NDA Syllabus 2025
NDA syllabus is divided into two sections, Maths and General Aptitude Test (GAT). NDA Maths syllabus consists of questions based on the 12th standard on topics such as Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Vector, Probability, Statistics, Three Dimension, Trigonometry, etc. NDA GAT syllabus aims to test your knowledge on general awareness of topics such as Geography, Social Science, History, Current Affairs, etc.
NDA Syllabus 2025 – Overview
| Name of the Exam | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission, UPSC |
| Frequency of Exam | Twice in a Year (April & September) |
| Selection Criteria | Written Exam consisting of Objective Type Questions Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB) |
| Mode of exam | Pen and Paper Based (Offline mode) |
| Papers in NDA exam | Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Marking Scheme | Mathematics: 300 Marks GAT: 600 Marks |
| Total No. of Questions | Mathematics: 120 GAT: 150 |
| Negative Marking | Mathematics: -0.83 GAT: -1.33 marks |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours For Each Paper |
| Medium of NDA exam | English & Hindi (English Language paper has to be attempted in English) |
NDA Exam Pattern
| Subject | Marks | Number of questions | Duration of test |
| Mathematics | 300 | 120 | 2 ½ |
| GAT | 600 | 150 | 2 ½ |
| Total | 900 | 270 | 5 hours |
NDA Syllabus 2025 for Maths, English and GAT
| NDA Maths Syllabus Topics | Details |
| Algebra | Sets, Venn Diagram, De Morgan Law, Cartesian Product, Representation of real numbers on a line, Complex numbers, Cube roots of unity, Binary system of numbers, Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system and vice-versa, Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations with real coefficients. Solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs. Permutation and Combination. Binomial theorem and its applications. Logarithms and their applications |
| Matrices and Determinants | Types of matrices, operations on matrices. Determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants. Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix, Applications-Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by Cramer’s rule and by Matrix Method. |
| Integral Calculus and Differential Equations | Integration as inverse of differentiation, integration by substitution and by parts, standard integrals involving algebraic expressions, trigonometric, exponential and hyperbolic functions. Evaluation of definite integrals Order and degree of a differential equation, General and particular solution of a differential equations, solution of first order and first degree differential equations of various types, Application in problems of growth and decay |
| Vector | Vectors in 2D and 3D, magnitude and direction of a vector. Unit and null vectors, addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar product or dot product of two vectors. Vector product or cross product of two vectors |
| Statistics | Classification of data, Frequency distribution, cumulative frequency distribution, Histogram, Pie Chart, frequency polygon, Mean, median and mode. Variance and standard deviation—determination and comparison. Correlation and regression |
| Probability | Random experiment, outcomes and associated sample space, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, impossible and certain events. Union and Intersection of events. Complementary, elementary and composite events, Elementary theorems on probability, Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem. Binomial distribution |
| Trigonometry | Angles and their measures in degrees and in radians, Trigonometrical ratio, Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications-Height and distance, properties of triangles |
| 2Dand 3D Geometry | Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system. Distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms. Angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and in general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. Point in a three dimensional space, distance between two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of a plane and a line in various forms. Angle between two lines and angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere |
| Differential Calculus | Real valued function–domain, range and graph of a function. Composite functions, Limit,. Continuity of functions, Geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative, Derivatives of sum, product and quotient of functions, derivative of a function with respect to another function, derivative of a composite function. Second order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima. |
NDA Syllabus for Paper 2
NDA syllabus for Paper 2 is the General Aptitude Test (GAT). This paper is aimed to test the candidate’s basic knowledge on current affairs, History, Polity, Environment, defence schemes, summits, etc. NDA GAT Syllabus is for a total of 600 marks whereby 150 questions are asked in it. Out of this, 50 questions are from the English Language while the rest covers General Knowledge questions.
NDA GAT Syllabus 2025
In the following table, we have shared the complete NDA GAT syllabus for the following topics. The following topics will let you plan your preparation strategy for the NDA exam.
– NDA English Syllabus
– NDA Physics Syllabus
– NDA Chemistry Syllabus
– NDA General Science Syllabus
– NDA History, Freedom Movement etc Syllabus
– NDA Geography Syllabus
– NDA Current Events Syllabus
The topic wise detailed NDA GAT syllabus is given below for each subject.
NDA Current Affairs Syllabus
The candidates must have good knowledge about the latest happenings in and around the world. Knowledge about both India and the world is required for this subject. In addition ot this, candidates should also be well known about the latest research and developments, and important summits held. To prepare current affairs, candidates should make it a habit to keep track of all the latest happenings through newspapers and magazines.
NDA English Syllabus
NDA English syllabus is aimed to test the candidate’s knowledge on various aspects of this subject. Questions will be asked from vocabulary, comprehension, sentence completion, active passive voice, direct and indirect speech, etc. The candidate’s proficiency in this subject will be tested.
NDA Physics Syllabus
NDA Physics syllabus will have around 20-25 questions based on several topics that are a part of Physics subject. Some of the important topics are Matter, Density, Gravitation, Mirror, Pulley, Power and Energy, Temperature and Heat, Sound Waves, etc.
| NDA Syllabus for Physics | ||
| Force and Momentum | Motion of objects | Gravitation |
| Effects of Heat | Sound waves and their properties | Magnets |
| Simple Electrical Circuits | Measurement of Temperature and Heat | Ohm’s Law |
| Primary and Secondary Cells | Principles in the Working of Pulley, Pendulum, Lightening Conductors, Fuses, Hydrometer, etc. | Reflection and refraction |
| Spherical mirrors and Lenses, Human Eye | Power and Energy | Principle of Archimedes |
NDA Chemistry Syllabus
NDA Chemistry syllabus aims to test your basic knowledge of Chemistry and its applications in daily use. Questions from Physical and Chemical changes, Metals and No Metals, Environment, Acid, Bases and Salts, Chemical Reactions are asked in it. Check the list of the important topics of Chemistry for NDA exam in the table below.
| NDA Syllabus for Chemistry | ||
| Physical and Chemical changes | Mixtures and Compounds | Law of Chemical Combination |
| Valency | Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights | Symbols, Formulae and simple Chemical Equations |
| Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches and Gun- 25 Powder | Mixtures and Compounds | Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbondioxide, Oxidation and Reduction. Acids, bases and salts |
NDA General Science Syllabus
General science Syllabus for NDA exam covers the basic questions of Science that are to be known by any student preparing for the exam. Questions based on common food diseases, solar system, reproduction, inventions and discovering, etc are asked in it. Check the list of important topics for NDA General Science in the table below.
| NDA General Science Syllabus | ||
| Difference between the living and non-living | Cell | Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs |
| Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals | Solar System | Achievements of Eminent Scientists |
| Constituents of food | Common Epidemics their causes and Prevention | Food |
NDA History, Freedom Movement Syllabus
NDA History, Freedom Movement syllabus shall be basd on the integral events that took place during the Indian Freedom Movement such as the formation of the Consitution, Gandhi’s principle, the revolt of 1857, Panchayati Raj, Five Year Plan, etc. The important topics for NDA History, and Freedom Movement are shared in the table below.
| NDA Syllabus for History, Freedom Movement | ||
| Freedom Movement in India | Elementary Study of the Indian Constitution and Administration | Panchayati Raj |
| Forces Shaping the modern world | Socialism and Communism | War of American Independence |
| French Revolution | Role of India in the present world | National Integration and Welfare State |
| Five-Year Plans of India | Survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation | Democracy |
| National Integration and Welfare State | Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi | Constitution and Administration |
NDA Geography Syllabus
NDA Geography syllabus consists of the topics that you have studied up to class 12th. It constitutes Earth, important geographical features of India, Earthquake and Volcanoes, Climate, etc.
| NDA Syllabus for Geography | ||
| The Earth, its shape and size | Latitudes and Longitudes | Origin of Earth |
| Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure | Planetary Winds | Weathering |
| Regional Geography of India | Important Sea ports and main sea | Main items of Imports and Exports of India |
| Types of Climate | Earthquakes and Volcanoes | Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its Composition |
Important Books to Prepare NDA Syllabus
Preparing for NDA exam requires having the best books as per NDA syllabus so that one can get maximum knowledge out of it. Here are the best books for NDA Maths and GAT papers.
| NDA Books for Maths | |
| Subjects | Name and Author of the Book |
| Mathematics | Mathematics for NDA and NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy by RS Aggarwal Quantitative aptitude for competitive examinations by RS Aggarwal NCERT Class 11 and 12th Maths Books |
| GAT | History Of Modern India (History) by Bipan Chandra Science and Technology in India (Science and Technology) by Kalpana Rajaram: Spectrum Objective General English for Competitive Exams by S P Bakshi Manorama Yearbook by Mammen Mathew |