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Claim Free Beta AccessThe NDA exam pattern 2026 details mandate a two-stage selection process: a 900-mark pen-and-paper written examination followed by a 900-mark SSB Interview. The written test comprises Paper 1 Mathematics (120 questions, 300 marks) and Paper 2 General Ability Test (150 questions, 600 marks), both conducted offline on the same day with (\frac{1}{3}) negative marking.
What is the Exam?
The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is conducted semi-annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select candidates for entry into the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA, as well as the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). It serves as a single-window gateway for Class 12 students and graduates to receive officer-level training across the Indian Armed Forces.
At ExamBhai, we view the NDA examination as a balance of mental agility, time management, and personality attributes. Candidates must clear both the offline written exam and the subsequent Service Selection Board (SSB) testing procedure. The written exam evaluates high-school level analytical skills, English proficiency, and basic scientific awareness. Candidates who clear the written cutoff proceed to the 5-day SSB stage, which tests psychological fitness, group dynamics, and officer-like qualities (OLQs).
Key Highlights 2026
Navigating the NDA exam schedule requires a precise understanding of the operational framework set by the UPSC. Below is a detailed breakdown of the critical parameters governing the 2026 cycles.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a Year (NDA 1 & NDA 2) |
| Mode of Examination | Offline (Pen-and-Paper, OMR Sheet) |
| Stages of Selection | Stage 1: Written Exam (900 Marks)<br>Stage 2: SSB Interview (900 Marks) |
| Total Duration | 5 Hours (2.5 Hours per Paper) |
| Question Type | Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Language Options | Bilingual (English & Hindi, except English language section) |
| Sectional Minimum Cutoff | 20% to 25% in each individual paper |
Syllabus 2026
The UPSC NDA syllabus spans secondary and higher secondary curriculum levels, focusing primarily on Class 11 and Class 12 concepts for Mathematics, paired with General Knowledge and English.
Paper 1: Mathematics Syllabus
The Mathematics paper tests problem-solving speed, numerical ability, and conceptual precision across eight key modules.
| Mathematical Domain | Core Topics & Sub-modules |
|---|---|
| Algebra | Sets, Venn diagrams, Relations, Complex numbers, Quadratic equations, Permutations & Combinations, Binomial theorem, Logarithms |
| Matrices & Determinants | Types of matrices, Operations, Determinants of order 2 & 3, Adjoint and Inverse, Systems of linear equations |
| Trigonometry | Angles and ratios, Trigonometric identities, Height and distances, Inverse trigonometric functions |
| Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D) | Distance formula, Equation of lines, Conic sections (Circle, Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola), 3D coordinate system, Direction cosines |
| Differential Calculus | Functions, Limits, Continuity, Derivatives, Tangents & Normals, Maxima & Minima |
| Integral Calculus & Differential Equations | Indefinite and Definite integrals, Area under curves, Order and degree of differential equations |
| Vector Algebra | Vector addition, Scalar product (dot product), Vector product (cross product), Applications |
| Statistics & Probability | Frequency distribution, Mean, Variance, Standard deviation, Bayes' theorem, Binomial distribution |
Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) Syllabus
Paper 2 is partitioned into Part A (English) and Part B (General Knowledge). Part B comprises six distinct academic disciplines.
| GAT Component | Subject Area | Key Covered Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Part A (200 Marks) | English | Grammar & Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, Spotting Errors, Synonyms & Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases |
| Part B (400 Marks) | Section A: Physics | States of Matter, Motion, Newton’s Laws, Work-Energy-Power, Heat, Electricity & Magnetism, Sound, Optics |
| Section B: Chemistry | Physical & Chemical changes, Elements & Compounds, Acids & Bases, Metals & Non-metals, Carbon compounds, Electrochemistry | |
| Section C: General Science | Basics of Life Sciences, Human Anatomy, Physiology, Plant cell functions, Diseases and Immunity | |
| Section D: History & Culture | Ancient & Medieval Indian History, Freedom Movement, World History events, Culture and Heritage | |
| Section E: Geography | Earth, Physical Geography, Climate, Agriculture, Indian Geography, Resources, Trade & Transport | |
| Section F: Current Events | National/International Defense updates, Sports, Awards, Summits, International Organizations |
Exam Pattern
Understanding the exact marking scheme and question layout prevents unexpected mark deductions on exam day. The NDA written exam features 270 questions totaling 900 marks. You can practice free mock tests for Defence on ExamBhai to familiarize yourself with the exact OMR paper format under strict timed conditions.
Detailed Paper Scheme
| Feature | Paper 1: Mathematics | Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) | Total / Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 Questions | 150 Questions | 270 Questions |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks | 600 Marks | 900 Marks |
| Duration | 2 Hours 30 Minutes | 2 Hours 30 Minutes | 5 Hours |
| Marks per Correct Answer | (+2.5) Marks | (+4.0) Marks | -- |
| Negative Marking (Penalty) | (-0.83) Marks | (-1.33) Marks | (\frac{1}{3}) of total marks per question |
| Sub-sections | Single Section | Part A: English (50 Qs, 200 Marks)<br>Part B: General Knowledge (100 Qs, 400 Marks) | 2 Papers |
Mathematical Formulation of Final Scoring
To calculate your estimated written score (S_{written}), use the standard formula based on correct attempts (C) and incorrect attempts (W):
[S_{written} = \bigl(C_{maths} \times 2.5 - W_{maths} \times 0.833\bigr) + \bigl(C_{gat} \times 4.0 - W_{gat} \times 1.333\bigr)]
For an answer to count toward your final raw score, you must mark it on the official OMR sheet using a black ballpoint pen. Incorrectly filled bubbles or multiple options marked for a single question are treated as wrong attempts and attract standard negative penalties.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria are strictly enforced by the Union Public Service Commission. According to official notification guidelines published on the official government portal upsc.gov.in, candidates must meet specific conditions before applying.
1. Age Limit and Marital Status
- Age Window: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old on the day the course commences.
- Specific Birth Dates: For NDA 1 2026, candidates must be born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010. For NDA 2 2026, the dates fall between January 2, 2008, and July 1, 2011.
- Marital Status: Only unmarried male and female candidates are eligible to apply. Candidates must remain unmarried throughout their entire training period. No age relaxations apply to reserved categories for NDA admissions.
2. Educational Qualifications
- Army Wing of NDA: Must have passed or be appearing in the Class 12 examination (10+2 pattern) conducted by a recognized State Board or Central Board in any stream.
- Air Force and Naval Wings (and INAC): Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as core subjects.
3. Physical and Medical Standards
- Minimum Height: 157 cm for male candidates (relaxable for candidates from North-Eastern regions, Garhwal, Kumaon, and Lakshadweep). Female candidates require a minimum height of 152 cm.
- Visual Standards: Distance vision (corrected) must be (6/6) in the better eye and (6/9) in the worse eye. Hypermetropia should not exceed (+3.5\text{ D}) and Myopia should not exceed (-2.5\text{ D}).
Application Process
Candidates applying for the examination must follow the step-by-step procedure mandated on the official UPSC online portal.
- One-Time Registration (OTR): Register on the official portal (
upsconline.nic.in). Fill in personal details, email ID, and mobile number to generate a unique OTR profile. - Part-I Registration: Log in using OTR credentials. Fill out basic demographic information, select preference sequence for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy, and verify details.
- Application Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable fee of ₹100 online (via Net Banking, UPI, or Credit/Debit cards). SC/ST candidates, female applicants, and wards of JCOs/NCOs/ORs are exempt from paying the fee.
- Part-II Registration: Upload scanned images of your signature, recent photograph, and official photo ID card (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID) according to the specified file size and dimension limits.
- Exam Centre Selection & Final Submission: Select your preferred exam centre from the available list. Accept the declaration and submit the form to receive an application confirmation.
Preparation Strategy
To clear the written exam and perform well in the competitive pool, we at ExamBhai recommend a structured approach split across three core phases.
Phase 1: Conceptual Mastery in Mathematics
Mathematics carries 300 marks directly. Do not rely solely on formula memorization. Build a strong foundation in high-weightage chapters like Calculus, Matrices, Trigonometry, and Vectors. Solve a minimum of 40–50 problems daily across different difficulty levels.
To evaluate your speed and conceptual understanding, attempt chapter-wise test series for Defence exams on ExamBhai. Focus on shortcuts for time-intensive topics like Determinants and Probability.
Phase 2: Systematic GAT Coverage
- English (200 Marks): Spend 30 minutes daily reading major editorials to expand your vocabulary. Practice error-spotting rules, idioms, and sentence ordering consistently.
- Science (Physics/Chemistry/Biology): Stick strictly to NCERT textbooks from Class 9 through Class 12. Prioritize optics, thermodynamics, mechanics, and everyday chemistry principles.
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs: Track defense news, joint military exercises, missile tests, national honors, and geopolitical shifts over the last 6 to 8 months.
Phase 3: Mock Testing and Time Management
Simulate actual examination day conditions by taking 2.5-hour continuous tests for both papers. Target completing Paper 1 within 130 minutes, reserving 20 minutes for OMR bubbling. You can take live full-length mock tests for Defence on ExamBhai to measure your performance, accuracy, and overall ranking relative to thousands of aspirants nationwide.
Cut-Off Trends
The written exam cut-off is the minimum score required out of 900 to qualify for the SSB interview stage. Additionally, candidates must clear a sectional qualifying cut-off of 20% to 25% in each individual paper. Official historic data sourced from upsc.gov.in provides a benchmark for setting safe target scores.
| Examination Cycle | Written Exam Cut-off (Out of 900) | Sectional Minimum Criteria | Final Recommended Selection Cut-off (Out of 1800) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA II 2025 | 304.90 (Male) / 358.84 (Female) | 25% in each subject | 666.01 (Male) / 737.40 (Female) |
| NDA I 2025 | 334 | 25% in each subject | 699 |
| NDA II 2024 | 305 | 25% in each subject | 673 |
| NDA I 2024 | 291 | 20% in each subject | 654 |
| NDA II 2023 | 292 | 20% in each subject | 656 |
| NDA I 2023 | 301 | 25% in each subject | 664 |
| NDA II 2022 | 316 | 20% in each subject | 678 |
| NDA I 2022 | 360 | 25% in each subject | 720 |
Strategic Takeaways
Our analysis at ExamBhai indicates that while written cut-offs historically stay within the range of 300 to 360 marks, aim for a minimum written target of 370+ marks. This creates a sufficient safety buffer to maintain a high position on the final merit list after combining written and SSB interview scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is there negative marking in the NDA 2026 written examination?
Yes, the NDA exam follows a strict negative marking rule. In Paper 1 (Mathematics), every incorrect response results in a deduction of (-0.83) marks. In Paper 2 (GAT), every incorrect response deducts (-1.33) marks. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Q2: Are female candidates eligible to apply for NDA 2026?
Yes, both unmarried male and female candidates can apply for the NDA 2026 examination, provided they meet the requisite age, educational, and medical eligibility requirements.
Q3: What is the sectional cut-off for NDA Mathematics and GAT papers?
UPSC enforces a minimum sectional qualifying threshold, usually between 20% and 25% in each individual paper. This means a candidate must secure at least 60 to 75 marks out of 300 in Mathematics and 120 to 150 marks out of 600 in GAT, alongside clearing the overall written cutoff.
Q4: Can Class 12 appearing students apply for the NDA 2026 exam?
Yes, candidates currently appearing in their Class 12 final examinations are conditionally eligible to apply. However, they must produce proof of passing the 10+2 examination during the SSB interview process or before the deadline specified by UPSC.
Q5: Is Mathematics compulsory for all wings of the National Defence Academy?
For admission into the Air Force and Naval wings of NDA (as well as the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at INAC), studying Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Class 12 is mandatory. However, students from Commerce or Humanities backgrounds are eligible to join the Army Wing of the NDA. All candidates must attempt the Mathematics paper in the written examination regardless of their wing preference.
Q6: What is the total duration of the NDA written exam on exam day?
The NDA written examination lasts 5 hours in total, split across two sessions on the same day. Paper 1 (Mathematics) takes place in the morning session for 2.5 hours, and Paper 2 (GAT) takes place in the afternoon session for 2.5 hours.
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