What Is the Syllabus of the NDA Exam? A Section-by-Section Breakdown by EMGC Classes
By EMGC Classes | Andheri · Borivali · Vasai, Mumbai
Before you start preparing for the NDA exam, you need absolute clarity on what it actually tests. The UPSC-conducted National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination has two papers covering Mathematics and General Ability — and knowing the exact topic-wise breakdown is what separates a focused study plan from random, scattered revision. Here's the complete NDA syllabus, explained the way we teach it at EMGC Classes.
Exam Pattern Overview
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1: Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 hours |
| Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2.5 hours |
Negative marking applies on both papers, so guessing without elimination can hurt your score. After the written exam, qualified candidates move to the SSB Interview (a 5-day intelligence and personality assessment) and a final medical examination.
Paper 1: Mathematics Syllabus
- Algebra — Sets, relations, complex numbers, quadratic equations, binomial theorem, logarithms
- Matrices and Determinants — Operations, properties, and applications
- Trigonometry — Ratios, identities, inverse functions, and applications to height and distance
- Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D) — Lines, circles, conic sections, planes, and straight lines in three dimensions
- Differential Calculus — Limits, continuity, differentiability, and derivatives
- Integral Calculus and Differential Equations — Integration techniques, definite integrals, and basic differential equations
- Vector Algebra — Vector operations, dot and cross products
- Statistics and Probability — Frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, basic probability theory
EMGC tip: Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus together form the bulk of Paper 1. At EMGC Classes, we sequence these three chapters first in our NDA batches, since strength here builds the speed needed for the rest of the syllabus.
Paper 2: General Ability Test (GAT) Syllabus
GAT is split into two parts — English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks).
Part A – English: Grammar and usage, vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, comprehension, cohesion, and ordering of words/sentences.
Part B – General Knowledge:
- Physics — Motion, force, heat, light, sound, electricity, and basic modern physics
- Chemistry — Physical and chemical changes, elements, compounds, mixtures, and everyday chemistry
- General Science — Basic biology, common diseases, and scientific discoveries
- History & Freedom Movement — Indian history with emphasis on the freedom struggle and the Constitution
- Geography — Physical geography, Indian geography, and basic world geography
- Current Events — National and international events of importance, especially defence-related news
Important Dates to Plan Your Syllabus Coverage Around
| Milestone | Expected Date |
| NDA 1 2027 Notification | Around 2 December 2026 |
| NDA 1 2027 Written Exam | Expected April 2027 |
| NDA 2 2027 Notification | Expected May 2027 |
| NDA 2 2027 Written Exam | Expected September 2027 |
EMGC tip: With roughly four months between notification and exam, treat the syllabus as a checklist, not a suggestion. At EMGC Classes, we map every topic above to a weekly target so nothing gets left for last-minute cramming — especially General Knowledge, which is far too wide to revise in the final week.
How EMGC Classes Covers the Full NDA Syllabus
- Chapter-wise Mathematics coverage with topic tests after every unit
- Structured GK modules across Physics, Chemistry, History, and Geography
- Weekly current affairs sessions focused on defence and national events
- English grammar and comprehension practice integrated into every batch
- Full-length mock tests mapped exactly to the real NDA pattern and marking scheme
Knowing the syllabus is only step one — converting it into a structured, deadline-driven study plan is what gets you through the written exam and into SSB. That's the exact transition we help every student make at EMGC Classes.
