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NDA 2025 Exam Pattern: Syllabus, Preparation tips and strategies

NDA 2025 Written exam has 2 sections Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Both papers will have Objective Type Questions. A total of 270 questions will be asked for 900 marks. Out of 270 questions, 120 questions will be asked from Maths and 150 questions from GAT. NDA is conducted twice every year in April and September. The mode of examination is offline.

The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is one of the most sought-after competitive examinations in India for candidates who aspire to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the NDA exam is held twice a year and involves a rigorous selection process, consisting of both written exams and the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview.

Table of Contents

NDA 2025 Exam Pattern
Subject-wise Breakdown of the NDA Exam
NDA 2025 Preparation Tips
Marking Scheme for NDA 2025
NDA 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs

NDA 2025 Exam Pattern

NDA 2025 exam consists of two stages:

1. Written Exam

2. SSB Interview

The written exam is the first stage, and candidates who clear this will move on to the second stage, which is the SSB interview. Each of these stages is crucial in determining the final selection.

Find the important dates for the NDA 2025 exams below:-

Events	Dates for NDA 1 2025	Dates for NDA 2 2025
Release of Official Notification	December 11, 2024	May 28, 2025
Beginning of NDA Registration	December 11, 2024	May 28, 2025
Last Date of Submission of Online Application Form	December 31, 2024	June 17, 2025
Release of NDA Admit Card	April 2025 first week (Tentative)	To be Announced
Exam Date	April 13, 2025	September 14, 2025

Written Exam Pattern

NDA Paper 1 Mathematics Exam Pattern

NDA Mathematics paper marks distribution including topics such as Calculus, Probability, Trigonometry, etc is provided below in the table:

Particulars	Details
Total Marks	300 Marks
Total No. of Questions	120
Marks awarded for Correct answer	2.5 marks
Marks deducted for the wrong answer	-0.83
Exam Duration	2.5 Hours

The Mathematics section tests the candidate's understanding of high school-level mathematics, including topics such as Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics, and Probability.

NDA Paper 2 General Ability Test Exam Pattern

Particulars	Details
Total Marks	600 marks
Total No. of Questions	150
No. of questions in English Section	50
No. of questions in the General Knowledge Section	100
Maximum Marks for English	200 marks
Maximum Marks for G.K.	400 marks
Marks for Correct Answer	4 marks in both sections
Marks for Incorrect Answer	-1.33 marks in both sections
Exam Duration	2.5 Hours

The General Knowledge section includes topics such as Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and Current Affairs. The level of difficulty is aligned with the syllabus of the 12th standard.

SSB Interview Pattern

Candidates who qualify in the written exam are called for the SSB interview, which is a 5-day selection process that assesses the candidate's leadership skills, physical stamina, and suitability for a career in the armed forces.

The interview consists of two stages:

Stage 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT).

Stage 2: Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychological Tests, and Personal Interview.

The total marks for the SSB interview are 900 marks, making the total selection process worth 1800 marks (900 marks for the written exam + 900 marks for the SSB interview).

Subject-wise Breakdown of the NDA Exam

Mathematics:

The Mathematics section requires a deep understanding of:

- Algebra (Sets, relations, quadratic equations)

- Calculus (Limits, continuity, differentiation)

- Trigonometry (Trigonometric identities, equations)

- Analytical Geometry (Circles, conic sections)

- Statistics and Probability

General Ability Test (GAT):

The GAT paper is split between:

- English: Testing comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar.

- General Knowledge: Covering topics in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.

NDA 2025 Preparation Tips

NDA 2025 exam preparation can be exhausting if you don’t follow the right strategy and study material. Focus on solving previous years' question papers and improving speed and accuracy in mathematical problem-solving. For English, improve vocabulary and practice comprehension passages. You must keep updated with current affairs and strengthen fundamental concepts in science and social studies.

The following are the preparation tips for NDA 2025:-

1. Understand the Syllabus: The NDA exam syllabus is vast, and it is crucial to cover every topic thoroughly. Familiarize yourself with the detailed syllabus of Mathematics and GAT.

2. Time Management: Both papers are lengthy and require you to manage your time well. Practice solving mock tests within the time limit to improve speed.

3. Regular Revisions: Since the General Knowledge section is diverse, frequent revisions of key concepts in science, history, and geography are essential.

4. Mock Tests and Previous Papers: Solving previous years' papers and attempting mock tests will help you understand the exam pattern and types of questions.

5. Focus on Weak Areas: Identify subjects or topics where you are weak and focus on improving them.

Marking Scheme for NDA 2025

NDA 2025 exam will have the same marking scheme as that of previous years’.

- For every correct answer in Mathematics, 2.5 marks are awarded.

- For every correct answer in the GAT, 4 marks are awarded.

- Negative Marking: 0.83 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer in Mathematics and 1.33 marks will be deducted in the GAT section.

NDA 2025 exam pattern remains consistent with previous years, with an emphasis on Mathematics and General Knowledge. Preparing with a clear understanding of the syllabus, consistent practice, and time management will help candidates perform well in the examination.

Relevant Links
NDA Application Form	NDA Previous Year Question Papers
NDA 2024 Question Paper	NDA Eligibility
NDA Exam Pattern	NDA Mock Tests

NDA 2025 Exam Pattern FAQs

Ques. What is the total duration of the NDA written exam?

Ans. The written exam consists of two papers: Mathematics (2.5 hours) and GAT (2.5 hours), making a total of 5 hours of exam time.

Ques. What is the marking scheme for the NDA exam?

Ans. In the Mathematics paper, each correct answer carries 2.5 marks, while in the GAT, it carries 4 marks. There is a negative marking for wrong answers: 0.83 marks for Mathematics and 1.33 marks for GAT.

Ques. What subjects are included in the General Ability Test (GAT)?

Ans. The GAT is divided into two sections: English and General Knowledge. GK covers subjects like Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.

Ques. How many questions are there in the NDA exam?

Ans. The Mathematics paper has 120 questions, and the GAT paper has 150 questions, making a total of 270 questions.

Ques. Is there a negative marking in the NDA exam?

Ans. Yes, for each incorrect answer, there is a penalty of 0.83 marks in Mathematics and 1.33 marks in GAT.

Ques. What are the total marks for the NDA exam?

Ans. The NDA written exam is 900 marks (300 for Mathematics and 600 for GAT).

Ques. What is the sectional cut-off for NDA 2025?

Ans. Candidates must score at least 25% in each section (Mathematics and GAT) to qualify for the next stage, which is the SSB interview.

Ques. How is the final merit list prepared for NDA?

Ans. The final merit list is prepared based on the cumulative marks of the written exam (900 marks) and the SSB interview (900 marks), totaling 1800 marks.

Ques. What is the syllabus for the Mathematics section of NDA?

Ans. The syllabus includes Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Analytical Geometry, Statistics, and Probability, all based on the 10+2 level.

Ques. What are the important topics for the General Ability Test?

Ans. Key topics include English grammar and comprehension, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, and Current Affairs.