Defense
Exam Guide
National Defence Academy (NDA) Preparation Guide
150 mins•150 questions•defense Exam
National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam Guide 2026
Overview
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA at Khadakwasla, Pune, and the Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala, Kerala. It is one of the most prestigious defence entry routes for Class 12 pass students in India.
Eligibility:
- Nationality: Indian (or subject of Nepal/Bhutan/Tibetan refugee with certain conditions)
- Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years (born between specified dates per notification)
- Gender: Male only (for NDA); UPSC has begun the process of inducting women — check latest notification.
- Education: Class 12 or equivalent (appearing students may also apply). Physics & Maths mandatory for Air Force and Navy wings.
- Marital Status: Unmarried only.
Written Exam Pattern: Two Papers
NDA Written Exam is conducted as a 300-mark Mathematics paper and a 600-mark General Ability Test (GAT).
Paper 1 — Mathematics (300 Marks | 2.5 Hours)
| Topic Area | Approx. Questions | Approx. Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Algebra (Sets, Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Sequences) | 12–15 | 48–60 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 8–10 | 32–40 |
| Trigonometry (Properties, Inverse, Heights & Distances) | 10–12 | 40–48 |
| Analytical Geometry (2D and 3D) | 10–12 | 40–48 |
| Differential Calculus (Limits, Derivatives, Applications) | 10–12 | 40–48 |
| Integral Calculus & Differential Equations | 8–10 | 32–40 |
| Vector Algebra | 6–8 | 24–32 |
| Statistics & Probability | 6–8 | 24–32 |
| Total | 120 | 300 |
- Marking Scheme: +2.5 per correct answer, -0.83 (1/3rd) per wrong answer.
- Level: Class 11–12 NCERT level. Many questions are directly from NCERT examples.
Paper 2 — General Ability Test (GAT) (600 Marks | 2.5 Hours)
Part A: English (200 Marks)
| Topic | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|
| Grammar & Usage (Error Spotting, Fill in Blanks) | 20–25 |
| Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, One-word substitution) | 15–20 |
| Reading Comprehension (2–3 passages) | 20–25 |
| Total Part A | 50 |
Part B: General Knowledge (400 Marks)
| Section | Approx. Questions | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 25 | Motion, Electricity, Light, Sound, Magnetism, Optics |
| Chemistry | 15 | Elements, Compounds, Chemical reactions, Metals/Non-metals, Acids-Bases |
| General Science | 10 | Living world, Cell theory, Human nutrition, Environment |
| History (with focus on Freedom Struggle) | 20–25 | Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, World History highlights |
| Geography | 20–25 | Physical geography, Indian geography, Climate, Soils, Vegetation |
| Indian Polity & Constitution | 15 | Constitution, Parliament, Judiciary, State govts |
| Current Events | 10–15 | National & International news, sports, awards, defence news |
| Total Part B | ~100 |
- Marking Scheme: +4 per correct, -1.33 per wrong.
- Total Paper 2: 150 questions × 4 marks = 600 marks.
SSB (Services Selection Board): The 5-Day Process
Candidates who clear the Written Exam are called for SSB Interview at one of the four SSBs (Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore, Kapurthala).
Stage 1 (Day 1): Screening
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR): Two sets of verbal + non-verbal reasoning tests.
- Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT): View a hazy image for 30 seconds, write a story, then discuss it in a group.
- Approximately 40–60% of candidates are screened out at Stage 1.
Stage 2 (Days 2–4): Psychological + Group Tests + Interview
Psychological Tests (Day 2):
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): 12 pictures; write a story for each (4 minutes each).
- Word Association Test (WAT): 60 words shown for 15 seconds each; write the first sentence that comes to mind.
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT): 60 everyday situations; write your immediate reaction.
- Self Description Test (SD): Write what your parents, friends, teachers, and you yourself think about you.
Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tests (Days 3–4):
- Group Discussion (2 topics), Group Planning Exercise (Military-style problem with a map), Progressive Group Task (Outdoor physical task with rules), Half Group Task, Individual Obstacles (10 tasks), Command Task (lead 2 subordinates through a task), Lecturette (3-minute talk on a topic from chits).
Personal Interview (Day 3 or 4):
- A 30–60 minute interview with a senior officer covering personal background, motivations for joining defence, academic performance, GK, current affairs, and situation-based questions.
Stage 3 (Day 5): Conference
- All assessors (GTO, Psychologist, IO) meet and jointly decide the recommendation.
- Candidates are called individually and informed of the result.
Physical Standards
Medical Examination is conducted at Military Hospital after SSB:
| Parameter | Army | Navy | Air Force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height (General) | 157 cm | 157 cm | 162.5 cm |
| Weight | Proportionate to height & age | Proportionate | Proportionate |
| Vision (uncorrected) | 6/6 in one eye, 6/9 in other | 6/6 in both | 6/6 in both |
| Colour Vision | Normal (CP-3 or better) | Normal (CP-1) | Normal (CP-1) |
Additional standards: No colour blindness, no flat feet, no blood pressure issues, no major surgery history, normal hearing.
Preparation Strategy
Mathematics (12-Month Plan)
- Months 1–3: NCERT Class 11–12 Mathematics chapters — cover Algebra, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry fully.
- Months 4–6: Calculus (Limits, Derivatives, Integration), Vectors and 3D Geometry.
- Months 7–12: Statistics, Matrices, full previous year paper practice (last 10 years minimum 2 full revisions).
GAT (General Ability Test)
- English: Read NCERT English textbooks (Class 10–12) for grammar rules. Daily vocabulary from Word Power Made Easy.
- Physics & Chemistry: NCERT Class 11–12 are the definitive sources. No additional book needed.
- History & Geography: NCERT Class 6–10 for History; NCERT Physical Geography + Goh Cheng Leong for Geography.
- Current Affairs: Follow The Hindu / PIB daily. Defence news is especially important (new weapon inductions, exercises, medals).
SSB Preparation
- Start SSB prep 3 months before expected interview date.
- Read "Let's Crack SSB Interview" by Arihant publication.
- Practise TAT stories daily (write 3 per day for 30 days).
- Join a study group or mock SSB programme — group dynamics cannot be practised alone.
Take NDA Mathematics and GAT mock tests on YourMockTest — with detailed topic-wise analytics and previous year question coverage.
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