NDA Syllabus

NDA Syllabus 2023 is released by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) along with the official notification on its website. The UPSC conducts the National Defence Academy exam twice a year to recruit suitable male and female candidates for the defence forces of the country. Those who are going to appear for the upcoming exam must check the latest NDA syllabus of Maths, English, and General Knowledge which is provided here in detail. There are two papers included in the syllabus, Mathematics, and General Ability Test (GAT). 120 questions will be asked from the Maths section and 150 questions will be there in the GAT paper.

To start preparing for the exam, one needs to have a complete understanding of the NDA Maths Syllabus and GAT syllabus as per the latest notification. The selection of the candidates is done through a written exam followed by SSB Test/Interview. To help prepare, we have provided you with the detailed NDA syllabus for all subjects below.

NDA Syllabus 2023

NDA syllabus has two sections for the written exam, General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics. GAT aims to test your basic knowledge of History, GK, Current Affairs of National and International Events, English, Science, and Geography. On the other hand, the Mathematics paper of NDA will have questions based on 10+2. The GAT paper holds the maximum weightage in the UPSC NDA syllabus of 600 marks while the Mathematics section is for 300 marks. Lastly, UPSC will conduct the SSB/Interview for the candidates who obtain the cut-off marks in the written exam.

This post informs you about the detailed syllabus for the UPSC NDA 2023 exam. Knowing the syllabus will help you to plan a strategy to ace the exam, thereby, setting the right direction for your preparation for the exam. You can also download the official NDA syllabus PDF in this post for Maths and GAT topics.

NDA Syllabus for Paper 1

Paper 1 of the NDA written exam consists of 120 questions of Mathematics of 10+2 level. The NDA syllabus for Paper 1 includes Mathematics topics which are provided in detail in the section below. In this exam, candidates will get 2.5 marks for each correct answer and there is also a negative marking of 0.83 marks deducted for each incorrect answer. Check all relevant details on the NDA paper 1 syllabus tabulated below.

NDA Syllabus Overview for Paper 1

Total Marks - 300 Marks

Total No. of Questions - 120

Correct Answer - 2.5 marks

Marks deducted for the wrong answer - 0.83

Total duration of Mathematics Paper  - 2 Hours 30 Minutes

NDA Maths Syllabus

You must take note that the NDA Maths syllabus is based on the 10+2 level. Hence, you must have a good knowledge of the formulas and concepts of all the important topics. Here is the list of topics and subtopics included in the NDA Maths syllabus .

NDA Maths Syllabus

Algebra

Set concept, Sets operations, Venn diagrams, Laws of De Morgan, Cartesian product, Relations, Equivalence relation, Real number representation on a line, Complex numbers - basic properties, module, argument, cube roots, Binary number system, Conversion to the binary system of a number in the decimal system and vice versa, Progressions in arithmetic, geometry, and harmony, Solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs, Permutation and Combination, Binomial theorem and its applications, Logarithms and their applications.

Matrices and Determinants

Matrix types, Operations, The determinant of a matrix, Determinants' properties, Application-Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by the Cranmer's Rule and by the Matrix method, etc.

Trigonometry

Angles and their degree and measurements, Trigonometric ratios, Sum of trigonometric identities and formulas, Multiple angles and sub-multiples, Trigonometric functions & their inverse, Applications-Height and Distance, Triangle Properties.

Analytical geometry of two and three dimensions

The Cartesian Rectangular Coordinate System, Formula of distance, Equation of a line in different shapes, Two lines of angle, A point's distance from a line, Standard and general equation of a circle, parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola, A conic's eccentricity and axis, Point the distance between two points in a three-dimensional space, Cosines of direction and ratios of direction, Two points of the equation, Cosines of direction and ratios of direction, A plane equation and a line in different forms, Two lines of the angle between two planes, Sphere's equation, etc.

Differential calculus

Concept of a valued function - a function's domain, range, and graph, Composite functions, one by one, on, and vice versa, Limit notion, default limits — examples, Continuity of functions— examples, Continuous functional algebraic operations, Function derivative at a point, geometric and physical interpretation of an application derivative, Summary derivatives, product, and function quotient derivatives, function derivatives for another function, 20 composite function derivatives, Derivatives of the second order. Increasing and diminishing functions, Application of derivatives in maxima and minima problems, etc.

Integral Calculus and Differential Equations

Differentiation and integration, standard integrals with algebraic expressions, trigonometric, exponential, and hyperbolic functions.Definite integrals — determination of areas of curved plane regions — applications, General and particular solutions of differential equations, Solutions of the first order, and 1st-degree differential equations of various types—examples, Applications in problems of growth and decay.

Vector Algebra

2D and 3D vectors, vector magnitude, and direction, Unit and null vectors, vector adding, scalar-vector multiplication, scalar product or dot product, vector product, or cross product, Applications — work done through force and moment of force and in geometric problems.

Statistics & Probability

Statistics: data classification, distribution of frequencies, the cumulative distribution of frequencies — examples, Examples of graphic representation— histogram, pie chart, polygon frequency. Central tendency measurements — mean, median, and mode. Variance and deviation of standard — determination, and comparison, Correlation and regression, Sample space, events, exhaustive events & mutually exclusive, impossible and certain events associated with random experiments, results and associated, Union and events intersection, Complementary, composite, and elementary events, Probability, Bayes Theorem, Random variable on a sample space as a function, Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments, the binomial distribution.

NDA Syllabus for Paper 2

The next paper in the written exam is the General Ability Test (GAT) which includes the following topics: General Knowledge (GK), English, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, General Science, and Current Events. The NDA syllabus for Paper 2 includes 150 questions in total including 50 questions from English and the remaining 100 questions from General Knowledge which includes other subjects and current affairs. The basic overview of the NDA syllabus for Paper 2 is as follows:

UPSC NDA Syllabus for GAT

The NDA GAT syllabus holds the maximum weightage in the written exam. Hence, you should be thoroughly prepared to answer a maximum number of questions for the NDA General Ability Test Paper. Check the NDA syllabus for GAT of History, Geography, English, Current Affairs, Physics, GK, Chemistry, and General Science below section-wise.

NDA English Syllabus

The NDA English Syllabus is listed below which must be checked by the candidates preparing for the upcoming exam. 50 questions will be asked from this section to test the basic proficiency in the English Language and Comprehension of the candidates. The NDA syllabus for English can be prepared in less time to score well in this section. It is found to be easy to moderate in the difficulty level as more questions can be attempted in less time.

• Grammar & usage

• Comprehension & cohesion

• Spotting of errors

• Para Jumbling

• Fill in the blanks

• Synonyms & Antonyms

• Vocabulary

• Cloze Test

• Idioms & Proverbs

• Completion of Sentence & Para

• Sentence Correction & Improvement

NDA Physics Syllabus

The NDA Physics Syllabus is listed below containing all important topics suggested by the UPSC. There are around 23-25 questions on Physics in the GAT paper. Check the important topics for the NDA syllabus for Physics below.

• Properties of Mass, Weight, Volume, and Sound waves

• Properties and States of Matter

• Heat and its effects

• Barometer

• Rectilinear propagation of Light

• Density and Specific Gravity

• Human Eye

• Electrical Circuits

• Spherical mirrors and human eye lenses

• Reflection and Refraction of Light

• Velocity/Acceleration

• Motion of objects

• Natural and Artificial Magnets

• Archimedes’ Principle

• Properties of a Magnet

• Newton’s Laws of Motion

• Earth as a Magnet

• Force and Momentum

• Static and Current Electricity

• Parallelogram of Forces

• Ohm’s Law

• Power and Energy

• Primary and Secondary Cells

• Use of X-Rays

• Elementary ideas of work

• Magnetic effects of Current

• Gravitation

• Conductors and Non-conductors

• Measurement of Temperature and Heat

• Working of Simple Pendulum, Pulleys, Levers, Periscope, Siphon, Balloon, Pumps, Gramophone, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Lightning Conductors, Telegraphs, Telephone, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass, Safety Fuses.

NDA Syllabus for Chemistry

The NDA Chemistry Syllabus is listed below containing topics on the 10+2 level. There are around 15 to 16 questions on Chemistry topics in the GAT paper. Check the important topics for the NDA syllabus for Chemistry below.

• Changes in physical and chemical conditions.

• Chemical Combination Law.

• Air and water properties.

• Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide preparation and properties, oxidation, and reduction. Acids, bases, salts, etc. Carbon— various forms. Fertilizers— Artificial and Natural.

• Material used in the preparation of substances such as Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Gun-Powder and Safety Matches.

• Basic ideas on Atom, Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights structure, Valence.

NDA Syllabus 2023 for General Science

NDA syllabus for General Science includes topics to assess the basic knowledge of the candidate on science and environment. Check the important topics for the NDA General Science syllabus below.

• Living and non-living differences

• Life basis — cells, protoplasms, tissues

• Plant and animal growth and reproduction

• Human Body's basic knowledge and its important organs

• Common epidemics, causes, and prevention of them

• Food — man's energy source

• Food constituents, balanced diet

• Meteors and Comets Solar System, Eclipses. 

• Eminent Scientists' achievements

NDA History Syllabus

The NDA History syllabus contains topics on Culture and Civilization, the Freedom Movement in India, American Independence, French Revolution, etc. Around 16 questions will be asked about these topics in the General Ability Test. Check the list of topics included in the UPSC NDA syllabus for History below:

• A comprehensive survey of Indian History, focusing on culture and civilization

• Freedom movement

• Indian Constitution and Administration elementary study

• India's Five Year Plans

• Panchayati Raj, Community Development Co-operatives

• Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, Mahatma Gandhi's Basic Teachings, National Integration and Welfare State

• Modern world forces; Renaissance, Exploration, and Discovery

• American Independence War

• French Revolution, Russian Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution

• Impact on society of science and technology

• One World Concept, UN, Panchsheel, Democracy, Socialism, and Communism

• India's role in today's world

NDA Syllabus for Geography

Around 17 questions will be asked on Geography topics to assess the candidate’s knowledge about Earth and its resources and environment. The NDA syllabus for Geography is given below containing all important areas from the exam point of view.

• The shape and size of the Earth

• Lattitudes, Longitudes, Time Concept

• Date-Line International

• Earth's movements and effects

• Earth's origin

• Rocks and their classification; mechanical and chemical weathering, earthquakes, and volcanoes

• Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and their composition; Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anti-cyclones; Humidity; Condensation 23 and Precipitation; Climate Types, World's Major Natural Regions

• India's regional geography— climate, natural vegetation.

• Resources for minerals and power; location and distribution of agricultural and industrial activities

• Important seaports and major seaports, land, and air routes

NDA Syllabus of Current Affairs

The NDA Current Affairs syllabus includes topics on the latest current affairs events of India and the world. The current affairs of the last 8 to 12 months should be studied in great detail to prepare well for the exam.

• Knowledge of major events that have occurred in India over the past few years

• Important exercises conducted between countries worldwide with special reference to India

• Current major events in the world

• Latest appointments

• Important personalities around the world including those related to cultural and sports activities