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Claim Free Beta AccessThe NDA GAT paper carries 600 marks, with English accounting for 200 marks and General Studies/Science for 400. To maximize scores, focus heavily on Current Affairs, Physics, and English, which historically constitute over 60% of the paper. Download our expert-curated chapter-wise weightage PDF to streamline your revision for 2026.
What is the Exam?
The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is the gateway for young aspirants to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is a highly competitive, prestigious national-level exam designed to test not only academic knowledge but also aptitude, intelligence, and personality traits. The General Ability Test (GAT) is the second paper in the written examination, serving as a critical differentiator for merit list selection.
Key Highlights 2026
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | UPSC |
| Paper Name | General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Total Marks | 600 |
| Number of Questions | 150 |
| Negative Marking | -1.33 for every wrong answer |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen-Paper) |
| Difficulty Level | 10+2 Level |
Syllabus 2026
We at Exam Bhai have analyzed previous year trends to categorize the GAT syllabus into high-yield segments. The paper is broadly divided into two parts: Part A (English) and Part B (General Knowledge).
Part A: English (200 Marks)
| Topic | Expected Questions |
|---|---|
| Grammar and Usage | 10-15 |
| Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms) | 10-15 |
| Comprehension | 10 |
| Spotting Errors | 10 |
| Sentence Improvement | 10 |
Part B: General Knowledge (400 Marks)
| Section | Sub-Topic | Weightage Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Mechanics, Optics, Electricity | High |
| Chemistry | Atoms, Chemical Reactions, Elements | Medium |
| Biology | Cell, Human Systems, Nutrition | Medium |
| History | Indian Freedom Struggle, Modern History | High |
| Geography | Physical & Indian Geography | High |
| Current Affairs | Defence, National & International Events | Very High |
Exam Pattern
The GAT paper is conducted in the afternoon session after the Mathematics paper. Understanding the structure is vital before you attempt full-length mock tests for Defence on Exam Bhai.
- Total Time: 2.5 hours.
- Language: Bilingual (English & Hindi) for Part B; English for Part A.
- Marking Scheme: Each correct answer earns 4 marks.
To excel, you must learn to navigate the specialized time-management modules for Defence on Exam Bhai to ensure you do not lose marks on the negative marking scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
As per the official notifications released on upsc.gov.in, candidates must adhere to the following:
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age.
- Educational Qualification: 12th pass (10+2 pattern) or appearing for the same. For the Air Force and Naval wings, Physics and Mathematics are mandatory subjects.
- Nationality: Citizen of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee.
Application Process
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in.
- Complete the OTR (One-Time Registration).
- Fill in the detailed application form and select your preferred exam center.
- Pay the application fee (exempted for SC/ST and JCO/NCO/OR sons).
- Keep a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.
Preparation Strategy
Success in the NDA GAT requires a balanced approach. We recommend the following steps:
- Prioritize High-Yield Topics: Do not attempt to study everything. Focus on Current Affairs, which is a major scoring area. Review our comprehensive study material for Defence on Exam Bhai to identify repetitive themes.
- English Proficiency: Read newspapers daily and focus on vocabulary building.
- Science Fundamentals: NCERT books from Class 6 to 12 are the gold standard for GAT Science sections.
- Practice: Solve at least 10 years of previous year papers to understand the examiner's psyche.
Cut-Off Trends
Cut-offs are determined by the UPSC based on the difficulty level and the number of vacancies. Historically, the cut-off for the written exam ranges between 340 to 360 out of 900. Please refer to official data archives on upsc.gov.in for year-on-year variations. Trends suggest that scoring consistently above 400 in the written stage significantly improves your chances of a final recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the NCERT sufficient for GAT? Yes, NCERT textbooks for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, and Geography are essential and sufficient for building a strong foundation.
2. How do I improve my English score in GAT? Focus on grammar fundamentals (Wren & Martin) and read editorials daily to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills.
3. Is there a sectional cut-off for GAT? Yes, UPSC mandates a minimum qualifying percentage for each subject, typically around 25%, to ensure candidates have basic knowledge across all sections.
4. How many questions should I attempt to be safe? Aim for an attempt of 90-100 questions with at least 85% accuracy to maintain a healthy score while managing negative markings.
5. Does the GAT paper have a specific order? No, the question paper is objective, and you can attempt sections in any order. Most toppers suggest starting with the sections you are most confident in to build momentum.
6. Where can I find the official syllabus PDF? The official syllabus is released within the annual UPSC NDA Notification. We recommend downloading the latest PDF from upsc.gov.in to ensure you have the most updated information for the 2026 cycle.
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