NDA Syllabus 2026: Maths and GAT Topic-wise Syllabus

The NDA syllabus is set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and published in every NDA & NA notification. The written exam has two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test, or GAT (600 marks). Candidates who qualify then face the SSB Intelligence and Personality Test for another 900 marks.

This guide explains the complete NDA syllabus 2026–27 based on the official UPSC notification for NDA II 2026. It covers the Mathematics topics, the English and General Knowledge parts of GAT, the official section-wise weightage of GK, the SSB stages, the most important topics and a preparation plan for NDA I 2027, which will be held on 11 April 2027.

Table of Contents

NDA Syllabus 2026 at a Glance

All written questions are objective, with four options. One-third of the marks for a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Mathematics and the GK part of GAT are set in both Hindi and English, while the English part is in English only. Calculators and log tables are not allowed.

NDA Mathematics Syllabus (Paper I)

The Mathematics paper covers eight units, mostly at the Class 11 and 12 level.

High-Priority Maths Topics

Algebra, trigonometry, calculus (differential and integral) and matrices together usually make up a large share of the paper. Probability and statistics, analytical geometry and vectors follow. Since the paper has 120 questions in 150 minutes, you get about 75 seconds per question, so speed matters as much as accuracy.

NDA General Ability Test (Paper II)

GAT carries 600 marks and has two parts: English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks).

Part A: English Syllabus (200 Marks)

UPSC says the English paper tests understanding of English and "workmanlike use of words". It covers:

Part B: General Knowledge Syllabus (400 Marks)

The official notification divides GK into six sections and gives an approximate weightage for each.

Physics alone carries a quarter of the GK marks, which makes it the single most important GK subject.

Section A: Physics

Properties and states of matter; mass, weight, volume, density; Archimedes' principle; pressure; motion, velocity and acceleration; Newton's laws; force and momentum; gravitation; work, power and energy; heat and temperature; sound; reflection and refraction of light, mirrors, lenses and the human eye; magnetism; static and current electricity, Ohm's law and electric circuits; X-rays; and the working of simple devices such as the pendulum, pulleys, siphon, levers, pressure cooker, periscope, telescope, microscope, compass and safety fuses.

Section B: Chemistry

Physical and chemical changes; elements, mixtures and compounds; symbols, formulae and chemical equations; properties of air and water; hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide; oxidation and reduction; acids, bases and salts; forms of carbon; fertilisers; materials used in soap, glass, ink, paper, cement, paints, matches and gunpowder; atomic structure, atomic and molecular weights and valency.

Section C: General Science

Living and non-living things; cells and tissues; growth and reproduction in plants and animals; the human body and its organs; common epidemics and their prevention; food, nutrients and balanced diet; the solar system, meteors, comets and eclipses; achievements of eminent scientists.

Section D: History, Freedom Movement and Polity

A survey of Indian history and culture; the Indian freedom movement; the Indian Constitution and administration; Five-Year Plans; Panchayati Raj and cooperatives; Bhoodan, Sarvodaya and Gandhian ideas; world history, including the Renaissance, the American, French, Industrial and Russian Revolutions; the United Nations, Panchsheel, and India's role in the world.

Section E: Geography

The Earth's shape, latitudes, longitudes and time; movements of the Earth; rocks, weathering, earthquakes and volcanoes; ocean currents and tides; atmosphere, winds, cyclones and climate; natural regions of the world; India's climate, vegetation, minerals, agriculture and industry; major ports, transport routes, imports and exports.

Section F: Current Events

Important recent events in India and the world, and prominent Indian and international personalities, including those from culture and sports.

NDA SSB Syllabus (Stage 2)

Candidates who clear the written exam appear before a Services Selection Board (SSB) for 900 marks.

Air Force candidates also take the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS). The SSB has no written syllabus. It assesses officer-like qualities through the tests conducted by the interviewing officer, the group testing officer and the psychologist.

NDA Syllabus vs Class 12 Board Syllabus

Students preparing for Class 12 boards along with NDA have an advantage in Mathematics, because most NDA Maths topics come from the Class 11 and 12 syllabus. The main differences are:

GAT is quite different from school exams. The GK part covers school-level science and social studies, but questions come from all classes (6 to 12) and also include current affairs.

Use UPSC's Previous Question Papers

UPSC uploads the question papers of each NDA exam on its website (upsc.gov.in) soon after the exam. For example, the NDA II 2026 Mathematics and GAT papers were uploaded on 14 September 2026. Solving these papers under timed conditions is the best way to understand how each syllabus topic is actually tested.

Common Mistakes While Preparing the NDA Syllabus

• Spending too long on Maths and ignoring GAT, which carries twice the marks

• Studying GK only from current affairs and skipping Physics, which has the highest weightage

• Relying on a calculator during practice, even though it is not allowed in the exam

• Attempting every question in the exam and losing marks to negative marking

• Leaving SSB preparation until after the written result

How to Prepare the NDA Syllabus

Mathematics

• Revise Class 11 and 12 NCERT Mathematics thoroughly. Most NDA questions test standard concepts.

• Learn shortcuts for trigonometric identities, matrices and determinants, and standard integrals.

• Practise at least 30–40 questions daily without a calculator.

• Solve past NDA papers to understand the level and the mix of topics.

English

• Revise grammar rules for tenses, articles, prepositions and subject-verb agreement.

• Learn five to ten new words a day, with synonyms and antonyms.

• Practise one comprehension passage and one sentence-ordering set every day.

General Knowledge

• Start with NCERT science books (Class 6–10) for Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

• Use NCERT history, geography and polity books for Sections D and E.

• Give Physics extra time because it carries 25% of the GK marks.

• Read a newspaper daily and revise monthly current affairs for the last 6–8 months before the exam.

NDA Syllabus Study Plan for NDA I 2027

With about six months left until 11 April 2027, a simple plan is:

Practise with Mock Tests

Knowing the NDA syllabus is only the first step. Timed mock tests help you finish 120 Maths questions and 150 GAT questions within 150 minutes each, and teach you to avoid negative marking. On Testkart, educators publish online tests and study material for defence exams, which you can use for timed practice.

The NDA syllabus 2026 covers Class 11–12 Mathematics, English, and a broad General Knowledge paper in which Physics, History and Geography carry the most marks. Follow the official UPSC topic list, give priority to high-weightage areas, and practise with timed mocks before NDA I 2027 on 11 April 2027.