Subject Code 01
Paper I — Mathematics
2½ hours · 300 marks
Objective multiple-choice. Bilingual (Hindi & English). No calculator or log table allowed.
NDA Exam Pattern
Written examination — 900 marks total. SSB Interview — 900 marks. Grand total — 1800.
Headline figures
- • Written examination: 900 marks (Paper I 300 + Paper II 600)
- • SSB Test / Interview: 900 marks
- • Grand total: 1800 marks
- • Negative marking applies for every wrong answer in the objective papers.
Subject Code 02
Paper II — General Ability Test (GAT)
2½ hours · 600 marks
Two parts: Part A English (200 marks, English only) and Part B General Knowledge (400 marks, bilingual).
Paper I — Topic-wise weightage (300 marks)
The UPSC notification lists eight Mathematics units but does not assign marks to each. The table below shows indicative shares from previous-year paper analysis (~120 MCQs at 2.5 marks each). Use Pattern Insights for live counts from papers in our bank.
| Unit | Approx. weight | Indicative marks | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Algebra | ~17% | 50 | Chapter notes → |
| 2 — Matrices and Determinants | ~7% | 22 | Chapter notes → |
| 3 — Trigonometry | ~14% | 42 | Chapter notes → |
| 4 — Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D) | ~16% | 48 | Chapter notes → |
| 5 — Differential Calculus | ~16% | 48 | Chapter notes → |
| 6 — Integral Calculus and Differential Equations | ~13% | 40 | Chapter notes → |
| 7 — Vector Algebra | ~9% | 28 | Chapter notes → |
| 8 — Statistics and Probability | ~8% | 22 | Chapter notes → |
Paper II Part B — Section-wise weightage (400 marks)
Approximate weightages as specified in the UPSC notification.
| Section | Approx. weight | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A — Physics | ~25% | 100 |
| B — Chemistry | ~15% | 60 |
| C — General Science | ~10% | 40 |
| D — History & Freedom Movement | ~20% | 80 |
| E — Geography | ~20% | 80 |
| F — Current Events | ~10% | 40 |
Marking & instructions
- • All questions are objective (MCQ).
- • Use black ball pen only on the OMR sheet.
- • No pencil, ink pen or coloured pen permitted.
- • Errors in encoding Roll Number or Test Booklet Series can invalidate the sheet.
- • Negative marking for wrong answers.
Rounding-off & tie-breaking
Marks are rounded to two decimal places before applying tie rules.
- Higher Final (aggregate) marks rank first.
- If still tied, higher written-total marks rank first.
- If still tied, higher Paper II (GAT) marks rank first.
- If still tied, the senior candidate (by age) ranks first.
- Any remaining tie is resolved at the Commission's discretion.
Source: UPSC NDA & NA Examination Notification — Appendix I (Scheme of Examination). Refer to the official notice for any update.