NDA (National Defence Academy) Pathway

The NDA 2026 syllabus, prescribed by UPSC in the official notification, has two objective written papers — Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test or GAT (600 marks) — followed by the SSB Interview (900 marks). The written papers are multiple-choice and set at the 10+2 (Class 11–12) standard. The GAT is divided into Part A (English, 200 marks) and Part B (General Knowledge, 400 marks).

Official Syllabus: the complete NDA syllabus is published within the UPSC official notification PDF — download below.

The NDA Mathematics syllabus 2026 (Paper I) covers eight topic areas at the 10+2 level — Algebra, Matrices & Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus, Vector Algebra, and Statistics & Probability — across 120 questions for 300 marks (2 hr 30 min; negative marking −0.83 per wrong answer).

The NDA English syllabus 2026 forms Part A of the GAT (200 marks, 50 questions) and tests grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and the cohesive use of language at the 10+2 level.

The NDA General Knowledge syllabus 2026 forms Part B of the GAT (400 marks, 100 questions) and is divided into six sections — Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Events. The weightages below are approximate, as specified by UPSC, and not a fixed annual split.

The written exam is followed by the SSB Interview, a five-day personality and intelligence assessment — its stage-by-stage structure is covered in the Exam Pattern and Preparation Tips sections of this page. The General Knowledge section weightages are approximate, as specified by UPSC, and may vary slightly each year.

एनडीए सिलेबस 2026 को यूपीएससी द्वारा आधिकारिक अधिसूचना में निर्धारित किया गया है। लिखित परीक्षा में दो वस्तुनिष्ठ (objective) प्रश्नपत्र होते हैं — गणित (300 अंक) और सामान्य योग्यता परीक्षा यानी GAT (600 अंक) — और दोनों 10+2 (कक्षा 11–12) स्तर के होते हैं। GAT दो भागों में बँटा है — भाग A: अंग्रेजी (200 अंक) और भाग B: सामान्य ज्ञान (400 अंक)। सामान्य ज्ञान में छह विषय आते हैं — भौतिक विज्ञान, रसायन विज्ञान, सामान्य विज्ञान, इतिहास, भूगोल और समसामयिक घटनाएँ। लिखित परीक्षा के बाद SSB इंटरव्यू (900 अंक) होता है।

नोट: एनडीए परीक्षा अंग्रेजी और हिंदी दोनों माध्यमों में आयोजित की जाती है (अंग्रेजी खंड केवल अंग्रेजी में)। सामान्य ज्ञान के विषयों का भारांक (weightage) अनुमानित है और हर वर्ष थोड़ा बदल सकता है। पूरा आधिकारिक सिलेबस यूपीएससी की अधिसूचना में उपलब्ध है — NDA & NA (II) 2026 अधिसूचना (PDF)।

NDA 2026 Preparation Tips — Complete Written & SSB Strategy

Cracking the NDA is a two-front challenge, and most aspirants under-prepare for one of them. The final merit list carries 1800 marks — 900 for the written exam and 900 for the SSB Interview — so the SSB is exactly half your selection, not an afterthought. A winning NDA 2026 strategy works on three things together: scoring in the written exam, building the personality the SSB tests, and maintaining the physical and medical fitness the academy demands. This guide breaks down all three, with a marks-driven study plan, subject-wise strategy, a daily timetable, and recommended books.

Know the Marks Before You Study

Smart preparation follows the marks. The written exam has two objective papers, Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT), each lasting 2.5 hours, with negative marking. The full pattern, as per the official notification, is below — the complete topic list is in the Syllabus section of this page, so here we focus only on where the marks are.

Paper / SectionMarksQuestionsNegative (per wrong)Mathematics300120−0.83GAT — English (Part A)20050−1.33GAT — General Knowledge (Part B)400100−1.33Written total900270—SSB Interview900——Grand total (merit)1800——

Approximate Weightage Within General Knowledge (GAT Part B)

GK SectionApprox. WeightageApprox. Marks (of 400)Physics~25%~100History, Freedom Movement, etc.~20%~80Geography~20%~80Chemistry~15%~60General Science~10%~40Current Events~10%~40

As per the UPSC notification, questions from these six sections carry approximately the weightages shown. The marks are derived and indicative — UPSC specifies approximate percentages, not a fixed marks split guaranteed every year.

The takeaway: Mathematics (300) is the largest single paper and carries its own qualifying standard, and within the GAT's General Knowledge, Physics (about 25%) plus History and Geography (about 20% each) make up the bulk of the GK weightage. Prioritise these and you cover most of the written exam.

A 90-Day Study Plan for NDA II 2026 (3 Phases)

With the NDA II 2026 written exam on 13 September 2026, this three-phase plan fits the runway. Early starters can stretch the same phases over a longer period.

• Phase 1 — Foundation (Days 1–35): Build core concepts. Cover Mathematics fundamentals — Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus first, since they are typically high-weight in previous-year papers (Days 1–20) — alongside the NCERT textbooks for Physics and Chemistry, Class 11–12 (Days 21–35). Start daily current-affairs note-making from Day 1.

• Phase 2 — Consolidation (Days 36–75): Go deeper subject by subject. Complete the remaining Maths topics (Coordinate Geometry, Matrices & Determinants, Statistics, Vector Algebra), finish History and Geography from NCERTs and standard GK books, cover General Science and Chemistry, and strengthen English grammar and vocabulary. Take a topic-wise test after every unit, and begin SSB personality work and physical training in parallel — these cannot be crammed at the end.

• Phase 3 — Revision & Mock (Days 76–90): Two full revisions of every subject, full-length timed mock tests under real exam conditions, and detailed error analysis. Reserve the final 4–5 days for revising your own notes and current affairs only — no new topics.

Subject-Wise Strategy (In Order of Marks)

Mathematics (300 marks): The highest-weighted paper, with its own qualifying cutoff, so it cannot be neglected. Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus are frequently high-weight topics based on previous-year NDA papers — master these first. Revise Class 11–12 mathematics thoroughly, then cover Matrices & Determinants, Analytical Geometry (2D and 3D), Vector Algebra, and Statistics & Probability. Keep a dedicated formula-and-shortcuts notebook, and solve previous-year papers daily to build speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Physics (~25% of GK, ~100 marks — biggest GK subject): Concentrate on Mechanics (motion, force, work, energy, power), as it is frequently among the most important areas in previous NDA papers, then Heat & Thermodynamics, Light & Sound, Electricity, and Magnetism. Understand concepts well enough to solve simple numericals; NCERT Class 11–12 is sufficient for the standard required.

History & Freedom Movement (~20% of GK, ~80 marks): Prioritise modern India and the freedom struggle — key movements, leaders, and dates — followed by ancient and medieval highlights and the basics of the Indian Constitution and polity. Build timelines for quick revision and learn events through context rather than rote cramming.

Geography (~20% of GK, ~80 marks): Cover physical geography (landforms, climate, rivers, atmosphere), Indian geography (relief, drainage, agriculture, resources), and world geography. Practise with maps actively — annotating maps significantly improves recall.

Chemistry (~15% of GK, ~60 marks): Focus on the basics of physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry from NCERT — atomic structure, chemical bonding, acids and bases, and everyday-life chemistry are recurring areas. Make short notes of important reactions and definitions for revision.

General Science (~10% of GK, ~40 marks): Largely biology and everyday science — cell structure, human and plant physiology, reproduction, nutrition, and common scientific phenomena. NCERT Class 9–10 covers most of it.

Current Events (~10% of GK, ~40 marks): Track national and international affairs, defence and military news, important appointments, awards, sports, and government schemes. A daily newspaper plus a monthly compilation is enough; recent events (roughly the last 12 months) matter most.

English (200 marks): A steady, high-return scorer. Build vocabulary daily (synonyms, antonyms, idioms), revise grammar rules, and practise comprehension, error-spotting, and sentence-improvement sets. Reading a newspaper daily improves both English and Current Events together.

The school-study advantage: NDA aspirants are usually in Class 11–12, and the entire syllabus sits at NCERT Class 10–12 level — so your board preparation in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, History, and Geography directly doubles as NDA preparation. Treat the two as one effort.

Negative-Marking & Attempt Strategy

Every wrong answer costs you — 0.83 marks in Mathematics and 1.33 in the GAT — so accuracy beats volume. Attempt questions you are confident about and those where you can eliminate options down to a strong choice; skip pure blind guesses, because a few careless wrong answers can wipe out the marks from several correct ones. Due to negative marking, candidates with higher accuracy often perform better than those attempting too many uncertain questions. Make accuracy the first rule and build speed second.

SSB Interview — The 5-Day Process

The SSB is a personality assessment, not a knowledge test, and it screens for Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) such as reasoning, leadership, decision-making, and emotional stability. It runs over five days in two stages:

• Stage 1 — Day 1 (Screening): the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test (verbal and non-verbal reasoning) and the Picture Perception & Description Test (PPDT), where you write a story from a picture and then narrate and discuss it in a group. A large share of candidates is screened out here, making it the most decisive day.

• Stage 2 — Days 2–5: Psychological tests on Day 2 — Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and Self-Description; Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks across Days 3–4, including group discussion, group planning, progressive group tasks, command task, and the group obstacle race; the Personal Interview; and the Board Conference on Day 5.

How to prepare: begin alongside your written prep, not after the result. Practise PPDT narration and group discussion with peers, attempt the psychology tests within strict time limits and answer naturally rather than faking ideal responses, follow current affairs for the interview and discussion, and build the stamina the GTO ground demands.

Physical Fitness & Medical Readiness

Many candidates clear the written exam only to be filtered out at the SSB ground tasks or the medical examination. Start early: build running stamina (aim to run 2–3 km comfortably), basic strength (push-ups, pull-ups, squats), and a healthy height-to-weight ratio. Address correctable issues such as vision well in advance. Medical standards vary by service (Army, Navy, Air Force) and are updated periodically, so check the latest UPSC NDA notification for the exact vision, physical, and medical eligibility requirements. A daily fitness routine pays off at both the SSB and the medical stage.

Daily Timetable (Sample)

A realistic schedule for a serious aspirant — adjust the blocks around school or college hours.

TimeActivity5:30 – 6:30 AMPhysical training — running and basic exercises7:00 – 8:30 AMMathematics — concept study and problem practice9:00 – 10:30 AMGAT General Knowledge — rotate Physics, History, Geography, Chemistry11:00 AM – 12:00 PMEnglish — grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension4:00 – 5:00 PMPrevious-year papers and topic-wise tests6:00 – 7:00 PMCurrent affairs reading and note-making8:00 – 9:30 PMRevision, daily mock analysis, or SSB personality practice

Best Books & Official Resources

• Mathematics: Mathematics for NDA & NA by R.S. Aggarwal; Arihant's Pathfinder for NDA & NA for overall coverage.

• English: Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant); Wren & Martin High School English Grammar; Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.

• Physics & Chemistry: NCERT (Class 11–12) and NCERT Exemplar.

• History, Geography & General Knowledge: Lucent's General Knowledge; NCERTs (Class 9–12).

• Current Affairs: a daily newspaper plus a monthly competition magazine.

• Official: always cross-check the syllabus and pattern against the UPSC official notification.

How to Crack NDA in the First Attempt

• Follow the marks — give Mathematics and the high-weight GK subjects (Physics, History, Geography) the most time.

• Make accuracy your first rule, then build speed, given the negative marking.

• Solve previous-year papers and full-length mocks regularly, and analyse every wrong answer.

• Begin SSB personality work and physical training from day one, not after the written result.

• Stay consistent — focused daily study over months beats last-minute marathons.

📌 Note: The current active cycle is NDA II 2026, with the written exam on 13 September 2026. This page will be updated as official information is published on upsc.gov.in.

Last updated: 15 June 2026. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by UPSC. For official details, always refer to the UPSC website and the official notification.

The NDA cut off is the minimum mark a candidate must secure to clear each stage of selection. For every cycle (NDA I and NDA II), UPSC releases two separate cut offs, after the final result: the Written Exam Cut Off (out of 900) — the aggregate needed to qualify for the SSB Interview — and the Final Cut Off (out of 1800) — the combined written + SSB score of the last recommended candidate.

The NDA II 2026 cut off will be published by UPSC only after the final result, following the 13 September 2026 written exam and the subsequent SSB Interviews. Until then, the official previous-year cut offs below are the most reliable benchmark. The NDA cut off is common to all three services (Army, Navy, Air Force) and the Naval Academy, and — unlike some exams — there are no separate SC/ST/OBC category cut offs.

The figures below are an estimate based on previous years' trends, not official numbers. The actual NDA II 2026 cut off will be released by UPSC after the final result.

Treat these as planning targets only. A written-exam score of around 380+ out of 900 keeps you comfortably above the historic cut off range.

The table below lists UPSC's official NDA cut off marks for the last five cycles — both the written exam cut off (out of 900) and the final cut off (out of 1800).

Note: From NDA II 2025, UPSC has reported separate cut offs for male (M) and female (F) candidates; the female cut off is higher owing to the limited vacancies reserved for women. Confirm exact figures against the official UPSC cut off PDF on upsc.gov.in.

The NDA cut off is calculated after the exam, based on actual performance and vacancies, so it shifts every cycle. The main factors:

Clear patterns emerge from the NDA previous-year cut off data:

• The written cut off has stayed within a band of roughly 290 to 360 out of 900 over the last five years, so a written score in the high 300s is a safe target.
• The final cut off has ranged from about 654 to 726 out of 1800 (excluding the higher female-specific figures).
• NDA I and NDA II cut offs are not predictably higher or lower than each other — each depends on that cycle's paper difficulty and vacancies, so don't assume one session is easier.
• NDA I 2024 recorded the lowest written cut off in the window (291), reflecting a tougher paper that year.
• Since women's induction, the female cut off has been notably higher than the male cut off, so female aspirants should target a higher score.
• Clearing the per-subject minimum is mandatory — a high aggregate is wasted if either Maths or GAT falls below the sectional cut.

Use the trends to set a realistic, data-driven target rather than chasing an exact predicted number:

• Aim for 380+ out of 900 in the written exam to stay comfortably above the historic cut off range and secure the SSB call.
• Balance Maths and GAT — never let either subject dip near the sectional minimum.
• In the SSB Interview (900 marks), a solid score combined with a strong written total significantly improves final-merit position.
• Female aspirants should target higher, given the elevated female cut off in recent cycles.
• Confirm the official figure each cycle from the UPSC cut off PDF on upsc.gov.in — post-result figures are the only authoritative source.