NDA Exam Pattern
NDA Paper I — Mathematics has 120 questions worth 300 marks in 150 minutes, across 1 section: Mathematics. Marking: −0.83 per wrong answer. NDA Paper II — General Ability Test has 150 questions worth 600 marks in 150 minutes, across 2 sections: Part A — English and Part B — General Knowledge. Marking: −1.33 per wrong answer (one-third). Every PaperYodha NDA mock follows this structure.
Paper I — Mathematics
| Section | Questions | Marks | Negative marking | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematicsगणित | 120 | 300 | −0.83 per wrong answer | — |
| Total | 120 | 300 | 150 min |
• NDA has two papers on the same day: Paper I (Mathematics, 300 marks) and Paper II (General Ability Test, 600 marks). Mock N Paper II is in the Paper II list.
• Each wrong answer costs one-third of the question's marks (0.83 of 2.5).
• English only for now; the real paper is bilingual (Hindi and English).
Source: UPSC NDA & NA Examination scheme (Paper I Mathematics: 120 questions, 300 marks, 2½ hours; one-third of the marks deducted for a wrong answer). Patterns can change with each notification, so always check the official notice.
Paper II — General Ability Test
| Section | Questions | Marks | Negative marking | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A — English | 50 | 200 | −1.33 per wrong answer (one-third) | — |
| Part B — General Knowledgeभाग B — सामान्य ज्ञान | 100 | 400 | −1.33 per wrong answer (one-third) | — |
| Total | 150 | 600 | 150 min |
• Each wrong answer costs one-third of the question's marks (1.33 of 4).
• General Knowledge follows the UPSC weighting: physics 25, chemistry 15 and general science 10 questions. The other 50 come from history, polity, geography and general awareness. Their exact split, and current events, is our approximation.
• English is in English only; General Knowledge is English only for now, though the real paper is bilingual.
Source: UPSC NDA & NA Examination scheme (Paper II General Ability Test: English 200 marks + General Knowledge 400 marks, 150 questions, 2½ hours). Patterns can change with each notification, so always check the official notice.
Selection process
- 1
Written examination
Paper I Mathematics (300 marks) and Paper II General Ability Test (600 marks), 2½ hours each, with negative marking.
- 2
SSB interview
A multi-day Services Selection Board assessment of intelligence and personality (900 marks).
- 3
Medical examination and merit list
Final merit is based on written and SSB marks together.