Complete Guide to NDA science syllabus overview 2026

The NDA Science syllabus covers Physics, Chemistry, and General Science, accounting for 200 marks in the GAT paper. It focuses on conceptual clarity in fundamental science at the 10+2 level. Success requires mastering NCERT textbooks, consistent practice of previous year questions, and a deep understanding of core scientific principles.

What is the Exam?

The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is a prestigious national-level entrance test conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year. It serves as the gateway for young aspirants to join the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). We at Exam Bhai recognize this exam not merely as a test of knowledge, but as a rigorous selection process designed to identify leadership potential, physical fitness, and academic aptitude in candidates aged between 16.5 and 19.5 years. The written component consists of two papers: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT), with the science section forming the backbone of the GAT.

Key Highlights 2026

• Conducting Body: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Exam Mode: Offline (Pen and Paper)
• Total Marks: 900 (Written) + 900 (SSB Interview)
• Negative Marking: 1/3rd of the marks assigned to the question
• Science Weightage: 200 marks (50 questions, 4 marks each)
• Exam Duration: 2.5 hours per paper

Syllabus 2026

The Science section is divided into three major disciplines. Based on our analysis of UPSC standards, here is the detailed breakdown:

Subject	Key Topics
Physics	Properties of Matter, Motion, Force, Gravitation, Heat, Sound, Light, Electricity, Magnetism
Chemistry	Physical/Chemical Changes, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, Symbols, Formulas, Chemical Equations, Acids, Bases, Salts, Carbon
Biology	Basics of Life, Cell Structure, Tissues, Diversity in Living Organisms, Human Body Systems, Food, Nutrition, Health, Diseases

Physics Breakdown

Physics carries the highest weightage within the science segment. You must prioritize Mechanics, Optics, and Current Electricity. Questions are frequently application-based, testing whether you can relate theoretical laws to real-world phenomena.

Chemistry Breakdown

Chemistry in the NDA exam focuses on the periodic table, chemical reactions, and the properties of common substances like glass, soap, and alloys. We emphasize focusing on 'Chemistry in Everyday Life' to secure easy marks.

Biology Breakdown

Biology questions are typically direct and based on NCERT content. Focus on human physiology, specifically the digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems, alongside plant morphology.

Exam Pattern

The GAT paper is bifurcated into Part A (English) and Part B (General Knowledge). The Science portion falls under Part B.

Section	Subject	Number of Questions	Marks
Part B - Science	Physics	~25	100
Part B - Science	Chemistry	~15	60
Part B - Science	Biology	~10	40

To excel, we recommend candidates practice free mock tests for Defence on Exam Bhai to familiarize themselves with the time pressure of the GAT paper.

Eligibility Criteria

According to the official guidelines provided by the UPSC, candidates must meet the following:

• Education: 12th pass (10+2 pattern) or equivalent for the Army wing. For Air Force and Navy, 12th pass with Physics and Mathematics is mandatory.
• Age: Must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years at the time of commencement of the course.
• Nationality: Citizen of India, subject of Nepal, or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries.

Application Process

The UPSC releases the notification twice annually. Candidates must register via the official portal at upsc.gov.in. The process involves filling out two parts of the application, paying the examination fee (where applicable), and selecting the examination center. Ensure all data matches your Aadhar card or official identity documents.

Preparation Strategy

We at Exam Bhai advocate for a multi-layered approach to crack the NDA science section:

1. NCERT Foundation: Your first step is to treat NCERT books (Class 6-12) as your holy grail. 80% of the theory stems directly from these texts.
2. Conceptual Mapping: Rather than rote learning, create flowcharts for chemical reactions and mind maps for biological processes.
3. Active Practice: You must solve previous year Defence papers on Exam Bhai to identify repetitive patterns in question phrasing.
4. Revision: Physics numericals often confuse students. Maintain a formula sheet and practice at least 50 numericals every week.

Cut-Off Trends

Cut-off marks are dynamic and depend on the difficulty level of the paper and the number of vacancies. As per historical data published on upsc.gov.in, the qualifying score for the written exam typically ranges between 340 and 360 out of 900. Scoring at least 60% in the Science portion significantly boosts your overall aggregate, providing a safety buffer for the SSB interview.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is Class 11th and 12th Physics mandatory for the NDA science section? A: While the level is 10+2, the focus remains on conceptual understanding rather than advanced calculus-based derivations. A strong grip on Class 9th-10th science is the prerequisite, supplemented by 11th-12th basics.

Q2: How many questions are asked from Chemistry? A: Generally, UPSC asks about 15 questions from Chemistry, covering both physical and inorganic chemistry basics.

Q3: Is the NDA Science syllabus different for Army and Air Force? A: No, the written examination syllabus for the GAT paper remains identical for all wings of the NDA. The difference in entry requirements applies to the 12th-grade subjects (Math/Physics) for Air Force/Navy eligibility.

Q4: Which is the most important subject in the Science section? A: Physics carries the highest weightage (approx. 100 marks), making it the most critical subject to secure a high score in the GAT.

Q5: Can I skip Biology and still clear the cutoff? A: We strongly advise against skipping any section. The competition is fierce, and Biology provides high-scoring, direct questions that can be solved in seconds.

Q6: Where can I find the most relevant study material for NDA Science? A: NCERT books are the foundation. For strategy and simulated environment practice, you can access structured Defence study resources on Exam Bhai to streamline your preparation.