Complete Guide to NDA Exam 2025: Syllabus, Pattern, and Preparation Tips

The National Defence Academy is a premier institution of the Indian armed forces that trains officers of all services, namely the army, navy, and air force. The NDA is located in Pune, Maharashtra, and is one of the largest military academis in the world. The NDA selection process includes a written examination, an interview, a medical examination, and service-specific training.

The NDA curriculum is designed to provide cadets with a sound academic foundation to prepare them for the challenges of military life. The academic Programme at the NDA includes subjects like English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, general studies, and military studies. The NDA also provides training in physical fitness, sports, and extracurricular activities.

NDA Exam 2025: Key Details

NDA Exam Pattern 2025

The exam paper of the NDA written exam is divided into two parts, GAT and Mathematics. All the questions in the exam will be objective type.

NDA Maths Syllabus

The key topics covered in the NDA Mathematics syllabus include Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Vectors, and Probability. The syllabus spans Class 11–12 topics, divided into eight units, below is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus:

Unit I:

Understanding the concepts of algebra, solving quadratic equations, simplifying expressions, and more.

Unit II:

Concepts related to matrices, types of matrices, matrix operations, and determinants

Unit III:

Important trigonometric functions, identities, and their applications in solving problems.

Unit IV:

Analyzing points, lines, and curves on the coordinate plane, including distance formula, section formula, and equation of straight lines.

Unit V:

Basic concepts of limits, derivatives, and their applications.

Unit VI :

This unit focuses on the basic concepts of integration, including methods of integration, the calculation of definite integrals, and the application of integration in solving real-world problems like finding areas,

Unit VII:

Understanding vector quantities, operations on vectors, and applications in geometry.

Unit VIII:

• An introduction to the concepts of mean, median, mode, probability theory, and their application to various problems.
• Key concepts related to probability, including random events, probability distributions, and their use in calculations.

GAT Exam Pattern

The General Ability Test (GAT) is an essential part of the NDA examination, consisting of two main parts: Part A - English and Part B - General Knowledge. The GAT assesses the candidate's proficiency in English and general knowledge, covering various subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.

The UPSC conducts the NDA exam twice a year (NDA 1 & NDA 2) for selecting cadets.The exam consist of Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT), followed by the SSB interview and Medical examination.

Difference between ( NDA Ⅰ ) and ( NDA Ⅱ )

The NDA 1 exam and NDA 2 exam refer to two separate sessions of the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam, which is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for admission into the National Defence Academy in India. The NDA is a prestigious institution for training cadets for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Here’s a breakdown of the two exams:

1. NDA I Exam:
   • Held once a year, usually around April.
   • The NDA I exam is for candidates who wish to join the NDA in the following year.
   • NDA I 2025 exam will be held on April 13, 2025.
2. NDA II Exam:
   • Held once a year, typically around September.
   • The NDA II exam is for candidates who missed NDA I or those who plan to join the academy later in the same year.
   • NDA II 2025 exam will be held on September 14, 2025.

The only difference is the time of year when they are held. The eligibility criteria and syllabus remain the same for both exams.

Tips for Preparing for NDA

Here are 5 key tips for preparing for the NDA exam:

1. Understand the Syllabus: Focus on Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus) and GAT (English, General Knowledge, Current Affairs).
2. Practice Regularly: Solve previous years’ papers, take mock tests, and work on speed and accuracy, especially for Mathematics.
3. Refer to NCERT and Good Books: Use NCERT textbooks for foundational knowledge and reference books like R.S. Aggarwal for Mathematics and Lucent’s for General Knowledge.
4. Stay Physically Fit: Regular physical exercise and practice for the SSB Interview and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) is important.
5. Stay Consistent and Positive: Stick to a study plan, stay updated on current affairs, and maintain a positive mindset throughout the preparation.