NDA Exam Pattern 2024: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prescribes NDA exam pattern along with the notification. NDA exam is conducted in pen and paper-based mode. All the questions asked in the exam are objective-type. NDA written exam comprises two papers-Maths and General Ability Test (GAT). NDA question Paper carries a total of 270 questions. The written exam comprises 900 marks. Candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each paper of NDA exam .There are negative marking for wrong answers in the exam.
Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview, conducted in two stages. The first stage comprises OIR and PP & DT tests and the second stage comprises psychology tests and the conference. The total marks allotted to SSB interview are 900. Candidates need to secure NDA cut off marks prescribed by UPSC for the written exam and SSB interview. We have provided the latest NDA exam pattern where candidates can get several important things about the NDA 2024 like the mode of exam, total marks allotted, the duration of the exam, types of questions asked, etc.
NDA Exam Pattern 2024
NDA exam pattern comprises details such as mode of exam, total marks allotted, the duration of the exam, types of questions asked, etc. The exam pattern helps candidates prepare for the upcoming NDA exam and secure a good rank. Understanding the NDA exam pattern is one of the first steps in ensuring success in the exam. By going through the exam pattern, candidates are able to understand the entire structure of the recruitment process.
NDA Exam Pattern Overview
Candidates can check below a few important highlights related to the NDA exam pattern.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Number of papers | GAT and Mathematics |
| Duration of test | GAT: 2 ½ hoursMathematics: 2 ½ hours |
| Exam time | GAT: 10 am to 12.30 pmMathematics: 2 pm to 4.30 pm |
| Number of questions | GAT: 150Mathematics: 120 |
| Language of question paper | English and Hindi |
| Total marks | Written Exam: 900 (600 for GAT and 300 for Mathematics)SSB Interview: 900 |
NDA Exam Pattern 2024 for Written Exam
The exam paper of NDA written exam is divided into two parts, GAT and Mathematics. All the questions in the exam will be objective type. There will be a total of 150 questions in GAT while the Mathematics part will carry a total of 120 questions. Each section of the exam will be held for 2 ½ hours. The GAT section will be for 600 marks while the Mathematics section will carry 300 marks. The GAT section is divided into two parts. Part A comprises English while Part B consists of General Knowledge. The structure of the NDA exam pattern for the written exam is given below.
| Papers | Subject | Maximum marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 300 | 2 ½ |
| Paper 2 | GAT | 600 | 2 ½ |
| Total | 900 | 5 hours | |
Candidates can check below the distribution of questions in the GAT paper.
Candidates can check below the distribution of questions in the GAT paper.
| Sections | Maximum marks | |
|---|---|---|
| Part A – English | 200 | |
| Part B – General Knowledge | Physics | 100 |
| Chemistry | 60 | |
| General Science | 40 | |
| History, Freedom Movement, etc. | 80 | |
| Geography | 80 | |
| Current Events | 40 | |
| Total | 600 | |
NDA Marking Scheme
There are NDA negative markings for incorrect answers, 1/3 of the marks allotted to each question are deducted for the incorrect answer. There is no deduction in marks for unanswered questions.
| Subject | NDA Negative Marking |
|---|---|
| GAT | -1.33 |
| Maths | -0.83 |
NDA Exam Duration
NDA exam duration is 5 hours, each paper is held for 2 ½ hours. NDA shift timings are given below.
| Shift | NDA Exam Timing |
|---|---|
| Morning | 10.00 am to 12:30 pm |
| Afternoon | 2.00 pm to 4:30 pm |
Important Topics for NDA Written Exam
The questions in Mathematics as per NDA syllabus aim to test a candidate’s calculative skill. The standard of questions is basically of Class 10, 11, and 12 levels. For the Mathematics section, candidates can prepare the following topics:
- Arithmetic
- Mensuration
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Statistics, etc.
- Matrices and Determinants
The GAT section of NDA question paper carries questions from English and General Knowledge. For the English section, candidates must focus on Grammar, Comprehension and Reading Abilities. In General Knowledge, candidates should focus on Current Affairs, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, etc.