The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is a prestigious and highly competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This examination is a gateway for young aspirants to pursue a career in the armed forces. Although it is a competitive exam with rigorous practice, you can crack the exam like butter. In this blog, we will state the NDA Exam syllabus. Cleared concepts help to ace the exam smoothly.
Table of Contents
Fun Fact about NDA: The four subjects that cadets studied at the National War Academy were represented by an eagle, an anchor, a sword, and a quill pen in the National Defence Academy’s original logo.
NDA Exam Syllabus 2024⬇️
Below, you can find the NDA Exam Syllabus subject-wise and in detail.
NDA Mathematics Syllabus📝
Following are the chapters that are covered in the mathematics syllabus.
Mathematics | |
Topic | Topic-wise Syllabus |
Calculus | Concept of a real-valued function, domain, range, and graph of a function. Composite functions, one-to-one, onto, and inverse functions. The notion of limit, Standard limits, Continuity of functions, algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative of function at a point, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative-application. Derivatives of sum, product, and quotient of functions, a derivative of a function concerning another function, the derivative of a composite function. Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima |
Algebra | Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Real numbers, Complex numbers, Modulus, Cube roots, Conversion of a number in Binary system to Decimals, and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations, Linear inequations, permutation and Combination, Binomial theorem, and Logarithms. |
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—determination of areas of plane regions bounded by curves—applications.Definition of order and degree of a differential equation, formation of a differential equation by examples. General and particular solution of differential equations, solution of the first order, and first-degree differential equations of various types—examples. Application in problems of growth and decay. |
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. |
Vector Algebra | Vectors in two and three dimensions, magnitude, and direction of a vector. Unit and null vectors, the addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar product, or dot product of two vectors. Vector product or cross product of two vectors. Applications—work done by a force and moment of a force and in geometrical problems. |
Trigonometry | Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios. Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications-Height and distance, properties of triangles. |
Statistics and Probability | 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. Definition of probability—classical and statistical—examples. Elementary theorems on probability—simple problems. Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem—simple problems. Random variable as function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binomial distribution. |
Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension | Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system. Distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms. The angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and a general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. Point in a three-dimensional space, the 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. The angle between two lines and the angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere. |
Distribution of Marks – NDA Maths📖
Below you can find the subject-wise distribution of marks in the given table.
Topic | Questions |
Calculus | 20-25 |
Quadratic equation | 20-15 |
Matrices & Determinants | 30 |
Probability | 10 |
Trigonometry | 30 |
Complex number | 10-15 |
NDA General Ability Test (GTA) Syllabus📔
There are two papers in GTA, i.e. English and General Knowledge. The English paper carries 200 Marks and the General Knowledge paper carries 400 Marks.
NDA Syllabus- English📖
Below you can find the syllabus for NDA English examination.
Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
Spotting Errors | 5 | 20 |
Comprehension | 6 | 24 |
Selecting Words | 10 | 40 |
Ordering of Words in a Sentence | 9 | 36 |
Sentence Improvement | 10 | 40 |
Antonyms | 5 | 20 |
Synonyms | 5 | 20 |
Total | 50 | 200 |
Also Read: How to Prepare for Competitive Exams?
NDA Syllabus General Knowledge📝
Following is the NDA General Knowledge examination syllabus.
Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
Physics | 23 | 92 |
Chemistry | 16 | 64 |
General Science | 11 | 44 |
History & Freedom Movement | 16 | 64 |
Geography | 17 | 68 |
Current Affairs | 17 | 68 |
Total | 100 | 400 |
NDA Syllabus History, Freedom Movement⬇️
Here you can find the syllabus for the History, Freedom Movement paper.
- Forces shaping the modern world;
- Renaissance
- Exploration and Discovery;
- A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation
- Freedom Movement in India
- French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution
- War of American Independence,
- Impact of Science and Technology on Society
- Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration
- Concept of one World
- Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India
- United Nations,
- Panchsheel,
- Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism and Communism
- Role of India in the present world
- Co-operatives and Community Development
- Bhoodan, Sarvodaya,
- National Integration and Welfare State
- Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi
NDA Syllabus Geography📔
Here you can find the syllabus for Geography paper.
- The Earth, its shape and size
- Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition
- Latitudes and Longitudes
- Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation
- Concept of time
- Types of Climate
- International Date Line
- Major Natural Regions of the World
- Movements of Earth and their effects
- Regional Geography of India
- Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources;
- Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities
- Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification
- Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India
- Weathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes
- Main items of Imports and Exports of India
Current Events📔
Here you can find the syllabus for the Current Events paper.
- Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years.
- Prominent personalities of both Indian and International level
- Cultural activities and sports activities
- Current important world events.
NDA Syllabus General Science📔
Here you can find the syllabus for General Science paper.
- Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention
- Difference between the living and non-living
- Food—Source of Energy for man
- Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues
- Constituents of food
- Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals
- Balanced Diet
- Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs
- The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists
NDA Syllabus For Physics📔
- Physical Properties and States of Matter
- Modes of transference of Heat
- Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties
- Simple musical instruments
- Rectilinear propagation of Light
- Density and Specific Gravity
- Reflection and refraction
- Principle of Archimedes
- Spherical mirrors and Lenses
- Pressure Barometer
- Human Eye
- Motion of objects
- Natural and Artificial Magnets
- Velocity and Acceleration
- Properties of a Magnet
- Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Earth as a Magnet
- Force and Momentum
- Static and Current Electricity
- Parallelogram of Forces
- Conductors and Non-conductors
- Stability and Equilibrium of bodies
- Ohm’s Law
- Gravitation
- Simple Electrical Circuits
- Elementary ideas of work
- Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current
- Power and Energy
- Measurement of Electrical Power
- Effects of Heat
- Primary and Secondary Cells
- Measurement of Temperature and Heat
- Use of X-Rays
- General Principles in the working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightning Conductors, Safety Fuses.
NDA Syllabus Chemistry📖
Here you can find the syllabus for the Chemistry paper.
- Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction.
- Acids, bases and salts.
- Carbon— different forms
- Physical and Chemical Changes
- Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial
- Elements
- Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gunpowder
- Mixtures and Compounds
- Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom
- Symbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical Equation
- Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights
- Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems)
- Valency
- Properties of Air and Water
Intelligence and Personality Test📝
Below you can find the NDA SSB Personality Test syllabus.
NDA SSB Personality Test | |
Stage I | Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT). |
Stage II | Interview (IO) Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO) Psychology Tests (Psych)Conference |
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FAQs
Majorly there are two papers in NDA exam , Paper 1: Mathematics (300 marks) and Paper 2: General Ability Test (600 marks). Further, there are different subjects in these papers.
No biology is not a compulsory subject in the National Defence Academy (NDA) examination.
It is a requirement to study mathematics, if you plan to join the Airforce or Naval wing.
This was all about the “NDA Exam Syllabus 2024: Subject-wise Syllabus”. For more such informative blogs, check out our Defense Exams Section, or you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page.