UPSC NDA, and NA (II) Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) (II) Examination 2025, opening recruitment for 406 posts across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Naval Academy. This examination is a prestigious opportunity for young aspirants aiming to serve the nation. To excel in this competitive exam, understanding the syllabus and exam pattern is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare.

Process Overview

Stage	Description	Applicable Posts
Written Examination	Pen-and-paper test assessing core subjects	All applicants
SSB Test/Interview	Personality evaluation over five days	Shortlisted candidates
Document Verification	Verification of academic details	SSB-cleared candidates
Medical Examination	Health and fitness evaluation	Selected candidates

UPSC NDA & NA (II) Selection Process

Selection Stages

1. Written Examination: Tests Mathematics and General Ability (General Knowledge and English).
2. SSB Test/Interview: Comprehensive five-day evaluation of intelligence, personality, and group skills.
3. Document Verification: Verification of academic and identity documents to meet UPSC criteria.
4. Medical Examination: Assessment of physical and medical fitness based on UPSC standards.

Exam Pattern for UPSC NDA & NA (II) Examination 2025

Paper	Section	Questions	Marks	Duration
Paper I	Mathematics	120	300	2.5 Hours
Paper II	General Ability Test (GAT)	150	600	2.5 Hours
Total (Written)			900
SSB Interview			900

Note: All papers will consist of objective-type questions. The Mathematics paper and Part “B” of the General Ability Test will be available in both Hindi and English.

Syllabus for Written Examination

Paper-I: Mathematics (300 Marks)

Topic	Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example
Algebra	1. Set Theory and Relations Sets Venn diagrams De Morgan’s laws Cartesian product Relations Equivalence relations 2. Number Systems Representation of real numbers Complex numbers (modulus, argument, cube roots of unity) Binary system conversions 3. Progressions and Equations Arithmetic progression (AP) Geometric progression (GP) Harmonic progression (HP) Quadratic equations 4. Algebra and Calculations Linear inequalities Permutation and combination Binomial theorem Logarithms	~50	Solve x2−4x+3=0x^2 – 4x + 3 = 0x2−4x+3=0.
Matrices and Determinants	1. Matrices Types of matrices Properties of determinants Adjoint of a matrix Inverse of a matrix 2. Applications of Matrices Solving linear equations using: – Cramer’s rule – Matrix method	~30	Find the inverse of [2153]\begin{bmatrix} 2 & 1 \\ 5 & 3 \end{bmatrix}[25​13​].
Trigonometry	1. Angles and Ratios Angles in degrees and radians Trigonometric ratios Trigonometric identities 2. Formulas and Functions Sum and difference formulas Multiple angle formulas Inverse trigonometric functions 3. Applications Height and distance problems	~40	Calculate the height of a tower given the angle of elevation is 45∘45^\circ45∘.
Analytical Geometry	1. 2D Geometry Cartesian coordinate system Distance formula Equations of: – Lines – Circles – Conics (parabola, ellipse, hyperbola) 2. 3D Geometry Equations of planes Equations of spheres Distance between points Direction cosines	~50	Find the equation of the circle passing through three points (1, 2), (3, 4), and (5, 6).
Differential Calculus	1. Fundamentals of Calculus Limits Continuity Derivatives 2. Applications of Derivatives Increasing and decreasing functions Maxima and minima Second-order derivatives Composite functions	~40	Find the derivative of y=x3+2x−5y = x^3 + 2x – 5y=x3+2x−5.
Integral Calculus	1. Fundamentals of Integration Definite integrals Standard integrals 2. Applications Area under curves Applications in geometry 3. Methods of Integration Substitution method Integration by parts	~30	Evaluate ∫03(x2+4x+1)dx\int_0^3 (x^2 + 4x + 1) dx∫03​(x2+4x+1)dx.
Vector Algebra	1. Fundamentals of Vectors Magnitude and direction Unit vectors 2. Operations on Vectors Scalar (dot) product Vector (cross) product 3. Applications of Vectors Work done by a force Applications in geometry	~30	Calculate the angle between a⃗=i+j\vec{a} = i + ja=i+j and b⃗=2i−j\vec{b} = 2i – jb=2i−j.
Statistics and Probability	1. Statistics Frequency distributions Measures of central tendency: – Mean – Median – Mode Variance Standard deviation 2. Probability Definitions of probability Conditional probability Bayes’ theorem Binomial distribution	~30	Calculate the probability of flipping two coins and getting exactly one head.

Paper-II: General Ability Test (600 Marks)

Part A: English (200 Marks)

Topic	Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example
Grammar	1. Parts of Speech Nouns Pronouns Adjectives Verbs Adverbs Prepositions Conjunctions Interjections 2. Grammar Concepts Tenses Subject-verb agreement Articles 3. Voice and Speech Active and passive voice Direct and indirect speech 4. Sentence Structure Sentence correction	~40	Identify the error: “She is going to the market.”
Vocabulary	Synonyms Antonyms Idioms and phrases Word formation Spellings One-word substitutions Proverbs	~40	The synonym for “Lucid” is ____.
Comprehension	1. Passage-Based Questions Themes Central ideas Tone Main idea Inference Vocabulary in context	~60	What is the central idea of the passage?
Sentence Arrangement	1. Sentence Arrangement Logical ordering of sentences (Para Jumbles) Sentence sequencing Coherent paragraph formation	~60	Arrange: [A] Birds chirped, [B] Morning dawned, [C] The sun rose.

Part B: General Knowledge (400 Marks)

1. Physics

Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example
Physical properties, states of matter, density, Archimedes’ principle, pressure (barometer), motion, velocity, acceleration.	~100	State Archimedes’ Principle.
Newton’s laws, force and momentum, equilibrium, gravitation, work, power, and energy.		What is the formula for kinetic energy?
Heat: Measurement, temperature, change of state, latent heat, modes of heat transfer.		Define specific heat capacity.
Waves: Properties of sound, simple musical instruments.		What is the frequency of the human audible range?
Light: Rectilinear propagation, reflection, refraction, spherical mirrors, lenses, human eye.		Explain the working of a convex lens.
Magnetism: Properties, earth as a magnet, static and current electricity, Ohm’s law, circuits, heating/magnetic effects of current.		State and explain Ohm’s Law.

2. Chemistry

Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example
Physical and chemical changes, elements, mixtures, compounds, symbols, formulae, and simple equations.	~60	What is the chemical formula for water?
Law of chemical combination, properties of air and water, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, acids, bases, salts.		Write the reaction for the preparation of hydrogen.
Oxidation and reduction, fertilizers (natural and artificial), materials like soap, glass, ink, paper, cement, safety matches.		Name one artificial fertilizer and its use.
Elementary ideas of atomic structure, atomic/molecular weights, and valency.		What is the atomic weight of hydrogen?

3. General Science

Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example
Difference between living and non-living things, basic cell structure, protoplasm, tissues.	~40	What is the function of mitochondria in a cell?
Growth and reproduction in plants and animals, knowledge of the human body and its organs.		Name the organ that pumps blood in the human body.
Common epidemics, their causes, and prevention.		What is the cause of malaria?
Food as a source of energy, constituents of food, balanced diet.		List the main components of a balanced diet.
Solar system: Meteors, comets, eclipses.		What causes a solar eclipse?
Achievements of eminent scientists.		Who is the inventor of the telephone?

4. History

Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example
Indian history: Broad survey, culture, civilization, freedom movement, Constitution and administration.	~80	Who led the Quit India Movement?
Panchayati Raj, Five-Year Plans, cooperatives, community development.		What is the main goal of Panchayati Raj?
Global history: Renaissance, exploration, discovery, American and French Revolutions, Industrial and Russian Revolutions.		What were the causes of the French Revolution?
Impact of science and technology on society, United Nations, democracy, socialism, communism.		Name the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

5. Geography

Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example
Earth: Shape, size, latitudes, longitudes, International Date Line, movements of Earth and their effects.	~80	What causes day and night on Earth?
Rocks and classification, weathering (mechanical and chemical), earthquakes, volcanoes.		Name three types of rocks.
Atmosphere: Composition, temperature, pressure, winds, cyclones, precipitation, climates, natural regions of the world.		What are the main types of rainfall?
Indian geography: Climate, natural vegetation, resources, agriculture, industry.		Name two main crops grown in India.
Important seaports, land and air routes in India, imports and exports.		Which port handles the maximum cargo in India?

6. Current Events

Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example
Important national and international events, achievements in sports, science, and culture.	~40	Who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature?
Prominent personalities (Indian and international).		Name the current President of India.

SSB Test/Interview (900 Marks)

Stage	Detailed Subtopics	Marks	Example/Activity
Stage 1: Screening Test		NA
– Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIRT)	Verbal and non-verbal reasoning, puzzles, series completion, coding-decoding, analogy.	~50	Q: Find the next number in the series: 2, 4, 8, 16, __?
– Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)	Candidates are shown an image and asked to describe it by writing a story and discussing it in a group.	~50	Q: Write a story about a boy helping a community during a flood after seeing a related image.
Stage 2: Psychological Tests		NA
– Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)	Candidates are shown 12 pictures (including a blank one) and must write a story for each within 4 minutes.	~75	Q: Write a story based on a picture showing a group of people working on a machine.
– Word Association Test (WAT)	60 words are displayed for 15 seconds each, and candidates must form sentences with each word.	~60	Q: Word: “Friendship” → Sentence: Friendship is built on trust and understanding.
– Situation Reaction Test (SRT)	60 situations are presented, and candidates must provide their reactions to each within 30 seconds.	~60	Q: Situation: “You see a child drowning in a river.” → Reaction: “I would immediately jump in to save the child and call for help.”
– Self-Description Test (SDT)	Candidates write about themselves, covering their strengths, weaknesses, opinions of family/friends, and aspirations.	~55	Q: Describe how your family perceives your leadership skills.
Stage 3: Group Testing Officer Tasks		NA
– Group Discussion (GD)	Topics related to social issues, current affairs, or abstract concepts.	~60	Q: Discuss the impact of social media on youth.
– Group Planning Exercise (GPE)	Group problem-solving activity with given resources and constraints.	~60	Q: Plan a rescue operation for flood victims in a remote village with limited boats and medical supplies.
– Progressive Group Tasks (PGT)	Physical group tasks require teamwork to overcome obstacles.	~70	Q: Cross a 5-meter wide ditch using only planks and ropes provided.
– Half Group Tasks (HGT)	Same as PGT but with a smaller group for closer observation of individual contributions.	~50	Q: Build a bridge using wooden planks to cross a hypothetical gap.
– Command Task	The candidate acts as a leader to solve a task with selected group members under their command.	~60	Q: Guide a team to transport a heavy box across a simulated obstacle course.
– Snake Race/Group Obstacle Race	A competitive task requiring teamwork to navigate through obstacles while carrying a snake-like object.	~50	Q: Lead the team to finish the race while ensuring coordination and safety.
Stage 4: Personal Interview	One-on-one interaction assessing personality, motivation, general awareness, and suitability for military service.	~200	Q: Why do you want to join the Armed Forces?
Stage 5: Conference and Final Assessment	Panel review of candidate’s performance across all tasks and final recommendations.	~50	Q: Final decision made based on cumulative performance and impression in the conference.

Document Verification

Step	Description	Required Documents
Document Submission	Submission of originals and photocopies	Certificates (10th, 12th), ID proofs
Document Verification	Thorough validation of submitted documents	Educational and identity verification

Medical Examination and Fitness 

Category	Requirement	Example
Height	Male: 157 cm; Female: 152 cm (Relaxation for certain regions).	Gorkhas: Minimum 152 cm.
Weight	Proportional to height based on the chart provided.	Refer to the NDA height-weight chart.
Vision	Corrected: 6/6 in both eyes; Myopia ≤ -2.5 D, Hypermetropia ≤ +2.5 D.	Candidate with 6/36 uncorrected vision qualifies if corrected vision is 6/6.
Hearing	Normal hearing (6 meters conversational voice).	Candidate must hear whisper clearly from 6 meters.
Common Disqualifications	Tonsillitis, varicocele, ovarian cyst (>6 cm), severe dysmenorrhea.	Candidates with active tuberculosis are disqualified.

Final Selection

Candidates are placed on a merit list based on:

1. SSB Performance: Overall assessment across all interview stages.
2. Document Verification: Accuracy and completeness of records.
3. Medical Examination: Physical and medical fitness.

Recommended Books and Resources

Topic	Recommended Books
Mathematics	R.S. Aggarwal’s Quantitative Aptitude
English	Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar
General Knowledge	Lucent’s General Knowledge

Strategic Preparation Plan for UPSC NDA, and NA 2025

Time Slot	Activity	Focus Area
Morning (6-8 AM)	Core Subject Revision	Mathematics, English
Afternoon (2-4 PM)	Mock Tests	Time Management, Accuracy
Evening (6-8 PM)	Current Affairs	General Knowledge, Updates

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Neglecting Weak Areas: Identify and improve on weak subjects.
2. Skipping Mock Tests: Regular tests enhance time management and accuracy.
3. Ignoring Current Affairs: Stay updated daily.

Important Links

Title	Link
UPSC Official Website	Click Here
Examination Notification	Download Here
Join our WhatsApp channel	Join Now

Also Read: UPSC Recruitment

Conclusion

The UPSC NDA & NA (II) Examination 2025 offers a prestigious opportunity to join India’s Armed Forces. A well-structured preparation plan and in-depth knowledge of the syllabus can help candidates excel. Begin your preparation today to achieve success in this highly competitive exam.

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