equations of various types—examples. Application in problems of growth and decay.
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 Dimension 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 a general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. Point in a three-dimensional space, the distance between two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation 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 and 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 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
Matrices & Determinants 30
Probability 10
Trigonometry 30
Complex number 10-15

NDA General Ability Test Syllabus

The General ability test comprises two papers English and General Knowledge. The English paper consists of 200 Marks while the General Knowledge is of 400 Marks.

NDA Syllabus- English

The question paper in English will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English. The syllabus covers various aspects like 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 marks 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 Affairs 17 68
Total 100 400

NDA Syllabus- Physics

NDA Syllabus For Physics  
  1. Physical Properties and States of Matter
  2. Modes of transference of Heat
  3. Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties
  4. Simple musical instruments
  5. Rectilinear propagation of Light
  6. Density and Specific Gravity
  7. Reflection and refraction
  8. Principle of Archimedes
  9. Spherical mirrors and Lenses
  10. Pressure Barometer
  11. Human Eye
  12. Motion of objects
  13. Natural and Artificial Magnets
  14. Velocity and Acceleration
  15. Properties of a Magnet
  16. Newton’s Laws of Motion
  17. Earth as a Magnet
  18. Force and Momentum
  19. Static and Current Electricity
  20. Parallelogram of Forces
  21. Conductors and Non-conductors
  22. Stability and Equilibrium of bodies
  23. Ohm’s Law
  24. Gravitation
  25. Simple Electrical Circuits
  26. Elementary ideas of work
  27. Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current
  28. Power and Energy
  29. Measurement of Electrical Power
  30. Effects of Heat
  31. Primary and Secondary Cells
  32. Measurement of Temperature and Heat
  33. Use of X-Rays
  34. 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
  1. Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction.
  2. Acids, bases and salts.
  3. Carbon— different forms
  4. Physical and Chemical Changes
  5. Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial
  6. Elements
  7. Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gunpowder
  8. Mixtures and Compounds
  9. Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom
  10. Symbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical Equation
  11. Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights
  12. Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems)
  13. Valency
  14. Properties of Air and Water

NDA Syllabus- General Science

NDA Syllabus For General Science  
  1. Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention
  2. Difference between the living and non-living
  3. Food—Source of Energy for man
  4. Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues
  5. Constituents of food
  6. Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals
  7. Balanced Diet
  8. Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs
  9. The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists

NDA Syllabus- History, Freedom Movement

NDA Syllabus For History  
  1. Forces shaping the modern world;
  2. Renaissance
  3. Exploration and Discovery;
  4. A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation
  5. Freedom Movement in India
  6. French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution
  7. War of American Independence,
  8. Impact of Science and Technology on Society
  9. Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration
  10. Concept of one World
  11. Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India
  12. United Nations,
  13. Panchsheel,
  14. Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism and Communism
  15. Role of India in the present world
  16. Co-operatives and Community Development
  17. Bhoodan, Sarvodaya,
  18. National Integration and Welfare State
  19. Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi

NDA Syllabus- Geography

NDA Syllabus For Geography  
  1. The Earth, its shape and size
  2. Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition
  3. Latitudes and Longitudes
  4. Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation
  5. Concept of time
  6. Types of Climate
  7. International Date Line
  8. Major Natural Regions of the World
  9. Movements of Earth and their effects
  10. Regional Geography of India
  11. Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources;
  12. Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities
  13. Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification
  14. Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India
  15. Weathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes
  16. Main items of Imports and Exports of India

Current Events

NDA Syllabus For Current Affairs
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
Current important world events.

Intelligence and Personality Test

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

NDA SSB Personality Test
Stage I
  1. Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)
  2. Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT).
Stage II
  1. Interview (IO)
  2. Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO)
  3. Psychology Tests (Psych)
  4. Conference

The various tests of IO, GTO, and Psychological 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.

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