NDA 2026 Syllabus

The NDA 2026 (National Defense Academy) exam is a prestigious opportunity for candidates aspiring to pursue a career in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

This exam is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and is held twice a year: NDA 1 and NDA 2. It's important for candidates preparing for the NDA 2026 exam to have a thorough understanding of the syllabus. A proper syllabus helps you prepare and ensures you don't miss any important topics.

In this article, we'll provide detailed information about the NDA 2026 syllabus to help you get your exam preparation underway.

👉 Download Full PDF - NDA Detailed Syllabus 2026

General Overview of the NDA 2026 Syllabus

The NDA exam is primarily divided into two parts:

Written Exam
SSB Interview (which is only for candidates who pass the written exam)

The written exam consists of two major subjects:

Mathematics
General Studies (General Ability Test – GAT)

NDA Maths Syllabus:

The Mathematics paper measures a candidate's mathematical skills and computational ability. This paper consists of 120 questions and carries 300 marks.

This subject is based on the Class 11 and 12 syllabus and covers the following core topics:The chapters covered for the NDA Maths Syllabus are given in the table below.

Chapter	Topics
Algebra	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.
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.
Differential Calculus	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.
Integral Calculus and Differential Equations	Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions
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.
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.
Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions	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 general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. In a three-dimensional space, the distance between two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of 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.
Statistics	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 a function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binomial distribution.
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 a function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binomial distribution.

NDA GAT (General Ability Test) Syllabus:

The General Ability Test comprises two parts: English and General Knowledge. The English part consists of 200 Marks while the General Knowledge is of 400 Marks.

NDA Syllabus- English:

The English question paper will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English. The syllabus covers various aspects as given below:

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

NDA Syllabus- General Knowledge:

Subject	Topics
Physics	Physical Properties and States of Matter, Modes of Transference of Heat, Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound Waves, Density and Specific Gravity, Reflection and Refraction, Principle of Archimedes, Spherical Mirrors and Lenses, Pressure, Barometer, Human Eye, Motion of Objects, Magnets (Natural and Artificial), Velocity, Acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force, Momentum, Static and Current Electricity, Conductors and Non-Conductors, Stability and Equilibrium of Bodies, Ohm’s Law, Gravitation, Simple Electrical Circuits, Work, Heating, Lighting, Magnetic Effects of Current, Power, Energy Measurement of Electrical Power, Primary and Secondary Cells, Temperature and Heat Measurement, Use of X-Rays, 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.
Chemistry	Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction, Acids, Bases and Salts, Carbon (Different Forms), Physical and Chemical Changes, Fertilizers (Natural and Artificial), Materials for Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gunpowder, Mixtures and Compounds, Structure of Atom, Symbols, Formulae, Simple Chemical Equations, Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems), Valency, Properties of Air and Water.
General Science	Common Epidemics, Their Causes and Prevention, Difference Between Living and Non-Living, Food (Source of Energy for Humans), 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 Important Organs, Solar System, Meteors and Comets, Eclipses, Achievements of Eminent Scientists.
History & Freedom Movement	Forces Shaping the Modern World, Renaissance, Exploration and Discovery, Survey of Indian History (Emphasis on Culture and Civilization), Freedom Movement in India, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Russian Revolution, War of American Independence, Impact of Science and Technology on Society, Indian Constitution and Administration (Elementary Study), Concept of One World, Knowledge of Five Year Plans in India, United Nations, Panchsheel, Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism, Communism, Role of India in the World, Co-operatives and Community Development, Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration, Welfare State, Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
Geography	The Earth, Shape and Size, Ocean Currents and Tides, The Atmosphere and its Composition, Latitudes and Longitudes, Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, 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, Agricultural and Industrial Activities, Origin of Earth, Rocks and Their Classification, Important Seaports and Main Sea, Land, and Air Routes of India, Weathering (Mechanical and Chemical), Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Imports and Exports of India.
Current Affairs	Knowledge of Important Events in India in Recent Years, Prominent Personalities of India and International Level, Cultural Activities, Sports Activities, Current Important World Events.

NDA Syllabus- General Knowledge: Topic-wise Weightage

Check the topic-wise number of questions and mark distribution in the table below.

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 Events	17	68
Total	100	400

SSB (Intelligence and Personality Test)

The SSB procedure consists of two stages. Only those candidates who clear the written exam are permitted to appear for SSB round. The details of SSB exam are given below: