NDA Exam 2026: Syllabus, Pattern & Free Mock Tests
The National Defence Academy exam is India's premier pathway to officer commissions in the Army, Navy and Air Force straight after Class 12 — conducted twice a year by UPSC.
NDA at a Glance
- Conducting Body
- UPSC
- Frequency
- Twice a year (NDA I & NDA II)
- Age
- 16.5 – 19.5 years
- Education
- Class 12 (Maths + Physics for Air Force/Navy)
- Mode
- Offline (pen & paper)
- Selection
- Written 900 · SSB 900 · Medical
NDA Syllabus by Subject
10 subjects · 152 topics across Paper I (Maths) and Paper II (General Ability Test). Click any subject for chapter-wise notes, PYQs and practice.
Paper Composition
Paper I — Mathematics
300 marksMarking: +2.5 / −0.83 · Subject minimum cut-off applies
Paper II — GAT
600 marksMarking: +4 / −1.33
SSB Interview
900 marksWhere NDA Leads — Khadakwasla
The written exam is the gate. Successful candidates train at the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, Pune — a three-year tri-service course — before commissioning at the passing-out parade.
Photos: PIB India / Government of India · Used under Government Open Data Licence (GODL-India).
Score targets to plan around
~450 / 900
Safe (50%)
Clears the written cut-off in most cycles — the floor every serious aspirant should hit.
~540 / 900
Competitive (60%)
Comfortable margin over cut-off, leaves room for SSB variance and top service preferences.
~630+ / 900
Top-ranker (70%)
Army/Navy first preference and a realistic shot at the top 500 ranks in the final merit.
NDA Eligibility
- Age
- 16.5 – 19.5 years on the first day of the course commencement month.
- Education
- Class 12 passed or appearing. Maths + Physics required for Air Force and Navy wings.
- Nationality
- Indian citizen, or specified Nepalese / Bhutanese / Tibetan refugees per UPSC rules.
- Gender
- Both male and female candidates eligible since the 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
- Marital Status
- Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply.
- Physical
- Must meet service-specific medical and physical standards (see Medical Standards).
Beyond notes
Medical Standards
Vision, height/weight, hearing and ENT thresholds vary by service — Air Force is strictest, then Navy, then Army.
View full medical standards →Previous Year Questions
Decade-long PYQ archive organised by subject and topic, with fully solved explanations and difficulty tags.
Browse NDA PYQs →Free Mock Tests
Full-length NDA diagnostic with adaptive scoring, subject-wise analytics and a personalised study plan.
Start Free DiagnosticHow to prepare for NDA
Diagnose
Free diagnostic surfaces your weakest topics across all 10 subjects so you stop guessing where to start.
Drill
Subject-wise PYQ-tagged notes and targeted practice on those weak topics first — depth before breadth.
Mock
Weekly full-length mocks under exam timing and negative marking. Review every wrong answer the same day.
Master
Revise high-yield topics, hold daily current affairs, and start SSB prep (OIR, GD, self-description) early.
Cut-Off Trends
| Cycle | Written Cut-off (out of 900) | Final Cut-off (out of 1800) |
|---|---|---|
| NDA II 2024 | 360 | 716 |
| NDA I 2024 | 355 | 709 |
| NDA II 2023 | 358 | 708 |
| NDA I 2023 | 360 | 720 |
Indicative — see official UPSC notification for confirmed cut-offs.
SSB Interview for NDA
The SSB interview is a 5-day assessment at SSB centres — Day 1 is Stage I screening (OIR test + PPDT) and only those who clear it continue. Days 2 to 5 cover Stage II: psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, Self-Description), GTO tasks, the personal interview, and the conference. Candidates recommended in the conference then move to the medical board.
SSB preparation for NDA →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NDA exam and who conducts it?
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). It is the primary entry route into the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force after Class 12, leading to a three-year training programme at the NDA in Khadakwasla, Pune.
What is the age limit for NDA 2026?
Candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years of age on the first day of the month in which the course is due to begin. The exact cut-off dates are published with each NDA notification. Only unmarried candidates are eligible.
Can girls apply for NDA?
Yes. Following the 2022 Supreme Court order, women are permitted to appear for the NDA examination and join the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the Academy on the same terms as male cadets.
Is NDA exam tough?
The NDA written exam is considered moderately difficult — the questions are at Class 11–12 level but the speed, accuracy and negative marking make it competitive. With a structured plan covering Maths, English and General Studies plus consistent PYQ practice, well-prepared candidates clear the written stage comfortably.
How many attempts are allowed for NDA?
There is no fixed cap on the number of attempts for NDA. As long as a candidate satisfies the age limit (16.5 to 19.5 years), they can appear in every NDA cycle held during that window, which usually allows three to four attempts.
What is the NDA exam pattern?
The NDA written exam has two papers — Paper I Mathematics (300 marks, 120 questions) and Paper II General Ability Test (600 marks, 150 questions split between English and General Knowledge). Both papers are 2.5 hours each. Qualifying candidates then face a 900-mark SSB interview.
Is there negative marking in NDA?
Yes. Paper I deducts 0.83 marks for every wrong answer, and Paper II deducts 1.33 marks per wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty, so guessing without elimination is rarely worth it.
What happens after I clear the NDA written exam?
Candidates who clear the written cut-off are called for the SSB (Services Selection Board) interview — a five-day assessment covering screening, psychology, GTO tasks, a personal interview and the conference. Those recommended by SSB then face a medical examination before final merit listing.