NDA Mock Test Free 2026 — Maths + GAT Pattern, Syllabus & SSB
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is conducted by UPSC twice a year (April and September) to recruit candidates for the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy, and the Indian Naval Academy.
NDA is one of the few national-level exams that allows candidates to apply right after Class 12 — making it the youngest gateway to officer-cadre defence careers in India. Successful candidates undergo 3 years of training at NDA Khadakwasla followed by 1 year at IMA / INA / AFA, after which they are commissioned as Lieutenants / Sub-Lieutenants / Flying Officers.
Selection has two stages: Written Exam (900 marks total — Maths 300 + GAT 600), followed by the SSB Interview (900 marks across 5 days). The total selection score is therefore 1800 marks.
संक्षिप्त परिचय
NDA परीक्षा UPSC द्वारा साल में दो बार आयोजित की जाती है। यह 12वीं के बाद थलसेना, नौसेना, वायुसेना में अधिकारी बनने का अवसर देती है।
चयन दो चरणों में — लिखित परीक्षा (900 अंक: Maths 300 + GAT 600) और SSB Interview (900 अंक, 5 दिन)।
योग्यता: NDA Army के लिए 12वीं पास (कोई भी विषय)। NDA Navy/Air Force के लिए 12वीं Physics + Mathematics के साथ। आयु: 16.5–19.5 वर्ष। केवल अविवाहित पुरुष + महिला उम्मीदवार पात्र।
Exam Pattern
NDA written exam has two papers — Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (GAT, 600 marks). Both are conducted on the same day, in pen-and-paper offline mode, with multiple-choice questions and negative marking.
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks / Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I — Mathematics | 120 (MCQ) | 300 marks · 150 min |
| Paper II — GAT: English | 50 | 200 marks · part of 150 min |
| Paper II — GAT: General Knowledge | 100 | 400 marks · part of 150 min |
| GAT Total | 150 | 600 marks · 150 min |
| Written Total | 270 | 900 marks · 300 min total |
| SSB Interview | 5-day testing | 900 marks (Stage 1 + Stage 2) |
| Grand Total | — | 1800 marks |
Negative marking: 1/3rd of the marks allotted to the question are deducted for every wrong answer in both Maths and GAT. Sectional cut-off in Maths: Candidates must score at least 25% in Maths to qualify for SSB. Mode: Offline pen-and-paper, OMR-based.
Syllabus — Topic-wise Breakdown
Mathematics (300 marks, Class 11–12 level)
Algebra (Sets, Relations, Functions, Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Sequences & Series, Permutations & Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Logarithms), Matrices & Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry of 2-D and 3-D, Differential Calculus (Limits, Continuity, Differentiability, Applications), Integral Calculus & Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Statistics & Probability.
GAT — English (200 marks)
Grammar & Usage (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Subject-Verb Agreement, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech), Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms & Phrases, One-word Substitution, Spelling Correction), Reading Comprehension (multiple passages), Cloze Test, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles, Sentence Completion.
GAT — Physics (~100 marks of GK section)
Physical Properties & States of Matter, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density, Specific Gravity, Newton's Laws of Motion, Force, Momentum, Energy, Work, Power, Sound Waves, Light Effects (reflection, refraction), Heat, Temperature, Electricity, Magnetism, Modern Physics basics. NCERT Physics Class 9–10 level.
GAT — Chemistry, Biology, GS, History, Geography, Polity, Current Affairs
Chemistry: Atoms, Molecules, Properties of substances, Common chemical compounds, Acids/Bases/Salts, Air, Water, Carbon. Biology: Cell, Reproduction, Plant & Animal kingdoms, Human body, Common diseases. General Science: Solar System, Eclipses, Climate. Indian History (Freedom Movement, post-Independence), Geography (Indian + World basics), Polity (Constitution, Government structure), Economics basics, Current Affairs of last 6–9 months — defence, sports, awards, summits.
SSB Interview — 5-day Process
Day 1 — Stage 1: OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) + PPDT (Picture Perception & Discussion). Day 2: Psychology Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, SD). Day 3 & 4: GTO (Group Tasks — GD, GPE, PGT, HGT, Lecturette, Individual Obstacles, Command Task). Day 5: Personal Interview + Conference. SSB tests Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs): courage, initiative, planning, social adaptability, self-confidence, determination, organising ability.
Preparation Tips & Strategy
1. Mathematics — NCERT 11/12 First, Then NDA-Specific Books
NCERT Class 11 + 12 Maths covers ~85% of NDA Maths syllabus. Read both NCERTs cover-to-cover. Then move to NDA-specific books like RS Aggarwal Pathfinder for problem variety. Solve every solved example from NCERT first.
2. English — Vocabulary + Reading Comprehension Mastery
GAT English has 50 questions / 200 marks. Vocabulary alone can fetch you 60–80 marks if you build a daily 10-word list habit. RC questions need speed reading practice — 3 passages/day from The Hindu / Indian Express editorials.
3. GK is Vast — Use NCERTs (6–10) + One Compendium
GK section has 100 questions / 400 marks across History, Geography, Civics, Science, Current Affairs. Build base from NCERTs Class 6–10. Add one general knowledge compendium (Lucent's GK or Manorama Yearbook). Daily 30 min current affairs.
4. Solve Last 15 Years of NDA PYQs
NDA repeats themes heavily — 25–30% of Maths questions and 35% of GK questions in any year are conceptually rooted in PYQs. Solve last 15 years subject-wise (one subject at a time, then mixed practice).
5. SSB Preparation Starts Day 1 — Not After Written Result
SSB tests cannot be cracked in 30 days. Build officer qualities all year — physical fitness (5km run, push-ups, pull-ups), reading habit, current affairs, public speaking, group leadership. Watch Lt Cdr Rumson Balla's SSB videos and Cdr Bakshi's books.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NDA 2026 exam pattern?
NDA written exam has two papers — Mathematics (300 marks, 120 MCQ, 150 min) and GAT (600 marks, 150 MCQ, 150 min). Both papers are offline pen-and-paper with negative marking of 1/3rd. Total written = 900 marks. SSB Interview is another 900 marks (5-day process). Grand total = 1800 marks.
What is the eligibility for NDA?
For NDA Army wing: 12th pass in any stream. For NDA Navy & Air Force wings: 12th pass with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. Age: 16.5–19.5 years (as on the cut-off date in notification). Candidates must be unmarried (both male and female applicants are now eligible).
When did female candidates become eligible for NDA?
Female candidates became eligible for NDA from the November 2021 examination, following a Supreme Court judgment in August 2021. The first batch of women cadets joined NDA in July 2022. NDA now reserves seats for women across Army, Navy and Air Force wings.
What is the SSB Interview?
The Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview is a 5-day comprehensive officer-selection process testing Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs). Stage 1 (Day 1): OIR + PPDT (screening). Stage 2 (Days 2-5): Psychology tests, Group Testing Officer tasks, Personal Interview, and Conference. SSB carries 900 marks — equal weight to the written exam.
How many attempts are allowed for NDA?
There is no limit on the number of NDA attempts. Candidates can apply as many times as they want as long as they meet the age criteria (16.5–19.5 years). UPSC conducts NDA twice a year (April and September), giving candidates up to 6 attempts in their eligible age window.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न (हिंदी में)
NDA 2026 परीक्षा पैटर्न क्या है?
NDA लिखित परीक्षा में दो पेपर — Mathematics (300 अंक, 120 MCQ, 150 मिनट) और GAT (600 अंक, 150 MCQ, 150 मिनट)। नेगेटिव मार्किंग 1/3 अंक। कुल लिखित = 900 अंक। SSB इंटरव्यू 900 अंक (5 दिन)। कुल मेरिट = 1800 अंक।
NDA के लिए योग्यता क्य ा है?
NDA Army के लिए 12वीं (कोई भी विषय)। NDA Navy/Air Force के लिए 12वीं Physics + Maths के साथ। आयु 16.5–19.5 वर्ष। केवल अविवाहित पुरुष + महिला पात्र।
महिलाएं NDA में कब से शामिल हो सकती हैं?
सुप्रीम कोर्ट के अगस्त 2021 के निर्णय के बाद, नवंबर 2021 परीक्षा से महिला उम्मीदवार NDA में पात्र हैं। पहला महिला बैच जुलाई 2022 में NDA में शामिल हुआ।
SSB इंटरव्यू क्या है?
SSB (Service Selection Board) 5 दिवसीय अधिकारी चयन प्रक्रिया है। Stage 1 (Day 1): OIR + PPDT। Stage 2 (Days 2-5): मनोवैज्ञानिक परीक्षण, GTO कार्य, Personal Interview, और Conference। 900 अंक का।
NDA में कितने प्रयास मिलते हैं?
NDA में प्रयासों की कोई सीमा नहीं — आयु सीमा (16.5–19.5 वर्ष) में रहते हुए जितनी बार चाहें आवेदन कर सकते हैं। UPSC साल में दो बार NDA कराता है।
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