UPSC NDA 2026 · Syllabus & exam pattern
UPSC NDA Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern: Subject-wise Topics
Subjects, number of questions, marks, duration and negative marking for every stage, as printed in the official notice.
UPSC NDA exam pattern 2026
Stages of selection
- 1Written examination by UPSC: Mathematics and General Ability Test (objective)
- 2Intelligence and Personality Test at a Services Selection Board (two stages, over 4 days for Stage II)
- 3Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) for Air Force candidates
- 4Medical examination by a Board of Service Medical Officers
Written examination
2½ hours per paper
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Mathematics (code 01) | See notice | 300 |
| Paper 2: General Ability Test (code 02) — Part A English 200, Part B General Knowledge 400 | See notice | 600 |
Written total 900 marks. Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer; no penalty for unanswered questions.
SSB Test / Interview
Stage I on the first day; Stage II over 4 days
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence and Personality Test | — | 900 |
Final merit is on the total marks of the written examination and the SSB tests.
Source: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 — Examination Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II (published 20 May 2026). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Written examination pattern and negative marking
The written examination has two papers of 2½ hours each: Mathematics (code 01) for 300 marks and the General Ability Test (code 02) for 600 marks, a written total of 900. The General Ability Test has Part A, English (200 marks), and Part B, General Knowledge (400 marks).
All questions are objective. The Mathematics paper and Part B of the General Ability Test are set in both Hindi and English; Part A is the English paper. You mark answers on an answer sheet with a black ball pen only.
One third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer. There is no penalty for a question left unanswered.
The Commission may fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects. You must reach the minimum qualifying marks separately in the written examination (fixed by the Commission) and in the SSB tests (fixed by the SSB).
Scheme of the examination
| Stage | Paper | Duration | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written | Mathematics (code 01) | 2½ hours | 300 |
| Written | General Ability Test (code 02) | 2½ hours | 600 |
| SSB | Intelligence and Personality Test | — | 900 |
NDA syllabus, topic by topic
The English part tests your understanding of English and workmanlike use of words, covering grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion in extended text. The General Knowledge part is divided into six sections; the notice gives an approximate weightage for each.
Mathematics (Paper 1) — topic headings in the notice
| # | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Algebra |
| 2 | Matrices and Determinants |
| 3 | Trigonometry |
| 4 | Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions |
| 5 | Differential Calculus |
| 6 | Integral Calculus and Differential Equations |
| 7 | Vector Algebra |
| 8 | Statistics and Probability |
General Ability Test, Part B (General Knowledge) — approximate weightage
| Section | Subject | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| A | Physics | 25% |
| B | Chemistry | 15% |
| C | General Science | 10% |
| D | History, Freedom Movement etc. | 20% |
| E | Geography | 20% |
| F | Current Events | 10% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the UPSC NDA exam pattern?
Written examination: Paper 1: Mathematics (code 01), Paper 2: General Ability Test (code 02) — Part A English 200, Part B General Knowledge 400 (2½ hours per paper). Written total 900 marks. Negative marking: one-third (0.33) of the marks of a question for each wrong answer; no penalty for unanswered questions. SSB Test / Interview: Intelligence and Personality Test (Stage I on the first day; Stage II over 4 days). Final merit is on the total marks of the written examination and the SSB tests.
What is the NDA exam pattern?
Two objective papers of 2½ hours each: Mathematics for 300 marks and the General Ability Test for 600 marks (English 200, General Knowledge 400). The SSB carries another 900 marks.
Is there negative marking in NDA?
Yes. One third (0.33) of the marks of a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.