UPSC NDA I Exam Pattern 2024

National Defence Academy consists of two stages of selection of the candidates. First is the written exam & the other is the SSB (Service Selection Board) interview. After the candidates have completed their NDA registration form, they have to take a written test and clear the SSB interview. It is a test to examine the intelligence and personality of the candidates. For admission to Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of NDA and INAC, candidates get selected after the exam and interview.

NDA Exam Syllabus 2024
Mathematics (Code No. 01) 
Marks - 300

Algebra

Concept of set, operations on sets, Venn diagrams. De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation, The representation of real numbers on a line. Complex numbers, basic properties, modulus, argument, cube roots of 19 unity. Binary system of numbers. Conversion of a number in a decimal system to a binary system and vice-versa. Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic progressions. Quadratic equations with real coefficients. Solution of linear inequalities of two variables by graphs. Permutation and Combination. Binomial theorem and its applications. Logarithms and their applications. 

Matrices & 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 Matrix Method. 

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. 

Analytical Geometry of two & 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 the line. 
• Equation of a circle in standard and a general form. 
• Standard forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. 
• Eccentricity and axis of a conic. 
• Point in a three-dimensional space, the distance between two points. 
• Direction Cosines and direction ratios. 
• Equation two points. 
• 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.

Differential Calculus

• Concept of a real-valued function - domain, range, and graph of a function. 
• Composite functions, one to one, onto and inverse functions. Notion of limit, Standard limits—examples. 
• Continuity of functions - examples, algebraic operations on continuous functions. 
• Derivative of function at a point, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative - applications. 
• Derivatives of sum, product, and quotient of functions, a derivative of a function with respect to another function, derivative of a composite function. 
• Second-order derivatives. Increasing and decreasing functions. Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima. 

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. 
• Vector product or cross product of two vectors. 
• Applications—work done by a force and moment of a force and in geometrical problems. 

Statistics & Probability

• Statistics: Classification of data, Frequency distribution, cumulative frequency distribution—examples. 
• Graphical representation — Histogram, Pie Chart, frequency polygon — examples. 
• Measures of Central tendency—Mean, median, and mode. 
• Variance and standard deviation—determination and comparison. Correlation and regression. 
• 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—classical and statistical—examples. Elementary theorems on probability—simple problems. 
• Conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem — simple problems. 
• Random variable as function on a sample space. 
• Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binomial distribution. 

Integral Calculus & 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 solution of differential equations, solution of the first order, and first-degree differential equations of various types—examples. Application in problems of growth and decay. 

General Ability Test (Code No. 02) 
Marks - 600

English - Marks (200)
English question paper is created in such a way to test the candidate’s understanding of English and workman-like use of words. Different aspects like Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension, and cohesion in the extended text are included in the syllabus to test English proficiency.

General Knowledge - Marks (400)
General Knowledge includes a few subjects like Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Events. 

Physics  
Physical Properties and States of Matter, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density, and Specific Gravity, Principle of Archimedes, Pressure Barometer. The motion of objects, Velocity and Acceleration, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force and Momentum, Parallelogram of Forces, Stability and Equilibrium of bodies, Gravitation, elementary ideas of work, Power and Energy. Effects of Heat, Measurement of Temperature and Heat, change of State and Latent Heat, Modes of Transfer of Heat. Sound waves and their properties, Simple musical instruments. Rectilinear propagation of Light, Reflection, and refraction. Spherical mirrors and Lenses, Human Eye. Natural and Artificial Magnets, Properties of a Magnet, Earth as a Magnet. Static and Current Electricity, conductors and Nonconductors, Ohm’s Law, Simple Electrical Circuits, Heating, Lighting and Magnetic effects of Current, Measurement of Electrical Power, Primary and Secondary Cells, Use of X-Rays. General Principles in the working of the following: 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.

Chemistry 
Physical and Chemical changes. Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Symbols, Formulae and simple Chemical Equations, Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems). Properties of Air and Water. Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon dioxide, Oxidation and Reduction. Acids, bases, and salts. Carbon—different forms. Fertilizers—Natural and Artificial. The material used for the manufacturing of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and GunPowder. Elementary ideas about the structure of Atom, Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Valency. 

General Science
Difference between the living and nonliving, Basics of Life - Cells, Protoplasma, and Tissues, Growth & Reproduction in Plants and Animals. Elementary Knowledge of the human body and its important organs. 
Food—Source of Energy for man. Constituents of food, Balanced Diet. The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses. Achievements of Eminent Scientists. 

History 
A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation. Freedom Movement in India. Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration. Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India. Panchayati Raj, Co-operatives and Community Development. Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State, Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Forces shaping the modern world, Renaissance, Exploration, and Discovery; War of American Independence. French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Russian Revolution. Impact of Science and Technology on Society. Concept of one World, United Nations, Panchsheel, Democracy, Socialism, and Communism. Role of India in the present world.

Geography
The Earth, its shape and size. Latitudes and Longitudes, Concept of time. International Date Line. Movements of Earth and their effects. Origin of Earth. Rocks and their classification; Weathering - Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and Volcanoes. Ocean Currents and Tides Atmosphere and its composition; Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Planetary Winds, Cyclones, and Anticyclones; Humidity; Condensation and Precipitation; Types of Climate, Major Natural Regions of the World. Regional Geography of India—Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources; location and distribution of agricultural and Industrial activities. Important Sea ports and main sea, land, and air routes of India. Main items of Imports and Exports of India. 

Current Events
Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years. Current important world events. Prominent personalities—both Indian and International with those connected with cultural activities and sports. 23. 

NOTE 
Out of maximum marks assigned to part ‘B’ of this paper, questions on Sections ‘A’ ‘B’ ‘C’ ‘D’ ‘E’ and ‘F’ will carry approximately 25%, 15%, 10%, 20%, 20%, and 10% weightage respectively. 

Intelligence & Personality test
The SSB procedure consists of two-stage. Selection process - stage I and stage II. Those candidates who clear the Ist stage are permitted to appear for stage II. The details are : (a) Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests that are Picture Perception * Description Test (PP & DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on a combination of performance in the OIR Test and PP & DT. (b) Stage II Comprises Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. These tests take place for over four days.

FAQ's

What is the syllabus for NDA 2024?

The syllabus includes Mathematics and General Ability Test as the subjects. The NDA syllabus is usually the syllabus of class 10th to 12th standard. Mathematics includes the major topics like Trigonometry, Algebra, Differential Calculus, Statistics & Probability etc. General Ability includes sections like Physics, Chemistry, English, General Science, History, Geography etc. For the detailed NDA syllabus candidates can go through our blog by clicking on the link.
 

What are the maximum marks for Mathematics for UPSC NDA 2024?

The mathematics section in the NDA exam is out of 300 marks. The maximum marks for mathematics is 300. Whereas General Ability is out of 600 marks. The overall NDA written exam is out of 900 marks. The total marks for SSB interview is 900.
 

What are the topics to cover in Chemistry for the NDA exam?

Chemistry section of the NDA exam includes topics like Physical and Chemical changes. Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Symbols, Formulae and simple Chemical Equations, Law of Chemical Combination etc. For detailed NDA Chemistry topics candidates can follow our link.

Which is tough NDA exam or IIT exam?

The level of the exam depends on the hard work , dedication and passion of the candidate. Although both can be considered easy and tough according to their respective syllabus and pattern, candidates preparation is what makes the exam so. Generally, it is witnessed that the NDA exam is quite easier than the IIT exam. Most of the candidates who have applied for both the exams have found IIT tougher than NDA.