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Sandeep Pratap Singh
Written By Sandeep Pratap Singh
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The NDA 1 2027 syllabus is split across two papers. Mathematics (300 marks) tests eight Class 11–12 topic blocks, from Algebra to Statistics and Probability. The General Ability Test (600 marks) covers English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks). Both are objective papers on 11 April 2027.


UPSC is scheduled to release the NDA & NA Examination (I) 2027 notification on 2 December 2026. Until then, this syllabus follows the current UPSC scheme, and we'll update the page the day the notice is out.


Below, you'll find topic-wise tables for both papers, the Maths chapters that carry the most weight, a plan to finish before April, and a free syllabus tracker.


NDA 1 2027 Syllabus at a Glance

The NDA 1 2027 syllabus is divided into Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). GAT is further split into English and General Knowledge, so candidates need to prepare for both numerical and theory-based subjects.

Paper / Section

Major Areas

Weightage

Mathematics

  • Algebra
  • Matrices
  • Trigonometry
  • Geometry
  • Calculus
  • Vectors
  • Statistics
  • Probability

300 Marks

GAT - English

  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary
  • Comprehension
  • Correct Usage

200 Marks

GAT - General Knowledge

  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • General Science
  • History
  • Geography
  • Current Events

400 Marks

Quick Summary: Mathematics builds problem-solving skills, while GAT tests language ability and general awareness across multiple subjects.


NDA 1 2027 Exam Pattern

Stage

Subjects

Questions

Marks

Duration

Correct /Wrong

Paper I

Mathematics

120

300

2.5 hrs

+2.5 / −0.83

Paper II

General Ability Test (English + GK)

150

600

2.5 hrs

+4 / −1.33

SSB Interview

Intelligence & personality testing

-

900

5 days

-

Final merit

Written + SSB

-

1,800

-

-


  • A wrong answer costs one-third of that question's marks. 
  • Unattempted questions carry no penalty, but marking more than one option counts as wrong. 
  • Many prep sites still print outdated figures, so trust us and the official notice.


For eligibility, wing-wise options and the full selection process, see our complete NDA 1 2027 guide.


📥 Free download: NDA 1 2027 Syllabus Tracker

Want a savable syllabus? The free NDA 1 2027 Syllabus Tracker covers Maths and GAT to keep your preparation organised.


Download Now

Has the NDA Syllabus Changed for 2027?

No. UPSC hasn't announced any change to the NDA syllabus for 2027. The same two-paper structure, eight Maths blocks and six GK subject areas have appeared in NDA notifications since at least 2010, so you can start preparing for the current syllabus today.


The final word, though, sits in the NDA & NA (I) 2027 notification on upsc.gov.in, due on 2 December 2026. We'll compare it line by line with the 2026 notice and flag any differences here.


NDA Maths Syllabus 2027 (Paper I)

The NDA 1 2027 Maths syllabus covers eight official topic blocks in 120 questions. Most concepts sit at roughly Class 11–12 NCERT level. Candidates should prepare each block systematically because the paper tests both conceptual understanding and the ability to solve objective questions quickly.


Topic-Wise NDA Maths Syllabus

Topic Block

What It Covers

Weightage

Algebra

  • Sets
  • Venn diagrams
  • De Morgan’s laws
  • Cartesian products
  • Relations
  • Real numbers
  • Complex numbers
  • Binary numbers
  • Arithmetic progression
  • Geometric progression
  • Quadratic equations
  • Permutations and combinations
  • Binomial theorem
  • Logarithms

22-28 Questions - Highest Weightage

Matrices & Determinants

  • Types of matrices
  • Matrix operations
  • Determinants
  • Properties of determinants
  • Adjoint
  • Inverse
  • Solving simultaneous equations

9-12 Questions

Trigonometry

  • Trigonometric ratios
  • Trigonometric identities
  • Multiple and sub-multiple angles
  • Inverse trigonometric functions
  • Applications involving height and distance

10-15 Questions

Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D)

  • Cartesian coordinates
  • Distance between points
  • Straight lines
  • Angle between lines
  • Circles
  • Parabola
  • Ellipse
  • Hyperbola
  • Three-dimensional coordinates

15-25 Questions

Differential Calculus

  • Functions
  • Limits
  • Continuity
  • Derivatives
  • Derivative of composite functions
  • Second-order derivatives
  • Increasing and decreasing functions
  • Maxima and minima

12-18 Questions

Integral Calculus & Differential Equations

  • Integration
  • Standard integrals
  • Integration by substitution
  • Integration by parts
  • Definite integrals
  • Applications involving area
  • Differential equations

12-18 Questions

Vector Algebra

  • Vectors in two and three dimensions
  • Magnitude
  • Direction
  • Unit vectors
  • Addition of vectors
  • Scalar product
  • Vector product

5-8 Questions

Statistics & Probability

  • Classification of data
  • Frequency distribution
  • Mean
  • Median
  • Mode
  • Variance
  • Standard deviation
  • Probability
  • Conditional probability
  • Bayes’ theorem
  • Binomial distribution

5-10 Questions


These eight areas form the core of the NDA Mathematics syllabus and should be treated as a master checklist while preparing. 


Is NDA Maths Harder Than Class 12 Boards?

The concepts overlap, but the test doesn't. Boards reward full working, while NDA gives you about 75 seconds per question and penalises guesses. Option elimination and speed matter more than long derivations.


NDA GAT Syllabus 2027 (Paper II)

The General Ability Test carries 600 marks, two-thirds of the written total. That's why GAT usually decides the final rank more than Maths does. It has 150 questions across two parts: 50 in English and 100 in General Knowledge.


Part A: English Syllabus (200 Marks)


UPSC tests how well you understand and use English, not literary knowledge. Expect questions on:

Topic Block

What It Covers

Weightage

Spotting Errors

  • Subject-verb agreement
  • Tenses
  • Prepositions
  • Articles

8-10 Questions

Comprehension

  • Reading a passage and answering questions on main idea and inference

5-7 Questions

Fill in the Blanks

  • Vocabulary
  • Context clues
  • Conjunctions

5-6 Questions

Sentence Improvement

  • Choosing the grammatically correct version

5-6 Questions

Synonyms & Antonyms

  • Word meanings from a given list

4-5 Questions

Idioms & Phrases

  • Common expressions and their meanings

3-4 Questions

Ordering of Sentences

  • Arranging jumbled sentences logically

3-4 Questions

Active & Passive Voice

  • Converting sentences between voices

2-3 Questions

Direct & Indirect Speech

  • Converting between direct and reported speech

2-3 Questions

Tenses

  • Correct usage of present, past and future forms

3-4 Questions


English is the most controllable section in GAT. Daily practice moves the score faster here than anywhere else.


Part B: General Knowledge Syllabus (400 Marks)


GK spans six subject areas. Unlike the English part, this section is set in both Hindi and English.

GK Section

Key Topics

Weightage

Physics

  • Physical Properties and States of Matter, Modes of Transfer 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.

25%

Chemistry

  • Physical and chemical changes, elements, mixtures, compounds, symbols, formulae, simple chemical equations.
  • Laws of chemical combination (excluding numerical problems), properties of air and water.
  • Preparation and properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide.
  • Oxidation and reduction processes, acids, bases, salts.
  • Different forms of carbon.
  • Natural and artificial fertilizers.
  • Materials for producing soap, glass, ink, paper, cement, paints, safety matches, gunpowder.
  • Atomic structure, atomic weight, equivalent weight, molecular weight, valency.

15%

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

10%

History & Freedom Movement

  • Broad survey of Indian history, culture, and ancient civilizations.
  • Freedom movement in India.
  • Elementary study of the Indian Constitution and administrative machinery.
  • Five-Year Plans of India, Panchayati Raj, cooperatives, community development.
  • Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration, Welfare State, teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Modern world forces: Renaissance, exploration, discovery, War of American Independence.
  • French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Russian Revolution.
  • Impact of science and technology on modern society.
  • Concepts of One World, United Nations, Panchsheel, Democracy, Socialism, Communism.
  • Role of India in the modern world.

20%

Geography

  • The Earth: shape, size, latitudes, longitudes, concept of time, International Date Line.
  • Movements of Earth and their seasonal effects, origin of Earth.
  • Rocks and their classification, mechanical and chemical weathering, earthquakes, volcanoes.
  • Ocean currents and tides.
  • Atmosphere composition, temperature, atmospheric pressure, planetary winds, cyclones, anti-cyclones.
  • Humidity, condensation, 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 Indian agricultural and industrial activities.
  • Important seaports, main sea, land, and air routes of India.
  • Main items of imports and exports of India.

20%

Current Events

  • Recent important happenings and events in India
  • Important international happening and events
  • Prominent Indian personalities as well as International personalities connected with cultural activities and sports
  • Heritage and Culture
  • Military exercises and locations
  • Defence deals and countries
  • Recent wars between countries
  • Geographical locations of countries involved in war
  • Important appointments
  • Latest sports events held in India and abroad
  • New schemes launched by the Government of India
  • Important international seminars and their venues
  • Important days and their themes
  • Latest books and authors
  • National and international awards and ceremonies
  • Recent seminars and meetings related to climate change
  • Important constructions such as tunnels and bridges
  • Constitutional articles and provisions in the news
  • Important places covered in the news recently

10%


📥 Keep the Complete NDA 1 2027 Syllabus With You

Track every Maths block and GAT subject as you complete it with the free NDA 1 2027 Tracker, which includes ready-to-use syllabus checklists.


Download the Free NDA 1 2027 Syllabus


How to Cover the NDA 1 2027 Syllabus Before 11 April?

You have roughly six months. Split them into three phases so revision and mocks don't get squeezed out at the end.

Phase

Months

Focus

1. Cover

Oct-Dec 2026

Finish all eight Maths blocks and GK theory; 20–30 minutes of English daily

2. Consolidate

Jan-Feb 2027

Solve topic-wise PYQs, fix weak blocks, balance board prep

3. Compete

Mar-Apr 2027

Full-length timed mocks, error logs, negative-marking control


If you're in Class 12, use the overlap. Board Maths and Physics revision doubles as NDA prep, so plan your PYQ practice around your board date sheet, not against it.


Key Takeaway: Finish the syllabus by February. March is for mocks, not new chapters.


Take a free NDA mock test early in Phase 1 to see where you actually stand. Still choosing a prep format? Compare online vs. offline NDA coaching.


Is the NDA Syllabus the Same for Army, Navy and Air Force?

Yes. The NDA written syllabus is the same for Army, Navy and Air Force candidates. Everyone appearing for the exam takes the same Mathematics and GAT papers.


What changes is the educational eligibility for different wings. Army candidates can apply with Class 12 from any stream, while Navy and Air Force entries require Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12.


How Major Kalshi Classes Helps You Finish the NDA Syllabus?

Knowing the syllabus is step one. Finishing it on time, with the right priorities, is where most aspirants struggle. Here's how Major Kalshi Classes approaches that:


  • Weightage-first teaching: NDA 1 2027 batches move through the syllabus by question frequency, not textbook order, so high-yield blocks come first.
  • Faculty-led doubt clearing: faculty led by Academic Director Saurabh Singh run daily doubt sessions in small batches.
  • Exam-true mocks: free online mock tests use UPSC's exact marking scheme, so your practice scores actually mean something.
  • Early SSB readiness: MKC’s SSB books, covering OIR to the interview, help you start personality prep before the written result.


Explore our NDA 1 2027 batches, or see how the full NDA selection process works after the written exam.


Conclusion: Your Next Step

The NDA 1 2027 syllabus comes down to two papers: eight Maths blocks worth 300 marks, and a 600-mark GAT split between English and General Knowledge. With GAT carrying twice the weight, neither paper can be an afterthought. UPSC confirms the details on 2 December, but there's no reason to wait.


Your next move is simple: Download the Free NDA 1 2027 Syllabus Tracker, take a free baseline mock, and speak to our counselors about NDA 1 2027 batches.


Take the Free Mock Test | Talk to a Counsellor


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