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NDA Syllabus 2025: Download PDF for NDA 1 Maths, GAT Subjects

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Shiwani Kumari

NDA Syllabus 2025 is released by UPSC. The NDA notification has been released on 11th December 2024. Along with the notification, the NDA 1 syllabus is also released. The syllabus consists of two papers, Mathematics and General Aptitude Test (GAT). This article gives you detailed information about the UPSC NDA syllabus 2025. 

UPSC NDA

NDA Syllabus 2025

The UPSC NDA syllabus 2025 has the list of the subjects and topics which are asked in the UPSC NDA 1 exam. The syllabus for the NDA exam usually remains the same each year, hence, no changes have been made this year as well. The syllabus is based on 10+2 level from subjects that include, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, GK. 

NDA syllabus is divided into two sections, Maths and General Aptitude Test (GAT). NDA Maths syllabus consists of questions based on the 12th standard on topics such as Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Vector, Probability, Statistics, Three Dimension, Trigonometry, etc. NDA GAT syllabus aims to test your knowledge on general awareness of topics such as Geography, Social Science, History, Current Affairs, etc. Out of both the subjects, GAT holds the maximum marks weightage. Get complete details on NDA syllabus for Maths and GAT here.   

Candidates who are going to appear for NDA 1 exam must go through the detailed NDA syllabus that is given here so that it helps you to strategies your preparation for the exam. Further, as NDA is one of the most popular and sought after defence exams, therefore, a large number of candidates apply for this exam, thereby, making the exam tougher. 

NDA Syllabus 2025 Overview

The NDA exam is held two times in a year for selecting candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC).The major highlights of the NDA syllabus are shared in the table below here. 

NDA Syllabus 2025 - Overview

Name of the Exam

National Defence Academy (NDA)

Exam Conducting Body

Union Public Service Commission, UPSC

Frequency of Exam

Twice in a Year (April & September)

Selection Criteria

Written Exam consisting of Objective Type Questions

Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB)

Mode of exam

Pen and Paper Based (Offline mode)

Papers in NDA exam

Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT)

Marking Scheme

Mathematics: 300 Marks

GAT: 600 Marks

Total No. of Questions

Mathematics: 120

GAT: 150

Negative Marking

Mathematics: -0.83

GAT: -1.33 marks

Exam Duration

2.5 Hours For Each Paper

Medium of NDA exam

English & Hindi

(English Language paper has to be attempted in English)

NDA Syllabus 2025 PDF Download

NDA 2025 syllabus is released by the UPSC along with the notification. The syllabus gives you complete details about the subject wise topics and sub topics that will be covered in the NDA exam. It is advisable for the candidates to download NDA 1 syllabus PDF 2025 and save it in their devices so that they can utilise it while preparing for the exam. Here is the direct link to download the official NDA 1 Syllabus PDF.

NDA 1 Syllabus PDF Download Link Download PDF

NDA Syllabus for Girls

NDA exam is one of the most sought after exams that is taken by lakhs of male and female candidates who have passed/appearing class 12th. There is no difference between the NDA syllabus for girls and boys. The NDA syllabus for Girls is Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) which is similar to that of the boys. 

NDA Syllabus for Paper 1: Maths Syllabus

NDA syllabus for Paper 1 is the Maths syllabus The entire Maths syllabus is based on 10+2 level. Candidates can get their doubts cleared by practicing questions from Maths NCERT books. The Maths syllabus consists of a toal of 120 questions where candidates get 2.5 marks for ech correct answer while a negative marking of 0.83 is done for an incorrect answer. The important topics fro NDA Maths syllabus are as follows: 

NDA Maths Syllabus

NDA Maths Syllabus Topics

Details

Algebra

Sets, Venn Diagram, De Morgan Law, Cartesian Product, Representation of real numbers on a line, Complex numbers, Cube roots of unity, Binary system of numbers, Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system and vice-versa, Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations with real coefficients. Solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs. Permutation and Combination. Binomial theorem and its applications. Logarithms and their applications

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.

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

 

Order and degree of a differential equation, General and particular solution of a differential equations, solution of first order and first degree differential equations of various types, Application in problems of growth and decay

Vector

Vectors in 2D and 3D, magnitude and direction of a vector. Unit and null vectors, addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar product or dot product of two vectors. Vector product or cross product of two vectors

Statistics

Classification of data, Frequency distribution, cumulative frequency distribution, Histogram, Pie Chart, frequency polygon, Mean, median and mode. Variance and standard deviation—determination and comparison. Correlation and regression

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, Elementary theorems on probability, Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem. Binomial distribution

Trigonometry

Angles and their measures in degrees and in radians, Trigonometrical ratio, Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications-Height and distance, properties of triangles

2Dand 3D Geometry

Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system. Distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms. Angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and in general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. Point in a three dimensional space, 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. Angle between two lines and angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere

Differential Calculus

Real valued function–domain, range and graph of a function. Composite functions, Limit,. Continuity of functions, Geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative, Derivatives of sum, product and quotient of functions, derivative of a function with respect to another function, derivative of a composite function. Second order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima.

NDA Syllabus for Paper 2

NDA syllabus for Paper 2 is the General Aptitude Test (GAT). This paper is aimed to test the candidate’s basic knowledge on current affairs, History, Polity, Environment, defence schemes, summits, etc. NDA GAT Syllabus is for a total of 600 marks whereby 150 questions are asked in it. Out of this, 50 questions are from the English Language while the rest covers General Knowledge questions.

NDA GAT Syllabus 2025

In the following table, we have shared the complete NDA GAT syllabus for the following topics. The following topics will let you plan your preparation strategy for the NDA exam. 

- NDA English Syllabus

- NDA Physics Syllabus

- NDA Chemistry Syllabus

- NDA General Science Syllabus

- NDA History, Freedom Movement etc Syllabus

- NDA Geography Syllabus

- NDA Current Events Syllabus

The topic wise detailed NDA GAT syllabus is given below for each subject. 

NDA Current Affairs Syllabus

The candidates must have good knowledge about the latest happenings in and around the world. Knowledge about both India and the world is required for this subject. In addition ot this, candidates should also be well known about the latest research and developments, and important summits held. To prepare current affairs, candidates should make it a habit to keep track of all the latest happenings through newspapers and magazines. 

NDA English Syllabus 

NDA English syllabus is aimed to test the candidate’s knowledge on various aspects of this subject. Questions will be asked from vocabulary, comprehension, sentence completion, active passive voice, direct and indirect speech, etc. The candidate’s proficiency in this subject will be tested. 

NDA Physics Syllabus

NDA Physics syllabus will have around 20-25 questions based on several topics that are a part of Physics subject. Some of the important topics are Matter, Density, Gravitation, Mirror, Pulley, Power and Energy, Temperature and Heat, Sound Waves, etc. 

NDA Syllabus for Physics

Force and Momentum

Motion of objects

Gravitation

Effects of Heat

Sound waves and their properties

Magnets

Simple Electrical Circuits

Measurement of Temperature and Heat

Ohm’s Law

Primary and Secondary Cells

Principles in the Working of Pulley, Pendulum, Lightening Conductors, Fuses, Hydrometer, etc. 

Reflection and refraction

Spherical mirrors and Lenses, Human Eye

Power and Energy

Principle of Archimedes

NDA Chemistry Syllabus

NDA Chemistry syllabus aims to test your basic knowledge of Chemistry and its applications in daily use. Questions from Physical and Chemical changes, Metals and No Metals, Environment, Acid, Bases and Salts, Chemical Reactions are asked in it. Check the list of the important topics of Chemistry for NDA exam in the table below. 

NDA Syllabus for Chemistry

Physical and Chemical changes

Mixtures and Compounds

Law of Chemical Combination

Valency

Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights

Symbols, Formulae and simple Chemical Equations

Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches and Gun- 25 Powder

Mixtures and Compounds

Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbondioxide, Oxidation and Reduction. Acids, bases and salts

NDA General Science Syllabus

General science Syllabus for NDA exam covers the basic questions of Science that are to be known by any student preparing for the exam. Questions based on common food diseases, solar system, reproduction, inventions and discovering, etc are asked in it. Check the list of important topics for NDA General Science in the table below. 

NDA General Science Syllabus

Difference between the living and non-living

Cell

Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs

Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals

Solar System

Achievements of Eminent Scientists

Constituents of food

Common Epidemics their causes and Prevention

Food

NDA History, Freedom Movement Syllabus

NDA History, Freedom Movement syllabus shall be basd on the integral events that took place during the Indian Freedom Movement such as the formation of the Consitution, Gandhi’s principle, the revolt of 1857, Panchayati Raj, Five Year Plan, etc. The important topics for NDA History, and Freedom Movement are shared in the table below. 

NDA Syllabus for History, Freedom Movement

Freedom Movement in India

Elementary Study of the Indian Constitution and Administration

Panchayati Raj

Forces Shaping the modern world

Socialism and Communism

War of American Independence

French Revolution

Role of India in the present world

National Integration and Welfare State

Five-Year Plans of India

Survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation

Democracy

National Integration and Welfare State

Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi

Constitution and Administration

NDA Geography Syllabus

NDA Geography syllabus consists of the topics that you have studied up to class 12th. It constitutes Earth, important geographical features of India, Earthquake and Volcanoes, Climate, etc. 

NDA Syllabus for Geography

The Earth, its shape and size

Latitudes and Longitudes

Origin of Earth

Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure

Planetary Winds

Weathering

Regional Geography of India

Important Sea ports and main sea

Main items of Imports and Exports of India

Types of Climate

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its Composition

Important Books to Prepare NDA Syllabus

Preparing for NDA exam requires having the best books as per NDA syllabus so that one can get maximum knowledge out of it. Here are the best books for NDA Maths and GAT papers. 

NDA Books for Maths

Subjects 

Name and Author of the Book 

Mathematics 

Mathematics for NDA and NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy by RS Aggarwal

Quantitative aptitude for competitive examinations by RS Aggarwal

NCERT Class 11 and 12th Maths Books

GAT

History Of Modern India (History) by Bipan Chandra

Science and Technology in India (Science and Technology) by Kalpana Rajaram: Spectrum

Objective General English for Competitive Exams by S P Bakshi

Manorama Yearbook by Mammen Mathew

NDA Exam Pattern 2025

NDA exam consists of three stages, a written exam followed by SSB and a medical test. It is mandatory to qualify each stage of the NDA exam to be able to be appointed into the defence forces of the country. The NDA written exam is for a total of 900 marks and is divided into two parts, Mathematics and GAT. NDA GAT is further divided into English and General Awareness or General Knowledge Test. The candidates who will qualify the written exam will appear for the SSB interview and medical test.

NDA Exam Pattern

Subject

Marks

Number of questions

Duration of test

Mathematics

300

120

2 ½

GAT

600

150

2 ½

Total

900

270

5 hours

NDA Marking Scheme 

The marking scheme for NDA exam has been prescribed by the UPSC. There is a negative marking of in both papers of NDA exam, i.e. Maths and GAT. Check the table below to know about the subject wise NDA marking scheme. 

NDA Paper

Marks for the correct answer

Marks incorrect answer

Mathematics

2.5

0.83

GAT

4

1.33

Best Books to Prepare NDA 1 Syllabus 

To crack one of the most competitive exams in the country, one needs to have the best books for NDA syllabus. Check the list of books to prepare NDA 1 syllabus for Maths and GAT. 

Subject Name Name of the Book
Mathematics 
  • Quantitative aptitude for competitive examinations by RS Aggarwal
  • Mathematics for NDA and NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy by RS Aggarwal
GAT
  • History Of Modern India (History) by Bipan Chandra
  • Objective General English for Competitive Exams by S P Bakshi
  • Manorama Yearbook by Mammen Mathew
  • Science and Technology in India (Science and Technology) by Kalpana Rajaram: Spectrum
  • Lucent's GK

How to Prepare for NDA 1 2025 Exam?

Lakhs of candidates apply for NDA exam each year. Hence, the competition is pretty tough. Candidates who score the NDA cut off marks are allowed to appear for the SSB interview.The tips to prepare for NDA 1 2025 exam are as follows: 

  • Make sure that you go through the NDA syllabus and exam pattern so that you can plan your preparation strategy.
  • You should ensure that you solve enough NDA previous year question papers to get a clarity on the type of questions that are asked in the exam as well as to review your performance.
  • Create a study plan so that you can complete the important topics given in it.
  • Make sure that you go through the NCERT books to get the basic right.
  • Make notes, flash cards so that you can go through them when you get stuck at a topic. It also helps in revision.

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