NDA Exam 2020 | Confidant Classes for Career Consultancy and Coaching Classes

UPSC has stated that a joint exam for the NDA and NA (I) exam and the NDA & NA (II) exam, 2020 will take place on 09/06/2020. Instead of two exams, this year there will only be one entrance exam to the National Defense Academy and the Naval Academy, candidates who have applied for both exams will appear together.

Table of Contents

Admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA and during the Indian Naval Academy is conducted through an examination by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

As the exam is done twice a year, for 2020, the first review notice was issued on January 8, and the next review was scheduled for April 19. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the review was postponed. The exam will take place after the second notification will be published on June 10 and the application portal will be active until June 30.

NDA i.e National Defense Academy is one of the most sought after defense entry exams in the country. NDA recruitment is done for admission to the wings of the NDA Army, Navy and Air Force and the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). NDA exams are held twice a year. The exam takes place in two stages: written exam and SSB interview. About 4 lakh candidates come to the NDA each year, of which about 6,000 are called in for an interview with the SSB.

Educational Eligibility

Army Wing of National Defence Academy: Candidates must have passed Class 12/HSC under 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent from a recognised board or university.
Air Force, Navy and Naval Academy of National Defence Academy: Candidates must have passed Class 12/HSC under 10+2 pattern of school education with Physics and Mathematics conducted by a State Education Board or a University.

Selection Process

Written Exam: All the candidates who successfully register for the exam are required to appear for the written exam. The written exam comprises two sections – Mathematics and General Ability Test. The test carries a total of 900 marks. Candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam are called for SSB Interview.
SSB Interview: The SSB Interview is conducted for Intelligence and Personality Test. The test is conducted in two stages. All qualified candidates are put to stage 1 test on the first day of reporting at Selection Centres/Air Force Selection Boards/Naval Selection Boards. Candidates qualifying the first stage are called for the second stage exam. Those who will qualify the second stage are required to submit a birth certificate and pass certificate.
Final Selection: Candidates are finally selected for admission to admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and INAC based on their performance in written exam and SSB Interview. The final allocation will be done as per the number of vacancies subjected to candidates’ eligibility, medical fitness and merit-cum-preference.

Preparation Tips

To begin, candidates must be clear about the topics, model, and types of questions. Applicants must refresh their concepts from the NCERT class books 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The GAT includes a variety of topics such as chemistry, general science, geography, history, and current affairs. This section also includes a section in English. Applicants should review the topics they have studied. Take short, simple notes, as this will help candidates review quickly and correctly. Solve the quizzes from previous years and take a simulated test. Buy good books and question banks.

Subject (Code)	Duration (Maximum Marks)
Mathematics (01)	2½ hours (300 Marks)
General Ability Test (02)	2½ hours (600 Marks)
Total	900 Marks
SSB Test/Interview	900 Marks

Six months is considered as the ideal time for preparation. There will be objective types of questions in the entire subject. Questions papers or test booklets of mathematics and part “b” of general ability test will be set bilingually in Hindi as well as English. If prepared well NDA is not tough to crack. Candidates must be consistent in studies, clear their basic concepts and practice. 1/3 marks will be deducted as penalty for wrong answers.

Syllabus for Paper – 1 (Mathematics)

According to NDA exam pattern, Mathematics section carries a total of 120 questions. A total mark allotted to this section is 300. For correct answer 2.5 marks will be awarded. For wrong answer, 0.85 marks will be deducted. NDA question paper for Mathematics section is of 11 and 12 level. Candidates can clear their concept of Maths by referring to the NCERT books of Class 11 and 12. NDA syllabus 2020 for Mathematics is given below –

Trigonometry: Trigonometrical ratios,properties of triangles, Angles and their measures in degrees and in radians, Inverse trigonometric functions, Trigonometric identities Sum and difference formulae, Applications – Height and distance, Multiple and Sub-multiple angles.

Algebra: Complex numbers – basic properties, modulus, Conversion of a number in decimal system to binary system and vice-versa, Arithmetic, argument, cube roots of unity, Geometric and Harmonic progressions, Solution of linear inequations of two variables by graphs, Representation of real numbers on a line, Binary system of numbers, Binomial theorem and its application, Quadratic equations with real coefficients, Permutation and Combination, Logarithms and their applications.

Differential Calculus: Composite functions, one to one, onto and inverse functions, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative – applications, increasing and decreasing functions, Continuity of functions – examples, algebraic operations on continuous functions, Application of derivatives in problems of maxima and minima, Concept of a real valued function – domain, range and graph of a function, Notion of limit, Standard limits – examples, geometrical and physical interpretation of a derivative – applications, Derivative of a function at a point, Derivatives of sum, product and quotient of functions, derivative of a function with respect of another function, derivative of a composite function and Second order derivatives.

Vector Algebra: Vectors in two and three dimensions, scalar multiplication of vector, scalar product or dot product of two-vectors, Applications-work done by a force and moment of a force, and in geometrical problems, magnitude and direction of a vector, Unit and null vectors, addition of vectors, Vector product and cross product of two vectors.

Integral Calculus and Differential equations: Integration by substitution and by parts, trigonometric, Definition of order and degree of a differential equation, formation of a differential equation by examples, exponential and hyperbolic functions, solution of first order and first degree differential equations of various types – examples, standard integrals involving algebraic expressions, Evaluation of definite integrals – determination of areas of plane regions bounded by curves – applications, General and particular solution of a differential equation, Integration as inverse of differentiation, Application in problems of growth and decay.

Matrices and Determinants: Types of Matrices, Determinant of a matrix, adjoin and inverse of a square matrix, operations on matrices, Applications – Solution of a system of linear equations in two or three unknowns by Cramer’s rule and by Matrix Method, basic properties of determinant.

Analytical Geometry of two and three dimensions: Distance formula, Equation of a circle in standard and in general form, Ellipse and hyperbola, Angle between two lines, Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system, Equation of a line in various forms, Standard forms of parabola, Distance of a point from a line, Eccentricity and axis of a conic.

Point in a three-dimensional space, distance between two points, Equation of a plane and a line in various forms, Equation of a sphere, Direction Cosines and direction ratios, angle between two lines and angle between two planes.

Statistics: Frequency distribution, Classification of data, cumulative frequency distribution – examples Graphical representation – Histogram, Measures of Central tendency – mean, median and mode, Pie Chart, Frequency Polygon – examples, Variance and standard deviation – determination and comparison, Correlation and regression.

Probability: Outcomes and associated sample space, Binomial distribution, Random experiment, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binominal distribution, events, mutually exclusive and exhaustive events, Bayes’ theorem – simple problems, impossible and certain events, Complementary, elementary and composite events, Union and Intersection of events, Definition of probability – classical and statistical – examples, Conditional probability, Random variable as function on a sample space, Elementary theorems on probability – simple problems, Binomial distribution, examples of random experiments giving rise to Binominal distribution.

Syllabus for GAT ( Paper -II)

The GAT syllabus of NDA is divided into two parts. Part A comprises questions from English while Part B carries questions from General Knowledge. Total questions in this section will be 150. Total marks for this section are 600. Each question carries 4 marks while 1.33 marks will be deducted for wrong answer. The question paper in English is designed to test the candidate’s understanding of English. The syllabus covers various aspects such as Grammar and usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion.

Section A – Physics: Motion of objects, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Force and Momentum, Parallelogram of Forces, Stability and Equilibrium of bodies, Gravitation, elementary ideas of work, Velocity and Acceleration, Power and Energy, Sound waves and their properties, Simple musical instruments, Natural and Artificial Magnets, Properties of a Magnet, Earth as a Magnet, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariner’s Compass; Lightening Conductors, Safety Fuses, Simple Pendulum. Simple Pulleys, Physical Properties and States of Matter, Mass, Weight, Volume, Density and Specific Gravity, Principle of Archimedes, Pressure Barometer, Effects of Heat, change of State and Latent Heat, Modes of transference of Heat, Rectilinear propagation of Light, Reflection and refraction. Spherical mirrors and Lenses. Human Eye, Static and Current Electricity, Measurement of temperature and heat, conductors and Non-conductors, Ohm’s Law, Simple Electrical Circuits, Heating, Lighting and Magnetic effects of Current, Measurement of Electrical Power, Primary and Secondary Cells, Use of X-Rays.

Section B – Chemistry: Preparation and Properties of Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon-Di-oxide, Oxidation and Reduction, Material used in the preparation of substances like soap, Glass, Ink, Paper, Cement, Paints, Safety Matches, and Gun-Powder, Carbon – different forms, Physical and Chemical changes. Symbols, Formulas and simple Chemical Equations, Law of Chemical Combination (excluding problems). Properties of Air and Water, Acids, bases and salts, Elements, Mixtures and Compounds, Fertilizers – Natural and Artificial, Elementary ideas about the Structure of Atom, Atomic, Equivalent and Molecular Weights, Valency.

Section C – General Science: Basis of Life – Cells, Protoplasms and Tissues, Constituents of food, Balanced Diet, Achievements of Eminent Scientists, Difference between the living and non-living, Elementary knowledge of human Body and its important organs, Food – Source of Energy for man, Growth and Reproduction in Plants and Animals, Common Epidemics, their causes and prevention, The Solar System – Meteors and Comets, Eclipses.

Section D – History: Freedom Movement in India, Bhoodan, Sarvodaya, National Integration and Welfare State, Basic Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, A broad survey of Indian History, with emphasis on Culture and Civilisation, Elementary knowledge of Five Year Plans of India, Elementary study of Indian Constitution and Administration, Panchayati Raj, 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, Co-operatives and Community Development, Role of India in the present world.

Section E – Geography: Origin of Earth, Weathering – Mechanical and Chemical, Earthquakes and volcanoes, Atmosphere and its composition, Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure, Rocks and their classification, Planetary Winds, cyclones and Anti-cyclones, Humidity, Condensation and Precipitation, Major Natural regions of the World, Important Sea ports and main sea, land and air routes of India. Main items of Imports and Exports of India, Types of Climate, The Earth, its shape and size, Lattitudes and Longitudes, Concept of time, International Date Line, Movements of Earth and their effects, Ocean Currents and Tides, Regional Geography of India – Climate, Natural vegetation. Mineral and Power resources, location and distribution of agricultural and industrial activities.

Section F – Current Events: Current important world events, Knowledge of Important events that have happened in India in the recent years, prominent personalities – both Indian and International including those connected with cultural activities and sports.

Recommended Books

NCERT Books 6 to 12 all the streams.
Mathematics for NDA and NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy by RS Aggarwal
Quantitative aptitude for competitive examinations by RS Aggarwal
History Of Modern India (History) by Bipan Chandra
Science and Technology in India (Science and Technology) by Kalpana Rajaram : Spectrum