UPSC NDA 2026 Syllabus PDF – Latest Topics, Pattern & Marking Scheme

UPSC NDA Syllabus 2026

Candidates need to understand the syllabus before moving to the UPSC NDA 2026 exam pattern. The NDA 2026 syllabus covers mathematics, including subtopics such as Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus, Statistics, and Probability, etc. Along with the mathematics section, the NDA syllabus also includes subjects like English, Physics, Chemistry, and current affairs, etc.

NDA Syllabus 2026 for Mathematics

Algebra- Concept of set, operations on sets, Venn diagrams. De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Real numbers, Complex numbers, Modulus, Cube roots, Conversion of a number in a Binary system to Decimals, and vice versa. Arithmetic, Geometric, and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations, Linear inequalities, Permutation and Combination, Binomial theorem, and Logarithms.

Calculus- Concept of a real-valued function, domain, range, and graph of a function. Composite functions, one-to-one, onto, and inverse functions. The notion of limit, Standard limits, Continuity of functions, and algebraic operations on continuous functions. Derivative of a function at a point, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative-application. Derivatives of sum, product, and quotient of functions, a derivative of a function concerning another function, and the derivative of a composite function. Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima

Matrices and Determinants- Types of matrices, operations on matrices. Determinant of a matrix, basic properties of determinants. Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix, Applications-Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by Cramer’s rule and by Matrix Method.

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Integral Calculus and Differential Equations- Integration as inverse of differentiation, integration by substitution and by parts, standard integrals involving algebraic expressions, trigonometric, exponential, and hyperbolic functions. Evaluation of definite integrals - determination of areas of plane regions bounded by curves - applications.Definition of order and degree of a differential equation, formation of a differential equation by examples. General and particular solutions of differential equations, solutions of the first order, and first-degree differential equations of various types - examples. Application in problems of growth and decay.

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 in two and three dimensions, magnitude, and direction of a vector. Unit and null vectors, the addition of vectors, scalar multiplication of a vector, scalar product, or dot product of two vectors. The vector product or cross product of two vectors. Applications—work done by a force and the moment of a force, and in geometrical problems.

Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimensions- Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate System. Distance formula. Equation of a line in various forms. The angle between two lines. Distance of a point from a line. Equation of a circle in standard and general form. Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Eccentricity and axis of a conic. In a three-dimensional space, the distance between two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation two points. Direction Cosines and direction ratios. Equation of a plane and a line in various forms. The angle between two lines and the angle between two planes. Equation of a sphere.

Statistics and Probability- Probability: Random experiment, outcomes, and associated sample space, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, impossible and certain events. Union and Intersection of events. Complementary, elementary, and composite events. Definition of probability—classic and statistical—examples. Elementary theorems on probability—simple problems. Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem—simple problems. Random variable as a function on a sample space. Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to the Binomial distribution.

NDA Syllabus 2026 for GAT

The NDA GAT (General Ability Test) comprises two papers, English and General Knowledge. The English paper consists of 200 Marks while the General Knowledge is of 400 Marks.

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NDA English Syllabus- The question paper in English will be designed to test the candidate’s understanding of NDA English. It covers various aspects like: Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension, Selecting Words etc to test the candidate’s proficiency in English.

The UPSC NDA English syllabus covers various topics such as spotting errors, comprehension, selecting words, ordering of words in a sentence, sentence improvement, antonyms, and synonyms.

NDA General Knowledge Syllabus- The question paper on General Knowledge will cover subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Affairs. It will also include topic-wise number of questions, mark distribution, and subject-wise syllabus topics.

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, Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current, Power and Energy, Measurement of Electrical Power, Effects of Heat, Primary and Secondary Cells, Measurement of Temperature and Heat, Use of X-Rays, General Principles in the working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass, Lightning Conductors, Safety Fuses.

NDA Syllabus for Chemistry- Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction, Acids, bases and salts, Carbon— different forms, Physical and Chemical Changes, Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial, Elements, Material used in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gunpowder, Mixtures and Compounds, Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom, Symbols, Formulae, and simple Chemical Equation, Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems), Valency, Properties of Air and Water

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NDA Syllabus for General Science- Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention, The 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, Elementary knowledge of the Human Body and its important organs, The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists

NDA Syllabus for the History of the Freedom Movement- Forces shaping the modern world, Renaissance, Exploration and Discovery, A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation, 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, Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India, 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 for Geography- The Earth, its shape and size, Ocean Currents and Tides, Atmosphere and its composition, Latitudes and Longitudes, Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and 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, Location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities, 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 for Current Affairs- Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years, Prominent personalities of both Indian and International level, Cultural activities and sports activities, and current important world events.

UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2026

UPSC provides the NDA 2026 exam pattern in the official notification. According to the paper pattern, there are two papers - Mathematics and GAT, consisting of a total number of 120 questions and 150 questions, respectively. The total time duration for each paper of NDA 2026 is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Check the brief exam pattern in the table that is given below.

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NDA Exam Pattern

Note- Time Duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes for each subject.