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NDA Syllabus

The official UPSC scheme and syllabus, with subject-wise weightages and direct links to study material.

Scheme of Examination

SubjectCodeDurationMax Marks
Mathematics012½ Hours300
General Ability Test022½ Hours600
Written Total900
SSB Interview900

All papers consist of objective (multiple-choice) questions only. Mathematics and Part B of the GAT are set bilingually in Hindi and English.

Negative marking: One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for a wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.

Paper I — Mathematics

300 marksStudy Mathematics →
1. Algebra

Sets, operations on sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relations and equivalence relations. Real numbers on a line. Complex numbers — modulus, argument, cube roots of unity. Binary number system and conversions. Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations. Linear inequations in two variables (graphs). Permutations and combinations. Binomial theorem. Logarithms and applications.

2. Matrices and Determinants

Types of matrices and operations on matrices. Determinant of a matrix and its properties. Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix. Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by Cramer's rule and the Matrix method.

3. Trigonometry

Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios and identities. Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications — heights and distances, properties of triangles.

4. Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D)

Rectangular Cartesian coordinates, distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms, angle between lines, distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle. Parabola, ellipse and hyperbola — standard forms, eccentricity and axis. Points in 3D space, direction cosines and ratios. Equations of a plane, line and sphere.

5. Differential Calculus

Real-valued functions — domain, range and graph. Composite, one-one, onto and inverse functions. Limits and standard limits. Continuity and algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative at a point — geometric and physical meaning. Derivatives of sum, product, quotient and composite functions. Second-order derivatives. Increasing/decreasing functions and maxima & minima.

6. Integral Calculus and Differential Equations

Integration as the inverse of differentiation, by substitution and by parts. Standard integrals. Definite integrals and areas of plane regions. Order and degree of a differential equation; general and particular solutions; first-order, first-degree equations with applications to growth and decay.

7. Vector Algebra

Vectors in two and three dimensions; magnitude and direction. Unit and null vectors. Addition, scalar multiplication, dot product and cross product. Applications — work done by a force, moment of a force and geometric problems.

8. Statistics and Probability

Statistics: classification of data, frequency and cumulative frequency distributions, histograms, pie charts, frequency polygons. Measures of central tendency — mean, median, mode. Variance, standard deviation, correlation and regression. Probability: sample space and events; mutually exclusive, exhaustive, complementary events; classical and statistical definitions; addition and multiplication; conditional probability and Bayes' theorem; random variables and Binomial distribution.

Paper II — General Ability Test

600 marks

Part A — English

The English paper tests understanding of English and workmanlike use of words, covering grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion in extended text to assess the candidate's proficiency.

Part B — General Knowledge

400 marks

Indicative section weightages within Part B.

Physics~25%

Properties and states of matter; mass, weight, volume, density, specific gravity; Archimedes' principle, pressure, barometer. Motion, velocity and acceleration; Newton's laws; force, momentum, equilibrium; gravitation; work, power, energy. Heat and temperature, change of state, transfer of heat. Sound waves. Light — reflection, refraction, mirrors, lenses, the human eye. Magnetism. Static and current electricity, Ohm's law, simple circuits, effects of current, cells, X-rays. Working of simple instruments.

Study Physics
Chemistry~15%

Physical and chemical changes; elements, mixtures and compounds; symbols, formulae and simple equations; laws of chemical combination. Properties of air and water. Preparation and properties of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide; oxidation and reduction. Acids, bases and salts. Carbon and its forms. Fertilizers. Materials used in soap, glass, ink, paper, cement, paints, etc. Atomic structure, atomic and molecular weights, valency.

Study Chemistry
General Science~10%

Difference between living and non-living. Basis of life — cells, protoplasm, tissues. Growth and reproduction in plants and animals. Human body and its organs. Common epidemics — causes and prevention. Food and balanced diet. The solar system, meteors and comets, eclipses. Achievements of eminent scientists.

Study General Science
History & Freedom Movement~20%

Survey of Indian history, culture and civilisation. Freedom movement in India. Indian Constitution and administration. Five-Year Plans. Panchayati Raj, co-operatives and community development. Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, national integration, welfare state and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Forces shaping the modern world — Renaissance, exploration, revolutions, the UN and India's role.

Study History & Freedom Movement
Geography~20%

The Earth — shape, size, latitudes and longitudes, time and the International Date Line; movements of the Earth. Origin of the Earth, rocks, weathering, earthquakes and volcanoes. Ocean currents and tides. Atmosphere, pressure and winds, cyclones, humidity, precipitation and climate types. Regional geography of India. Sea ports and trade routes; imports and exports.

Study Geography
Current Events~10%

Important recent events in India and the world. Prominent Indian and international personalities, including those in cultural activities and sports.

Study Current Events

Ready to start learning?

Open the full study material — notes, worked examples and practice MCQs for every subject.

Go to Study Material

Source: UPSC NDA & NA Examination notice, Appendix-I (Scheme and Syllabus of Examination).