NDA Syllabus 2023 – A Glimpse Peruse the salient facets of the NDA 2023 Syllabus and Examination Structure detailed in the following table.
NDA Syllabus 2023 – A Glimpse Examination Name: National Defence Academy (NDA) Administrative Authority: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Examination Frequency: Biannual (April & September 2023) Selection Procedure:
- Written Examination comprising Objective Type Questions
- Intelligence & Personality Assessment (SSB) Examination Mode: Offline Segments in NDA Examination:
- Mathematics
- General Ability Test Distribution of Marks:
- Mathematics: 300 Marks
- GAT: 600 Marks Total Number of Questions:
- Mathematics: 120
- GAT: 150 Penalty for Incorrect Answers:
- Mathematics: -0.83
- GAT: -1.33 Marks Examination Duration: 2.5 Hours for Each Paper (Total of 5 Hours) Language of Question Paper: English & Hindi – The English Language paper must be attempted in English.
NDA Examination Blueprint 2023 Prior to diving into the intricacies of the NDA Syllabus, let us first acquaint ourselves with the NDA Examination Structure. The mathematics segment comprises 120 questions, totaling 300 marks, while the GAT section encompasses English and GK Papers with 200 and 400 marks, respectively.
NDA Mathematics Examination Blueprint
Certainly, here’s the provided content presented in a table format:
Paper I – Mathematics
| Aspect | Description |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Total Number of Questions | 120 |
| Marks for Correct Answer | 2.5 marks |
| Marks Deducted for Wrong Answer | -0.83 |
| Exam Duration | 2.5 Hours |
General Ability Test Exam Pattern Paper II – General Ability Test
| Aspect | Description |
| Total Marks | 600 marks |
| Total Number of Questions | 150 |
| Number of Questions in English Section | 50 |
| Number of Questions in 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 |
NDA Exam Pattern for SSB Interview After successfully clearing the written exam of NDA, candidates are required to appear for the SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview rounds. The NDA Interview pattern includes the following stages:
NDA – SSB Interview Pattern
| Stage | Description |
| Stage 1 – Screening Test | 1. Verbal and non-verbal tests 2. PPDT (Picture Perception and Description Test) |
| Stage 2 – Psychological Test | 1. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) 2. Word Association Test (WAT) 3. Situation Reaction Test (SRT) 4. Self-Description Test (SD) |
| Group Testing Officers Test | 1. GD (Group Discussion) 2. GPE (Group Planning Exercise) 3. PGT (Progressive Exercise) 4. HGT (Half Group Task Exercise) 5. IoT (Individual Obstacles) 6. Command Task 7. Snake race/Group Obstacle Race 8. Individual lecture 9. FGT (Final Group Task) |
| Personal Interview & Conference | – |
NDA Syllabus 2023 Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the NDA Exam Pattern, it’s crucial for candidates to understand the Syllabus of the NDA Exam. Below is the NDA Syllabus:
NDA Mathematics Syllabus The chapters included in the NDA Mathematics Syllabus are detailed in the table below.
Certainly, here’s the provided content organized in a table format in English:
| Topic | Topic-wise Syllabus |
| Algebra | Mathematics covers Algebra, Sets, Venn diagrams, De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relations, equivalence relations, Real numbers, Complex numbers, Modulus, Cube roots, Binary-to-Decimal conversion.Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations, Linear inequations, Permutation and Combination, Binomial theorem, and Logarithms. |
| Calculus | Calculus Concepts: Real-valued function, domain, range, function graphs, composite functions, one-to-one, onto, inverse functions, limit, standard limits, function continuity, algebraic operations on continuous functions, derivative, geometric and physical interpretation, derivatives of sums, products, quotients, derivative concerning another function, second-order derivatives, increasing and decreasing functions, applications in maxima and minima problems. |
| Matrices and Determinants | Types of matrices, operations on matrices. The determinant of a square matrix is a scalar value that can be computed using various methods, such as cofactor expansion or using properties like row or column operations. The determinant of an n x n matrix A is often denoted as det(A) or |A|. |
| Integral Calculus and Differential Equations | Integration is a fundamental concept in calculus and serves as the inverse operation of differentiation. While differentiation finds the rate of change of a function, integration finds the accumulation of a quantity over an interval. The process of integration involves finding the antiderivative (indefinite integral) of a function. The symbol used for integration is ∫ (an elongated “S” shape). |
| Trigonometry | Angles and their measures in degrees and radians. Trigonometric ratios. Trigonometric identities. Sum and difference formulae. Multiple and Sub-multiple angles. Inverse trigonometric functions. Applications-Height and distance, properties of triangles. |
| Vector Algebra | Vectors are mathematical entities that have both magnitude and direction. In two-dimensional space (such as a plane), vectors are represented as arrows with a length (magnitude) and a specific direction. In three-dimensional space (such as the physical world), vectors have three components and can represent quantities like displacement, velocity, and force. |
| Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimensions | The rectangular Cartesian coordinate system is a way to represent points and objects in space using coordinates (x, y, z) for three-dimensional space and (x, y) for two-dimensional space. It uses perpendicular axes to locate points in space. |
| Statistics and Probability | Classical Probability: In classical probability, the probability of an event is calculated based on the assumption that all outcomes are equally likely. For example, in a fair six-sided die, the probability of rolling a 2 is 1/6.Statistical Probability: Statistical probability is based on observed data. It involves calculating probabilities by collecting and analyzing data from real-world experiments or situations. |
Certainly, here’s the topic-wise question distribution in Mathematics presented in a table format in English:
| Topic | Questions |
| Calculus | 20-25 |
| Quadratic equation | 20-15 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 30 |
| Probability | 10 |
| Trigonometry | 30 |
| Complex number | 10-15 |
This table displays the distribution of questions in various mathematical topics for reference.
NDA General Ability Test Syllabus The General Ability Test consists of two papers: English and General Knowledge. The English paper carries a weightage of 200 Marks, while the General Knowledge paper is valued at 400 Marks.
NDA Syllabus – English The English question paper aims to evaluate the candidate’s comprehension of the English language. The syllabus encompasses various aspects, as outlined below:
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
| Spotting Errors | 5 | 20 |
| Comprehension | 6 | 24 |
| Selecting Words | 10 | 40 |
| Sentence Word Order | 9 | 36 |
| Sentence Improvement | 10 | 40 |
| Antonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Synonyms | 5 | 20 |
| Total | 50 | 200 |
This table outlines the number of questions and marks allocated to each topic in the English section of the NDA General Ability Test.
NDA Syllabus – General Knowledge Check the topic-wise distribution of questions and marks in the table below:
| Topic | No. of Questions | No. of Marks |
| Physics | 23 | 92 |
| Chemistry | 16 | 64 |
| General Science | 11 | 44 |
| History & Freedom Movement | 16 | 64 |
| Geography | 17 | 68 |
| Current Affairs | 17 | 68 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
This table outlines the number of questions and marks allocated to each topic in the General Knowledge section of the NDA syllabus.
NDA Syllabus For Physics
- Physical Properties and States of Matter
- Modes of transference of Heat
- Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound waves and their properties
- Simple musical instruments
- Rectilinear propagation of Light
- Density and Specific Gravity
- Reflection and refraction
- Principle of Archimedes
- Spherical mirrors and Lenses
- Pressure Barometer
- Human Eye
- Motion of objects
- Natural and Artificial Magnets
- Velocity and Acceleration
- Properties of a Magnet
- Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Earth as a Magnet
- Force and Momentum
- Static and Current Electricity
- Parallelogram of Forces
- Conductors and Non-conductors
- Stability and Equilibrium of bodies
- Ohm’s Law
- Gravitation
- Simple Electrical Circuits
- Elementary ideas of work
- Let’s Talk Current: Heat, Light, and Magnetism
- Power and Energy
- Measurement of Electrical Power
- Effects of Heat
- Primary and Secondary Cells
- Measurement of Temperature and Heat
- Use of X-Rays
- Basic Principles of Simple Machines and Devices.
NDA Syllabus – Chemistry
- Gas Essentials: Preparation, Properties, Oxidation, and Reduction of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon Dioxide.
- Acids, bases, and salts.
- Carbon—different forms
- Physical and Chemical Changes
- Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial
- Elements
- Materials for Making Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Matches, and Gunpowder
- Mixtures and Compounds
- The Atom’s Structure Simplified
- Symbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical Equations
- Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights
- Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems)
- Valency
- Properties of Air and Water
NDA Syllabus – General Science
- Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention
- Difference between the living and non-living
- Food—Source of Energy for man
- Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues
- Constituents of food
- Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals
- Balanced Diet
- Getting to Know Your Body: Important Organs and Basic Facts
- The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists
NDA Syllabus – History, Freedom Movement
- Forces shaping the modern world;
- Renaissance
- Exploration and Discovery;
- A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilization
- Freedom Movement in India
- French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution
- War of American Independence,
- Impact of Science and Technology on Society
- Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration
- Concept of one World
- Basic Understanding of India’s Five Year Plans
- United Nations,
- Panchsheel,
- Panchayati Raj, Democracy, Socialism, and Communism
- Role of India in the present world
- Co-operatives and Community Development
- Bhoodan, Sarvodaya,
- National Integration and Welfare State
- Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi
NDA Syllabus – Geography
- The Earth, its shape and size
- Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition
- Latitudes and Longitudes
- Weather Essentials: Temperature, Pressure, Winds, Cyclones, Humidity, Condensation, Precipitation
- Concept of time
- Types of Climate
- International Date Line
- Major Natural Regions of the World
- Movements of Earth and their effects
- Regional Geography of India
- Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources;
- Agricultural and Industrial Activity Locations
- Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification
- Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India
- Weathering—Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes
- Main items of Imports and Exports of India
NDA Syllabus – Current Affairs Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years. Prominent personalities of both Indian and International levels Cultural activities and sports activities Current important world events.
Intelligence and Personality Test The SSB procedure consists of two stages. Only those candidates who clear the written exam are permitted to appear for the SSB round. The details are given below:
NDA SSB Personality Test Stage I
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR)
- Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT).
Stage II
- Interview (IO)
- Group Testing Officer Tasks (GTO)
- Psychology Tests (Psych)
- Conference
Uncovering Officer-Like Qualities: The Role of IO, GTO, and Psychological Tests in SSB Recommendation Decisions.