NDA Exam Pattern 2025, Check Marking Scheme for GAT and Math

The NDA exam is conducted twice a year and comprises a written exam and an SSB interview. Check out the Marking Scheme and Mark distribution for the GAT and Math Papers.

Table of Contents

The NDA Exam Pattern 2025 includes a written exam followed by an SSB interview, which is the selection process. Candidates who applied for the NDA Form will take the written exam, covering Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT), with a total of 270 objective questions and a combined 900 marks. A minimum of 25% in each section is required, along with a qualifying overall cutoff, and there is a negative marking for incorrect answers. Candidates who pass the written exam are eligible for the SSB interview, which is divided into two stages: OIR and PP & DT tests in Stage 1 and psychology tests with a final conference in Stage 2, which totals 900 marks.

UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2025

Union Public Service Commission conducts the NDA Exam twice a year in two stages, in April and September, to recruit candidates for Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy courses. The NDA Exam Pattern 2025 consists of a written exam and an SSB interview. The NDA exam is divided into two sections:

Stage 1: Written Test (Mathematics and GAT)
Stage 2: Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB)

Particulars	Details
Name of the Exam	NDA
Conducting Body	Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam Conducted in A Year	Twice a Year
Mode of Examination	Offline (Pen and paper)
Medium of Examination	English
Number of Sections	2
Question Paper Type	Objective or MCQ
Total Number of Questions	270 Questions (120 from Mathematics and 150 from GAT)
Total Marks for Entrance Test	900 Marks (300 Marks for Mathematics and 600 Marks for GAT)
Negative Marking	Yes (0.83 marks for Mathematics and 1.33 marks for GAT)
Exam duration	2.5 hours (Each Section)

Also Check NDA Syllabus 2025

NDA Written Exam Pattern 2025

Mathematics and GAT are two subjects in written tests for the NDA Exam Pattern. Papers are written nature (pen & paper format). Candidates can get an in-depth insight into both subjects below.

Papers	Subject	Maximum marks	Duration
Paper 1	Mathematics	300	2 ½
Paper 2	GAT	600	2 ½
Total		900	5 hours

NDA Mathematics Exam Pattern 2025

Maths Paper consist of various important topics like Differential calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Statistics & Probability for 300 marks and the maximum time duration to attempt it is 2.5 hours. The table given below breakout a detailed NDA Mathematics paper:

NDA Exam Pattern for Maths
Total Marks	300 Marks
Total No. of Questions	120
Correct Answer	2.5 marks
Marks deducted for each wrong answer	0.83
Total duration of Mathematics Paper	2 Hours 30 Minutes

Also, Check NDA Previous Year Question Paper

NDA Marking Scheme

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has established the format for the NDA Exam 2025. This exam is scheduled to be conducted offline, with all questions presented as multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The exam will be available in both English and Hindi.

The NDA exam consists of two main sections:

Mathematics
General Ability Test (GAT)

Section Details

Mathematics Section:
- Total Questions: 120
- Total Marks: 300
- Each correct answer awards 2.5 marks.
- Each incorrect answer deducts 0.83 marks.
General Ability Test (GAT):
- Total Marks: 600
- Divided into English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks).
- Total Questions: 150
  - English: 50 questions
  - General Knowledge: 100 questions
- Each correct answer in GAT awards 4 marks.
- Each incorrect answer deducts 1.33 marks.

Elements	Mathematics	GAT
Total Questions	120	150
Total Marks	300	600
Marks allotted to each correct answer	2.5	4
Negative marking for each incorrect response	-0.83	-1.33

Also, Check NDA Salary

NDA Mathematics Marks Distribution

The NDA Mathematics section covers several key topics, each contributing to the overall score of 300 marks. Calculus is a major focus, with questions typically worth between 50 and 62.5 marks. Quadratic Equations are another essential area, carrying a weight of 37.5 to 50 marks. Matrices and Determinants represent a significant portion of the exam, valued at 75 marks. Probability questions contribute 25 marks, and Trigonometry holds another crucial 75-mark segment. Complex Numbers, an important concept, usually carry 25 to 37.5 marks. Altogether, these topics create a comprehensive foundation for the NDA Mathematics section, allowing candidates to strategically focus on high-weight areas to maximize their scores in this 300-mark section.

Topics	Marks
Calculus	50-62.5
Quadratic Equations	37.5-50
Matrices and Determinants	75
Probability	25
Trigonometry	75
Complex Number	25-37.5
Total Marks	300

Negative Marking

Subject	NDA Negative Marking
Maths	-0.83

Also, Check NDA Age Limit

NDA General Ability Test Paper Marks Distribution

NDA General Ability Test Paper marks distribution for English and GK section is 200. Check out the details below:

Sections	Sub-sections	Maximum Marks
Part-A-English	English	200
Part-B-General Knowledge	Physics	100
	Chemistry	60
	General Science	40
	Indian History, Indian National Movement	80
	Geography	80
	Current events	40
	Total	600

NDA SSB Interview Pattern 2025

All candidates who passed the written test and met the qualifications for NA and NDA postings were interviewed by the Services Selection Board (SSB), and a call letter was then provided to you with all the pertinent details, including the interview’s date, time, and place. The psychological aptitude test and the intelligence test are two different examinations that are part of the NDA SSB Interview round. Only candidates who successfully complete Phase 1 will be eligible for Phase 2, which includes the other examinations. The SSB Round process is finished in around 5 days overall. Applicants for the Air Force must be able to pass the Computerized Pilot Selection System (CPSS).

NDA SSB Interview Phases

SSB Interview Phases
Phase 1	Day 1: Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and Picture Perception & Description Test (PP & DT).
Phase 2	Day 2: Psychology Tests Day 3: GTO (Group Testing Officer) Tasks Day 4: Interview Day 5: Conference

NDA Document Verification

One of the most important steps in the NDA Selection Procedure is the document verification and submission process. At the time of the interview, the chosen candidates must present their supporting documentation so that it can be checked. In order to complete the verification process, the following documents are needed:

Certificate of completion of 10th or 10+2 as proof of education
Caste verification for qualified candidates.
Identification documentation.
Evidence of residence

FAQs

What is the NDA exam pass mark?

To pass the NDA Written Examination, candidates must achieve a minimum of 25% in each subject. Candidates who pass the written exam will be invited to the SSB interview.

Can one qualify for SSB without coaching?

Yes, one can. There are many officers who have cracked the SSB exams without any coaching.

How necessary is physical fitness for SSB?

The significance of being physically and psychologically fit for the services must be understood by all applicants who have a yearning to join the Indian Armed Forces.

What is the number of papers in the NDA exam?

General Ability and Mathematics Total Marks: The Mathematics paper is worth 300 points, while the General Ability test is worth 600 points. The written exam will be worth 900 points.

Where is the NDA SSB interview held?

NDA SSB Interview 2022 2AFSB or Air Force Selection Board is situated in Sidharth Nagar of Mysore's CV Complex. Here are also held the SSB interviews for the NDA and CDSE, as well as the PABT test for IAF candidates whose SSB is at Bangalore's Selection Center South.

Is the NDA SSB exam tough?

In contrast to other competitive tests, NDA exams are regarded as being challenging. due to the broad syllabus, lengthy written exams, group discussions, interviews, medical examinations, and physical and mental assessments that they also administer.

Is selection in NDA easy?

The NDA selection process is neither easy nor difficult. This exam requires a better understanding of mathematics and a General Ability to pass the written exam along with psychological aptitude, intelligence and medical fitness.

How tough is the NDA interview?

The most difficult test to pass to enter the Indian Defense Forces is the NDA exam. To be accepted into the National Defense Academy, a candidate must succeed in both the written exam and the SSB interview. During the SSB interview, psychological aptitude and IQ are evaluated.