March 26, 20267 min read

NDA Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2025: Maths, GAT and SSB Interview Process

Complete NDA exam pattern covering Mathematics paper (300 marks), GAT paper (600 marks), SSB 5-day interview procedure, and total marks breakdown for Army, Navy and Air Force.

NDA exam pattern syllabus SSB interview UPSC defence

NDA (National Defence Academy) written exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year. It's the gateway to the Army, Navy, and Air Force for unmarried male candidates (and now unmarried female candidates following the Supreme Court order from November 2021). The selection process combines a written exam with a rigorous 5-day SSB interview.

Understanding the marks distribution clearly — because the gap between written exam and SSB interview is massive — is essential for planning your preparation strategy.

NDA Written Examination — Overview

Paper	Subject	Duration	Marks
Paper I	Mathematics	2.5 hours	300
Paper II	General Ability Test (GAT)	2.5 hours	600
Total Written	5 hours	900

Negative marking: 1/3 of allotted marks per wrong answer.

For Maths (120 questions, 300 marks): +2.5 per correct, -0.833 per wrong.
For GAT (150 questions, 600 marks): +4 per correct, -1.33 per wrong.

Paper I — Mathematics (300 marks)

120 questions | 2.5 hours

The Mathematics paper is at approximately Class 11-12 level. Many candidates underestimate it — the topics go beyond what a casual 12th pass student knows.

Mathematics Syllabus

Algebra

Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws
Cartesian product, relation and function
Real numbers, complex numbers, modulus, argument
Cube root of unity
Binary system of numbers
Arithmetic, geometric and harmonic progressions
Quadratic equations, linear inequations, permutation and combination
Binomial theorem, logarithms

Matrices and Determinants

Types of matrices, operations on matrices
Determinant of a matrix, basic properties
Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix, applications

Trigonometry

Angles and their measures, trigonometric ratios
Trigonometric identities, applications
Height and distance problems
Properties of triangles
Inverse trigonometric functions

Analytical Geometry

2D: Rectangular Cartesian coordinate system, distance formula, equation of various lines, circles, parabola, ellipse, hyperbola
3D: Distance formula, direction cosines and ratios, equation of a plane

Differential Calculus

Concept of real-valued function, domain, range, graph
Limits, continuity, differentiation
Derivatives of various types of functions
Application: tangent and normal, increasing/decreasing functions, maxima and minima
Rolle's theorem, mean value theorem

Integral Calculus and Differential Equations

Integration as inverse of differentiation
Standard integrals, integration by substitution, by parts
Definite integrals — application (area under curves)
Formation and solution of differential equations

Vector Algebra

Vectors in 2D and 3D, position vector, magnitude and direction
Unit vector, dot product, cross product, scalar triple product

Statistics and Probability

Frequency distribution, cumulative frequency, histogram
Mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation
Random experiment, outcomes, events
Classical and statistical probability
Binomial distribution, Bayes theorem

Paper II — General Ability Test (GAT) (600 marks)

150 questions | 2.5 hours

The GAT has two sections:

Part	Subject	Questions	Marks
Part A	English	50	200
Part B	General Knowledge	100	400

Part A — English (200 marks)

Grammar: correct usage, errors, fill in blanks
Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms
Comprehension (reading passages)
Cohesion: rearrangement of sentences, para formation

Part B — General Knowledge (400 marks)

This is further divided into sections:

Physics (~25% of GK marks)

Physical properties and states of matter
Mass, weight, volume, density, specific gravity
Archimedes principle, pressure barometer
Motion of objects: Newton's laws, velocity, acceleration
Work, power, energy
Heat effects, change of state, latent heat, specific heat
Sound waves, properties of sound
Rectilinear propagation of light, reflection, refraction
Human eye, natural phenomena (lightning, earthquakes)
Electrical circuit, conductors, insulators, magnetism

Chemistry

Physical and chemical changes
Elements, mixtures, compounds
Symbols, formulae, chemical equations
Properties of air, water, hydrogen, oxygen
Carbon, its forms and compounds
Atoms, molecules, atomic structure
Fertilizers, natural and artificial
Materials used in everyday life

General Science

Difference between living and non-living things
Basis of life: cells, protoplasm, tissues
Plant and animal nutrition, reproduction
Elementary knowledge of human body, common diseases
Food sources, balanced diet, vitamins

History, Freedom Movement

Ancient civilizations (Indus Valley, Vedic, Mauryan, Gupta)
Medieval period (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Maratha)
British India, causes of Revolt of 1857
Indian National Congress, important leaders
Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India movements
Constitution-making and Independence

Geography

Earth: shape, size, movements (rotation, revolution)
Latitude, longitude, time zones
Rocks and their classification
Weathering and erosion, volcanoes, earthquakes
Ocean currents, tides, atmosphere
Cyclones, anticyclones, humidity, condensation
India: climate, vegetation, soil types, rivers, mountains
Mineral resources, agriculture, industries, transport

Current Affairs and General Knowledge

Recent events in India and world
Political map awareness
Sports, arts and culture, awards
Major organizations and institutions
Important personalities and their contributions
Indian defence forces: rank structure, prominent personalities

SSB Interview — 5-Day Procedure

Candidates who clear the written exam cutoff are called for SSB (Services Selection Board) interview. The SSB is conducted at designated SSB centres in Allahabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Mysore, Kapurthala, and Coimbatore.

SSB Marks: 900 (equal to the written exam total)

5-Day SSB Schedule

Day 1: Screening Test

Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test — verbal and non-verbal intelligence
Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT): A hazy picture is shown for 30 seconds. Candidate writes a story about it, then narrates it in a group discussion.
Based on this, candidates are screened in (conference done on Day 1 afternoon). Those screened out return home.

Day 2: Psychological Tests

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): 12 pictures + 1 blank. Write a story for each.
Word Association Test (WAT): 60 words shown at 15-second intervals. Write first thought.
Situation Reaction Test (SRT): 60 situations. Write practical response.
Self Description Test (SDT): Views of parents, teachers, friends, and your own self-view.

Days 3 & 4: Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks

Group Discussion (2 discussions — social issue + abstract topic)
Group Planning Exercise (GPE)
Progressive Group Task (PGT) — outdoor obstacle task
Half Group Task (HGT)
Individual Obstacles (10 obstacles)
Command Task (you command 2-3 candidates across obstacles)
Final Group Task (FGT)
Lecturette (3-minute talk on chosen topic from 4 options)

Day 4 (evening): Personal Interview

30-45 minute interview by an interviewing officer
Covers family background, schooling, hobbies, current affairs, reason for joining NDA, leadership examples

Day 5: Conference

All three assessors (GTO, Interviewer, Psychologist) discuss each candidate together
Final recommendation: Recommended (R) or Not Recommended (NR)
Marks given: Personality Assessment + Interview + Psychology

Marks Summary

Component	Marks
Written Exam (Math + GAT)	900
SSB Interview	900
Grand Total	1800

Recommended candidates go through medical examination. The merit list for NDA is prepared based on written + SSB marks (medical is qualifying).

FAQ

What is the minimum score to clear SSB in NDA?

There is no official disclosed minimum SSB score. SSB is scored out of 900. The combined merit list is based on written + SSB marks. However, candidates who score very low in SSB are rarely recommended regardless of written score.

Can girls apply for NDA?

Yes, following the Supreme Court order of November 2021, unmarried female candidates meeting the eligibility criteria can now apply for NDA. The UPSC notification specifies the applicable criteria each cycle.

What is the validity of an NDA written exam qualification?

There is no carry-forward validity. If you clear the written exam in a particular cycle, you must attend SSB in that cycle. The next NDA cycle starts fresh.

What happens after SSB — how long does medical take?

After SSB recommendation, candidates are called for medical examination at designated Military Hospitals. The medical board reviews hearing, vision, orthopaedic fitness, and general health. The process typically takes 2-5 days.

Stay updated on NDA notification dates, SSB centre allotments, and merit list releases at SarkariNaukriHub.