I’m Mr. HkGedar. If you’re preparing for the National Defence Academy, you need clarity more than noise. This guide breaks the National Defence Academy syllabus into bite-size actions: what to study, how to practise, what the official exam pattern looks like, and how to transition from the written test to SSB and medicals. Treat this as a practical checklist you can follow day by day.
Why know the National Defence Academy syllabus?
Understanding the National Defence Academy syllabus saves wasted time. UPSC expects Class-11 and Class-12 level grounding, but questions test speed, precision and conceptual clarity. When you map your study plan to the official topics, every hour of practice earns returns on the exam.
Quick overview: exam pattern and marks
The written test under the National Defence Academy syllabus has two papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (GAT) (600 marks) — total 900 marks. Mathematics typically contains 120 questions; GAT contains 150 questions (English + General Knowledge). Each paper is objective type and allotted 2½ hours (150 minutes). Negative marking is applied as per the official notification and past papers — practise sensible risk-management when attempting risky questions.
Mathematics — what to expect
The National Defence Academy syllabus for Mathematics focuses on:
Algebra: quadratic equations, sequences & series, binomial theorem
Matrices and determinants
Trigonometry and complex numbers
Analytical geometry (2D and 3D), conic sections
Calculus: differentiation, integration, differential equations (basic)
Vector algebra, multiple coordinate geometry problems
Statistics & probability (basic level)
Most questions reward quick, accurate calculation and pattern recognition. Your aim: move from “can solve” to “can solve reliably in <90 seconds” for standard questions.
General Ability Test (GAT) — breakdown
The GAT part of the National Defence Academy syllabus is split into:
English (200 marks) — comprehension, grammar, vocabulary
General Knowledge (400 marks) — Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, Current Affairs, Basic Economics & Polity
GAT tests both static knowledge (NCERT-level facts) and dynamic knowledge (current events tied to static topics). Prioritise a mix of NCERT study and a disciplined current-affairs habit.
Detailed syllabus — subject-wise list (compact)
Below is a study-friendly mapping of the National Defence Academy syllabus topics you must master.
Mathematics
Algebra (polynomials, equations, sequences, progressions)
Matrices & determinants
Trigonometry & complex numbers
Analytical geometry of two & three dimensions, conic sections
Differential & integral calculus; differential equations (basic)
Vector algebra
Statistics & probability
GAT — English
Comprehension passages
Error spotting, sentence correction
Vocabulary & usage
Synonyms/antonyms and fill-in-the-blanks
GAT — General Knowledge
Physics: mechanics, electricity, optics, heat, modern physics basics
Chemistry: basic physical & inorganic chemistry; simple organic concepts
General Science: biology basics, human biology, environment
History: modern Indian history, freedom movement highlights
Geography: physical geography, maps, climate, resources
Polity & Economics: constitution basics, structure of government, economic indicators
Current Affairs: national & international events that relate to above topics
Full official syllabi / question papers are published by UPSC and are the source of truth for topic coverage and standard.
How UPSC publishes the National Defence Academy syllabus
UPSC publishes the National Defence Academy syllabus and previous years’ question papers in its notifications and “Previous Question Papers” section on upsc.gov.in. Always download the latest notification PDF and the official question-paper PDFs — they show real wording, distribution and difficulty. Use only trustworthy sources for any rule changes (dates, eligibility or format).
How the selection path continues (written → SSB → medical → merit)
Clearing the written portion of the National Defence Academy syllabus is the first step. Next:
SSB (Services Selection Board) interview: multi-day process that assesses personality, leadership, group tasks, psychology and an interview.
Medical examination: detailed medicals including specialist opinions if needed.
Final merit list: prepared on the combined scores and medical status; allocation depends on vacancies, merit and medical fitness.
Treat SSB preparation as part of your plan — physical fitness, clear articulation and teamwork matter as much as academic marks.
Study plan: a practical 6-month timeline
Here’s a pragmatic roadmap you can use and adapt.
Months 1–2: Finish core NCERTs for Maths, Physics, Chemistry; build daily English habit (reading + short grammar).
Months 3–4: Intensive problem practice in Mathematics; begin timed sectional tests; start weekly GK rotation (science, history, geography, polity).
Month 5: Begin full-length mocks (one per week), analyse errors, consolidate short notes.
Month 6: Peak revision: 2 mocks/week, formula sheets, speed drills, last-minute GK updates and comprehension practice.
(Adjust pace if you’re starting later; the core idea is progressive practice + weekly mock analysis.)
Topic cornerstones & micro-strategies
Mathematics — topic-by-topic strategy
Algebra & Geometry: practise standard forms until manipulation becomes instinctive.
Calculus & Trigonometry: maintain a formula sheet and solve representative problems daily.
Vectors & 3-D geometry: visual sketches and vector-based shortcuts help avoid lengthy algebra.
Probability & Statistics: learn modelling and common probability tricks; these are often high-yield.
Problem routine: daily warm-up (15 mins), focused topic practice (60–90 mins), and weekly timed mini-tests to increase speed.
GAT — handling static + dynamic
Static (NCERTs): use class 11–12 NCERTs as a spine for science, geography and history.
Dynamic (current affairs): daily news summaries; weekly consolidation to link events to static topics.
English: daily comprehension practice; write short summaries and practice error-spotting exercises.
Mock tests — frequency and analysis
Start mocks gradually: once every 10 days → weekly → twice weekly in the last 4 weeks.
After each mock spend significant time doing error analysis: why did the mistake happen, how to avoid it, and an actionable correction step. Mocks are diagnostic tools — treat them that way.
Physical fitness, documents & medical readiness
Don’t ignore the non-academic parts of the National Defence Academy syllabus journey:
Fitness: running, endurance, push-ups & core strength; SSB physical stamina matters.
Documents: original certificates, ID, medical records and a clear educational timeline.
Medical: maintain records of any prior surgeries, illnesses or allergies; transparency is essential at the medical board.
Common mistakes aspirants make (and how to avoid them)
Too many sources: pick 2–3 trusted references per subject and stick to them.
Ignoring timed practice: speed is crucial for the Maths paper.
Neglecting SSB prep: focus on personality, communication and group tasks early.
Skipping official papers: always practise with UPSC past papers — they reveal question style, not coaching hype.
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Using previous year papers and official resources
Solve official UPSC question papers — they are the best mirror of how the National Defence Academy syllabus is tested. UPSC’s archived papers let you practise real questions and observe patterns across years.
Sample daily routine (3–4 hours)
60–90 minutes Mathematics (timed practice sections)
45 minutes GK reading & notes (rotate subjects)
30 minutes English practice (comprehension + grammar)
15–20 minutes revision of formula sheet and quick GK notes
Small, consistent daily blocks beat cramming.
FAQs
Q: Where do I download the official National Defence Academy syllabus?
A: From the UPSC website — the notification and question papers contain the official syllabus text and real papers.
Q: How many marks is the Maths paper?
A: Maths is 300 marks (out of 900) in the written exam under the National Defence Academy syllabus.
Q: Is the syllabus often revised?
A: The core topics are stable (Class-11 and Class-12 level), but always check the latest UPSC notification for minor format/administrative updates.
Day-before & exam-day blueprint
Day before: light revision (formulas, short GK lists), good sleep, no panic.
Exam day: arrive early, carry required ID, stationery and admit card; tackle high-confidence questions first to build momentum.
Good luck — train smart, practise consistently, and keep your goal in sight. 🚩