UPSC NDA & NA 2026 Syllabus PDF - Download Latest UPSC NDA & NA Syllabus for All Subjects

Updated By Pratha Shishodia on 12 Dec, 2025 17:59

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UPSC NDA Syllabus 2026

UPSC NDA Syllabus 2026 for the written examis divided into two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). When preparing for the UPSC NDA exam, candidates should go through the syllabus in detail. They should possess a clear understanding of the topics and try to complete the syllabus in advance. The candidates should also check the exam pattern and marking scheme while preparing the topics. The topics with high marks should be given more weightage. The NDA 2026 exam syllabus covers key topics from classes 11 and 12. Go through the page in detail to get the complete UPSC NDA Paper I and II Syllabus 2025 for preparation.

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UPSC NDA & NA II 2026 Exam Pattern

As stated above, the UPSC NDA & NA (I) 2026 exam was divided into two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test. The NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for  UPSC NDA & NA (I) 2026 for both Mathematics as well as GAT is given below:

UPSC NDA & NA Mathematics Exam Pattern

Paper I of NDA is the test of Mathematics we study in classes 11 & 12. The examination pattern and other highlights for mathematics papers are provided in this article:

Examination NameUPSC NDA & NA Paper I: Mathematics
Exam Timing10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Maximum Marks300 Marks
Total Number of Questions120
Marks awarded for each Correct answer2.5 marks
Negative Marking1/3
Marks deducted for each wrong answer0.83
Duration of Paper I2 Hour 30 Mins

 Paper II for UPSC NDA & NA is the General Ability Test (GAT). The NDA syllabus 2026 for GAT is based on Class X subjects. The examination pattern and other highlights for the GAT paper are provided in the table below:

Examination NameUPSC NDA & NA Paper II: GAT
Exam Timing14:00 PM - 16:30 PM
Maximum Marks600 Marks
Total Number of Questions150
Marks Awarded for each Correct answer4 Marks
Negative Marking1/3
Marks Deducted for each wrong answer1.33 Marks
Duration of Paper I2 Hour 30 Mins

NDA Syllabus 2026 - Paper 1 (Mathematics)

The comprehensive UPSC NDA syllabus 2026 for mathematics paper is given in this article:

Unit 1: Trigonometry                      {Approx. Number of Questions: 25- 30}

  • Arcs and angles
  • Trigonometric Ratios
  • Trigonometric Identities
  • Heights and Distances
  • Inverse Trigonometry
  • Properties of a Triangle

 Unit 2: Algebra                               {Approx. Number of Questions: 25- 30}

  • Sets and Venn diagrams
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Sequence and Series
  • Permutation and Combinations
  • Logarithm
  • Bionomial Theorem

Unit 3:Matrices and Determinants         {Approx. Number of Questions: 5- 10}

  • Matrices: Types; Operation on Matrices; Adjoint of a matrix; Inverse of a matrix; order of a matrix; Non zero triangular matrix
  • Determinants: Rules governing determinants; Value of determinant; Minor and Cofactors; Creamers law

Unit 4: Geometry- 2 D                            {Approx. Number of Questions: 10- 15}

  • Cartesian System: Distance formula; Section Formula;
  • Line: Equation of a line; Slope of a line; Intersection of lines; Parallel and perpendicular lines; System of lines
  • Triangles: Types of triangles; Properties; Points related to a triangle; Similarity of triangles
  • Circle: Equation; Properties; Concentic circles; Tangents; Chords
  • Parabola
  • Ellipse
  • Hyperbola

Unit 5: Geometry- 3 D              {Approx. Number of Questions: 5- 10}

  • Points in three dimensional space: 3-D Distance formula; Section Formula
  • Direction Ratios
  • Direction Cosines
  • Plane: Equation; Parallel and perpendicular planes
  • Sphere: Equation; Points in a sphere; radius of a sphere

Unit 6: Calculus                   {Approx. Number of Questions: 25- 30}

  • Relations and functions
  • Limits
  • Differentiation
  • Integration
  • Differential equations
  • Application of derivatives
  • Definite Integrals
  • Maxima and Minima

Unit 7: Statistics and Probability            {Approx. Number of Questions: 15- 20}

  • Central Tendency: Mean; Median; Mode
  • Mean: Types of Mean; Combined mean
  • Median: Using Formula
  • Mode: Using Formula
  • Variance
  • Mean Deviation; Standard Deviation
  • Graphs: Bar Graph; Pie Chart; Histogram; Frequency Polygon; Ogive
  • Correlation and Regression
  • Probaility: Definition; General Formula; Mutually exhaustive and inclusive events; Complementary Probability
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Probability Distribution

Unit 8: Vector Algebra                       {Approx. Number of Questions: 5- 10}

  • Vectors: Definition; Two and Three Dimensional Vectors; Unit Vector; Position vector
  • Operations on a vector
  • Scalar Multiplication; Vector Multiplication
  • Vector Product: Dot Product; Cross Product 
  • Applications: Force; Work Done; Moment of Force

NDA Syllabus 2026 - Paper II (General Ability Test)

UPSC NDA & NA Paper II is the General Ability Test. GAT paper contains a lot of sections and is quite a diverse exam. There are a total of 150 questions asked in this paper. Out of these 150 questions, The English Section Comprises of 50 questions while the rest 100 questions are asked from subjects like Science, History, Political Science, Geography, Economics, and Current affairs.

The comprehensive NDA syllabus 2026 and exam pattern for Paper II are given below.

Section 1.  English

  • Grammar and usage
  • Vocabulary
  • Comprehension
  • Parts of Speech
  • Tenses
  • Use of Prepositions
  • Spotting the Errors
  • Antonyms and Synonyms
  • Idioms and Phrases
  • Sentence rearrangement (PQRS type)

Section 2. General Knowledge

Science

  • Physical Properties and States of Matter
  • Motion in one & two dimensions
  • Projectile motion
  • Physical phenomenons like: Force; Pressure; Friction; Surface tension; Archimides principle, etc.
  • Sound: Natural and Forced Vibrations; Resonance
  • Optics: Mirrors and lenses
  • Static and Current Electricity
  • Conductors, Insulators and semi-conductors
  • Magnetism
  • Simple Harmonic Motion: Simple Pendulum
  • Atoms and Molecules
  • Periodic Table
  • Elements and their Properties
  • Physical and Chemical changes
  • Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon dioxide
  • Oxidation and Reduction
  • Physical Chemistry: Mole Concept
  • Cell and its Constituents
  • Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals
  • Human Body and its important organs
  • Glands and Hormones
  • Genes
  • Common Epidemics: causes and prevention
  • Constituents of food, Balanced Diet

History, Freedom Movement, etc

  • Factors which shaped the modern world
  • Rennaisance
  • Explorations and Discoveries
  • Civilizations across the globe in ancient world
  • Contemproray World: WWI & WWII
  • Second World Countries
  • Third World Countries
  • Indian History & Culture
  • Indian National Movement
  • Emminent Personalities
  • First War of Independence
  • Assertive Nationalist
  • Indian Independence Act
  • The Non Aligned Movement
  • UN and its agencies

Political Science

  • Constituent Assembly
  • Making of the Indian Constitution
  • Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution
  • Important Articles and Sections of the Constitution
  • Important Parliamentary Procedures
  • Panchayati Raj in India
  • Constitutional Bodies
  • India and its relations with the Neighbouring Countries
  • Indian Democracy

Geography

  • Shape and Dimensions of the Earth
  • Latitudes and Longitudes
  • International Date Line (IDL) & International Time Line/ Greenwich Mean time (GMT)
  • Change in time with longitude
  • Origin of Earth and its Internal Structure
  • Earthquakes and Volcanoes
  • Ocean Currents and Tides
  • Atmosphere and its Composition
  • Temperature
  • Planetary Winds: Cyclones and Anti-cyclones
  • Condensation and Precipitation
  • Types of Climate
  • Indian Geography: Physical Relief like water bodies, mountains, etc.
  • Indian Geography: Climate, Natural Vegetation, Soil, Mineral and Power resources
  • Indian Geography: States, Population, Population Density,etc.

Current Affairs

  • Sports 
  • Awards and Discretions
  • Dance Forms
  • International Events
  • National Events
  • Government Policies
  • Recent Appointments
  • Famous Personalities in News

Check out the Full syllabus of UPSC NDA & NA Paper-II (General Ability Test) here.

UPSC NDA Syllabus 2026 for SSB

The SSB or Personality and Intelligence Test for UPSC NDA & NA consists of two stages of the selection process. The full syllabus for this is given here in PDF format.  

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