The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India to recruit candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA. The exam pattern and syllabus are designed to assess the candidates' knowledge and mental ability for the demands of military training.
Exam Pattern for NDA
The NDA exam is divided into two main parts:
- Written Examination
- SSB (Services Selection Board) Interview
1. Written Examination:
The written examination consists of two papers:
- Paper I: Mathematics
- Paper II: General Ability Test (GAT)
Mathematics Paper (Paper I):
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Total Marks: 300
- Type of Questions: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Topics Covered:
- Algebra: Sets, relations, complex numbers, quadratic equations, arithmetic progression, etc.
- Matrices and Determinants: Types of matrices, determinants, inverse, solution of linear equations, etc.
- Trigonometry: Trigonometric identities, solutions of triangles, height and distance.
- Calculus: Limits, continuity, differentiability, integration, applications of derivatives.
- Coordinate Geometry: Cartesian coordinates, distance formula, section formula, straight lines, circles, etc.
- Vector Algebra: Vectors, scalars, dot and cross products, etc.
- Statistics and Probability: Mean, median, mode, probability theory, etc.
- Differential Equations: Basic types, solutions of first-order and second-order equations.
- Linear Programming: Linear inequalities and optimization.
- General Mathematics: Basic arithmetic, set theory, indices, and logarithms.
General Ability Test (GAT) Paper (Paper II):
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Total Marks: 600
- Type of Questions: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
This paper is divided into two sections:
Section A: English (200 Marks)
- Topics Covered:
- Vocabulary (Synonyms and Antonyms)
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar (Sentence correction, Fill in the blanks, etc.)
- Idioms and Phrases
- Sentence Completion
- Use of words in context
- Comprehension of given passage
Section B: General Knowledge (400 Marks)
- Topics Covered:
- Physics: Laws of motion, work and energy, thermodynamics, properties of matter, waves, light, and sound.
- Chemistry: Atomic structure, periodic table, chemical bonding, acids and bases, organic chemistry, etc.
- General Science: Biology, human anatomy, environmental science, and scientific developments.
- Geography: Physical geography, world geography, map reading, and Indian geography.
- History: Ancient, medieval, and modern history of India.
- Current Events: National and international news, sports, awards, etc.
- Politics and Constitution of India: Structure, functions, and processes of the Indian government, the Constitution, and fundamental rights.
- General Awareness: Economic concepts, institutions, social issues, and scientific advancements.
2. SSB Interview (Services Selection Board Interview):
After qualifying the written examination, candidates are called for the SSB Interview, which assesses the candidate's personality and aptitude for service in the Indian Armed Forces. This interview is divided into several stages:
Stage 1: Screening Test
- Intelligence Test: Verbal and Non-Verbal reasoning.
- Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT).
Stage 2: Psychological Tests
- Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): Candidates are shown pictures and asked to write a story based on them.
- Word Association Test (WAT): A set of words is shown to the candidate, and they must quickly write a sentence with each word.
- Situation Reaction Test (SRT): A series of situations are presented, and the candidate must respond appropriately.
Group Testing: Includes group discussions, group tasks, outdoor tasks, and interview to assess leadership, teamwork, and physical fitness.
Personal Interview: The candidate's personal, academic, and extracurricular background is examined. Psychological traits, confidence, and ability to handle stress are evaluated.
Final Merit List:
The final merit list is based on the combined performance of the written exam and SSB Interview. The candidates who qualify the written exam and are recommended by the SSB are selected for training at the NDA.
Syllabus for NDA Examination
Mathematics Syllabus:
Algebra
- Algebraic expressions, factorization, linear and quadratic equations, complex numbers, permutations, and combinations.
Matrices and Determinants
- Types of matrices, inverse, determinants, solutions of linear equations.
Trigonometry
- Trigonometric identities, solution of triangles, height and distance, inverse trigonometric functions.
Analytical Geometry
- Cartesian coordinates, straight lines, circles, distance and section formulae, conic sections.
Calculus
- Limits, continuity, differentiation, integration, application of derivatives.
Differential Equations
- First and second-order differential equations, solution methods.
Vector Algebra
- Vectors, scalars, addition, scalar and vector products.
Statistics and Probability
- Probability theory, mean, median, mode, and standard deviation.
General Mathematics
- Arithmetic, basic set theory, indices, and logarithms.
General Ability Test (GAT) Syllabus:
English
- Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms), comprehension, sentence formation, grammar.
Physics
- Motion, laws of motion, work and energy, thermodynamics, magnetism, sound, light, and optics.
Chemistry
- Elements, compounds, acids, bases, organic and inorganic chemistry, periodic table.
General Science
- Biology, ecology, human body, plant and animal kingdom, environment, etc.
History
- Ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history, prominent leaders and freedom struggle.
Geography
- Indian and world geography, map reading, environmental issues, and natural resources.
Current Affairs
- National and international news, sports, economics, government schemes, etc.
General Knowledge
- Awareness about politics, economics, environmental issues, scientific developments.
Preparation Tips for NDA Exam:
- Time Management: Prepare a proper study plan, allocate enough time for each subject.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve as many previous years' papers as possible to get used to the exam pattern and difficulty.
- Physical Fitness: SSB also evaluates physical fitness, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential.
- Current Affairs: Stay updated with national and international events, as they are crucial for the GAT.
- Conceptual Understanding: Focus on building a strong foundation in mathematics and science, rather than rote learning.
By focusing on the syllabus, understanding the exam pattern, and preparing systematically, you can increase your chances of success in the NDA exam.