NDA Exam Pattern 2026 - Check NDA 1 Exam Complete paper pattern
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 - Union Public Service Commission specified the UPSC NDA exam pattern 2026 in their official notification at upsc.gov.in. The exam pattern of UPSC NDA 1 2026 contains the basic information about the mode of the exam, total marks, number of questions, etc. According to the exam pattern, the UPSC NDA exam consists of two papers - Mathematics paper and the General Ability Test (GAT).
This Story also Contains
- NDA Exam Pattern 2026 - Overview
- NDA Marking Scheme 2026
- NDA Syllabus 2026
- Best Books To Prepare For NDA 2026
Candidates must acquaint themselves with the NDA exam paper pattern before preparing for the exam. Along with the exam pattern, it is also important to use the NDA exam syllabus to get an idea of how the exam might appear. Both NDA paper 1 and paper 2 holds a total of 900 marks. The NDA exam 2026 is conducted in two stages, the written exam and the SSB interview. Candidates can find comprehensive information about the NDA 2026 exam pattern below.
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 - Overview
NDA Exam Mode | Offline |
Language/Medium of NDA exam | English & Hindi (Except for English section - questions in English only) |
No. of Papers | 2 (Mathematics & GAT) |
Time allotted for each paper | 2 hours 30 minutes |
No. of questions and marks for mathematics | 120 for 300 marks |
No. of questions and marks for GAT | 150 for 600 marks |
Types of questions | Objective (MCQ type) |
Quick Links: How to join NDA after class 12th?
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for Written Examination
The first stage of the NDA exam is a written exam. The written NDA 2026 exam consists of two papers, Mathematics and GAT. All the details related to the exam pattern of NDA 2026 are mentioned in the table below -
Exam Pattern Of NDA 2026 Written Test
Papers | Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
Paper 1 | Mathematics | 300 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Paper 2 | GAT | 600 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Total | 900 | 5 hours | |
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for Mathematics
Total Marks | 300 |
Marks allotted to each question | 2.5 |
Negative marking for each incorrect response | -0.83 |
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for General Ability Test (GAT)
Sections | Maximum marks | |
Part A - English | 200 | |
Part B - General Knowledge | Physics | 400 |
Chemistry | ||
General Science | ||
History, Freedom Movement, etc. | ||
Geography | ||
Current Events | ||
Total | 600 | |
Quick Links: NDA salary 2026 and career growth
NDA Exam Pattern 2026 for SSB Interview
There are two stages in the SSB interview - stage I and stage II. As per the NDA SSB interview, it consists of a total of 900 marks and is held over a period of 4 to 5 days. There is a negative marking in the NDA written exam. Candidates must clear stage I of the SSB to be eligible to appear for stage II. Check the following details related to the NDA SSB in the table below -
NDA Interview Scheme
Stages of SSB Interview | 2 |
Duration | 4-5 Days |
Maximum Marks | 900 |
SSB Interview - Stage-I
In this stage, candidates have to take two tests - the Officers Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and the Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT). Only those candidates who clear this stage will appear for Stage II.
SSB Interview - Stage-II
In this stage of the SSB interview, candidates have to go through Group Testing Officers Tasks, Psychology tests, and the Conference. These tests will be conducted over 4 days.
SSB Interview Stages
Stages | Tests | |
Stage-I | Screening Test | Verbal and non-verbal tests. PPDT |
Stage-II | Psychological Test |
|
Group Testing Officers Test |
| |
Personal Interview | ||
Conference | ||
Also Read: How to join Indian Air Force?
NDA Marking Scheme 2026
According to the marking scheme of NDA, one-third will be deducted for each wrong answer. Candidates must also note that no marks will be deducted for unanswered questions. Check the NDA marking distribution and scheme in the following table below.
NDA Marking Scheme Mathematics
Particulars | Mathematics |
NDA exam total marks | 300 |
Marks allotted to each question | 2.5 |
Negative marking for each incorrect response | -0.83 |
NDA Marking Scheme GAT
Particulars | GAT |
NDA exam total marks | 600 |
Marks allotted to each question | 4 |
Negative marking for each incorrect response | -1.33 |
Quick Links: How to crack the UPSC NDA exam?
NDA Syllabus 2026
Along with the exam pattern, candidates must also be aware of the topics of utmost importance in the NDA syllabus 2026, that need to be prepared. Below are the NDA exam topics -
NDA Exam Syllabus
Subject | Topics |
Mathematics |
|
GAT |
|
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Best Books To Prepare For NDA 2026
After knowing about the syllabus and UPSC NDA exam pattern it is important to head towards the study materials. Although UPSC NDA is based on 10+2 level there are few books that can help candidates sharpen their preparations. It is essential that candidates make use of the best resources to prepare for the UPSC NDA exam. Some of the best books for the NDA 2026 exam are -
Best Books for NDA 2026
NDA Books | Authors |
Class 12th Mathematics | RS Aggarwal |
Exam Specific NDA Entrance Exam | ES Ramasamy |
General Science Guide for Competitive Exams CSAT/NDA/CDS/Railways/SSC/UPSC/State PSC/Defence | Disha Publications |
Social Problems in India (Indian Society - GS 1) | Ram Ahuja |
How To Prepare For NDA 2026?
The first and foremost strategy is to know what you are going to encounter, then on how to prepare for the NDA 2026 exam. In this case, the exam pattern of NDA 2026 and the syllabus is the most important thing.
Candidates must strategize their preparations well before time to be able to ace NDA 2026.
Allot a specific amount of time to study for each subject.
While solving the NDA question papers 2026, candidates can know about the question paper pattern of previous years By using a timer, they will also be able to speed up their question-solving abilities as well. With the help of UPSC NDA question papers, aspirants can also evaluate themselves to identify topics that they find difficult to score in.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are there negative marks in the NDA exam?
A:
Yes, it is. One-third of the marks are deducted if answered incorrectly. In mathematics, each question carries 2.5 marks and 0.83 marks are deducted for wrong answers. Similarly, in GAT, each question carries 4 marks and 1.33 marks are deducted for wrong answers.
Q: What are the total marks of the NDA 2026 exam?
A:
NDA written examination will be conducted for a total of 900 marks, out of which 300 are for mathematics and 600 are for GAT. Candidates who clear the written exam appear for the SSB interview which is conducted for 900 marks.
Q: What happens if I score the total cutoff marks of the NDA examination but do not score 25% in Mathematics?
A:
It is mandatory that all candidates score the minimum qualifying marks and cut off in order to clear the written exam. Aspirants must score 25% in both mathematics and GAT.
Q: What are the total marks allotted for NDA 2026 exam?
A:
NDA written exam 2026 is conducted for a total of 900 marks, out of which 300 are for mathematics and 600 are for GAT. Candidates who clear the UPSC NDA written exam will appear for the SSB interview which is conducted for 900 marks.
Q: When will the NDA 1 2026 exam be conducted?
A:
The NDA 1 2026 exam will be conducted on April 12, 2026.
Q: When will the NDA 2 application 2026 be released?
A:
The NDA 2026 application form has been released on December 10, 2025 at upsc.gov.in.
Q: What is the UPSC NDA salary given to a candidate clear the examination?
A:
Cadets get a stipend of Rs. 56,100 per month. In hand NDA salary is given based on rank.
Q: What is the difficulty level of mathematics in the NDA examination?
A:
The difficulty level of the mathematics exam is of class 12th-level in the NDA written examination.
Q: What are the total marks allotted to GAT and mathematics?
A:
The total marks allotted to GAT is 600 whereas Mathematics will be conducted for 300 marks.
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Hello, aspirant
To prepare for the National Defence Academy Exam 2026, first understand the NDA syllabus and exam pattern. Focus on Mathematics and General Ability Test. Start with NCERT books (Classes 9 to 12) to build basics. Practice previous years’ question papers regularly. Read newspapers daily for current affairs.
Yes, you can start preparing for NDA after Class 11. However, you need to qualify in Class 12 to be eligible for NDA exam. You can also prepare by practising the NDA best books from Careers360.
Applicants born between July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2010 are eligible for NDA exam. The maximum age limit for NDA 2 exam is 19.5. Along with this, aspirants should have passed the 12th class from a recognized board.
You can check NDA eligibility criteria here.
You can check and download NDA 1 and 2 Question Paper: https://competition.careers360.com/articles/upsc-nda-question-paper-2025
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