NDA Exam 2026 — Eligibility, Syllabus & Preparation Guide

What is NDA?

• National Defence Academy: joint training academy for Army, Navy and Air Force officers
• Admission after Class 12 (or even appearing in Class 12); 3-year training at Khadakwasla, Pune
• UPSC conducts NDA exam twice a year: NDA I (April) and NDA II (September)

Eligibility

• Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years; unmarried male and female candidates
• For Army: any stream in Class 12; Air Force/Navy: PCM mandatory in Class 12 (minimum 70%)
• Physical standards: specific height, weight, vision (correctable for Air Force pilot)

NDA Written Exam Pattern

• Paper I (Mathematics): 300 marks, 120 questions; Paper II (GAT — General Ability Test): 600 marks, 150 questions
• Negative marking: −0.83 for each wrong answer in both papers
• Total: 900 marks; qualifying in written leads to SSB interview (900 marks)

Mathematics Syllabus for NDA

• Algebra, Trigonometry, 2D Geometry, 3D Geometry, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus
• Statistics, Probability, Matrices and Determinants, Vector Algebra
• Class 11 and 12 NCERT Maths is the base; RD Sharma for extra practice

General Ability Test (GAT)

• English (200 marks): grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension
• General Knowledge (400 marks): Physics, Chemistry, Geography, History, Current Events, Biology
• Physics and Chemistry: Class 11–12 NCERT level; focus on concepts not derivations

SSB Interview

• 2-stage selection: Stage I (OIR test + picture perception) → Stage II (psychology tests, GTO, personal interview)
• Tests: assess leadership, teamwork, communication, mental strength, decision-making
• 5-day process at SSB centres (Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore, etc.); recommended resources: SSB Guide by Arihant

Training at NDA Khadakwasla

• 3-year training: academics (degree), physical training, military skills
• Degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University on completion; then 1-year training at respective service academy
• Career: officer in Army (IMA Dehradun), Navy (INA Ezhimala) or Air Force (AFA Dundigal)