UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025: Subject-wise Syllabus PDF Download

Shubhangini Priyadarshi

Updated on - Mar 20, 2025

Table of Contents

UPSC NDA Exam Syllabus
SSB Interview Syllabus (Stage II)
UPSC NDA Syllabus PDF Links

UPSC NDA Syllabus 2025 is designed by the Union Public Service Commission depending on the requirement of the job post. The candidates can find the official NDA syllabus on the official website upsc.gov.in. The UPSC NDA 2025 examination will be conducted in two phases, where Paper 1 consists of Mathematics and Paper 2 consists of General Ability. Questions asked in the NDA exam will be picked from NCERT books mostly and are of the level of Class 9-12th standard.

Aspirants must ensure that they plan and prepare adequately to crack the UPSC NDA 2025 exam. Candidates can also download the official syllabus in the PDF format mentioned in the article. The UPSC NDA 1 2025 Exam is scheduled to be held on Apr 13, 2025. Applicants are advised to go through the UPSC NDA syllabus and exam pattern provided in the sections below.

UPSC NDA Exam Syllabus

The NDA 2025 exam will be conducted in two phases. For a better result, preparation of the syllabus is of utmost importance. The syllabus for NDA exam is divided into two parts - Mathematics and General Ability. Important topics from each part are given below. The UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2025 will summarize the marking scheme and negative marking included in the paper.

UPSC NDA Mathematics Syllabus

The topics included in the UPSC NDA exam are as follows:

Topic Name	Detailed Particulars
Algebra	The concept of sets, operations on sets, and Venn diagrams. De Morgan laws, Cartesian product, relation, equivalence relation. Representation of real numbers on a line Complex numbers—basic properties, modulus, argument, cube roots of unity Binary system of numbers Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system and vice-versa Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic Progressions Quadratic 17 equations with real coefficients The solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs Permutations and Combinations Binomial theorem and its applications Logarithms and their applications
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
Trigonometry	Angles and their measures in degrees and in radians Trigonometrical 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 2 and 3 Dimensions	Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system Distance formula Equation of a line in various forms The angle between two lines The distance of a point from a line Equation of a circle in staNDA 2nd and in general form StaNDA 2nd forms of parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola Eccentricity and axis of a conic A point 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
Differential 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, StaNDA 2nd 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, derivative of a function to another function, derivative of a composite function Second-order derivatives Increasing and decreasing functions Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minimal
Integral and Differential Calculus	Integration as inverse of differentiation, integration by substitution and by parts, staNDA 2rd 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, solution of the first order and first-degree differential equations of various types—examples Application in problems of growth and decay
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 and 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 staNDA 2rd 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 Binominal distribution

NDA General Ability Syllabus

The syllabus of NDA General Ability is given below:

The question paper on General Knowledge will broadly cover the subjects - Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Events.
The syllabus given below is designed to indicate the scope of these subjects included in this paper.
The topics mentioned are not to be regarded as exhaustive and questions on topics of similar nature not specifically mentioned in the syllabus may also be asked.
The candidate’s answers are expected to show their knowledge and intelligent understanding of the subject.

Topics	Detailed Particulars
Section A: 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 transference 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 Non-conductors, Ohm’s Law, Simple Electrical Circuits, Heating, Lighting and Magnetic effects of Current, Measurement of Electrical Power, Primary and SecoNDA 2ry 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; Lightening Conductors, Safety Fuses.
Section B: 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 in the preparation of substances like Soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gun-Powder Elementary ideas about the Structure of Atom, Atomic Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Valency.
Section C: General Science	Difference between the living and non-living Basis of Life—Cells, Protoplasms, and Tissues Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals Elementary knowledge of Human Body and its important organs Common Epidemics, their causes, and prevention. Food—Source of Energy for man Constituents of food, Balanced Diet. The Solar System—Meteors and Comets, Eclipses Achievements of Eminent Scientists
Section D: History, Freedom Movement and the like	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
Section E: 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 Anti-cyclones; 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
Section F: Current Events	Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in recent years Current important world events Prominent personalities—both Indian and International including those connected with cultural activities and sports.

SSB Interview Syllabus (Stage II)

Only those candidates who clear SSB Interview Stage I are permitted to appear for Stage II. The details are as follows:

Part I comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and the Picture Perception & Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on the combination of their performance in their OIR Test and their PP&DT.
Part II Comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. These tests are conducted over 4 days.