The UPSC NDA II Exam refers to the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination II, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in India. This exam is a gateway for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as officers. The exam is held twice a year, and it is one of the most competitive defense entrance exams in the country.

The UPSC NDA II Exam is a prestigious entry point for young individuals aiming for a career in the Indian Armed Forces. Success in this exam requires thorough preparation, a good understanding of the exam pattern, and consistent practice.

• Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens.
• Age Limit: Generally, candidates must be between 16.5 and 19.5 years old. Exact dates are provided in the official notification.
• Educational Qualification:
  • For Army Wing of NDA: Candidates must have passed 12th Class of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
  • For Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at the Indian Naval Academy: Candidates must have passed 12th Class with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics of the 10+2 pattern of School Education or equivalent.

• Written Examination: The exam consists of two papers—Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Both papers are objective type, with Mathematics carrying 300 marks and GAT carrying 600 marks.
• SSB Interview: Candidates who qualify for the written examination are called for an SSB (Services Selection Board) interview, which includes intelligence and personality tests.

• Mathematics: 300 marks, 2.5 hours.
• General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks, 2.5 hours. GAT is further divided into two parts:
  • Part A: English (200 marks)
  • Part B: General Knowledge (400 marks)

Candidates can apply online through the official UPSC website when the notification is released. The application process typically includes registration, filling out the application form, and paying the required fee.

• Notification Release: Usually around June/July for NDA II.
• Application Period: Generally open for about three weeks following the release of the notification.
• Exam Date: Typically conducted in September/October.

• Focus on strengthening your basics in Mathematics, Physics, and English.
• Regularly practice previous years’ question papers and mock tests.
• Keep updated with current affairs for the General Knowledge section.
• Physical fitness is also crucial, as it is part of the selection process.

The syllabus for the National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam is designed to test a candidate's knowledge in various subjects, including Mathematics, English, and General Knowledge. The exam is divided into two papers:

1. Mathematics
2. General Ability Test (GAT)

1. Mathematics Syllabus

The Mathematics paper carries 300 marks and is conducted for 2.5 hours. The syllabus includes topics typically covered in the 11th and 12th-grade curriculum. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Algebra:

• • Set theory, relations, and functions
  • Complex numbers, modulus, and argument, cube roots of unity
  • Quadratic equations and linear inequations
  • Binomial theorem and its applications
  • Logarithms and their applications

Matrices and Determinants:

• • • Types of matrices, operations on matrices
    • Determinants, properties of determinants
    • Inverse of a matrix, applications of matrices to solve a system of linear equations

Trigonometry:

• • • • Angles and their measures, trigonometric ratios
      • Trigonometric identities
      • Trigonometric equations
      • Inverse trigonometric functions
      • Applications of trigonometry

Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions:

• • • • • Rectangular Cartesian Coordinate system
        • Distance formula, equation of a line
        • Angle between two lines
        • Standard forms of the equation of a circle, parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola
        • Equation of a sphere, cone, cylinder

Differential Calculus:

• • • • • • Concept of a real-valued function, domain, range
          • Limits and continuity of functions
          • Differentiation of functions
          • Applications of derivatives

Integral Calculus and Differential Equations:

• • • • • • • Integration as an inverse of differentiation
            • Definite integrals, applications of integration
            • Differential equations, general and particular solutions
            • Formation of differential equations

Vector Algebra:

• • • • • • • • Vectors in two and three dimensions
              • Vector operations, scalar and vector products
              • Applications of vectors

Statistics and Probability:

• • • • • • • • • Statistics: Mean, median, mode, variance, and standard deviation
                  • Probability: Definitions, conditional probability, independent events, Bayes’ theorem

2. General Ability Test (GAT) Syllabus

The GAT paper carries 600 marks and is also conducted for 2.5 hours. The GAT is divided into two parts: English and General Knowledge.

Part A: English (200 Marks)

• Grammar and Usage:
  • Spotting errors
  • Antonyms and synonyms
  • Sentence improvement
  • Vocabulary, idioms, and phrases
• Comprehension:
  • Understanding of a passage
  • The ability to answer questions based on the passage
• Cohesion in Extended Text:
  • Testing the candidate’s comprehension and understanding of English prose
• Sentence Structure:
  • Ordering of words in a sentence
  • Ordering of sentences in a paragraph

Part B: General Knowledge (400 Marks)

This section includes questions from various subjects:

• Physics:
  • Basic concepts: Motion, force, energy, work, power, and laws of motion
  • Sound waves, light, heat, electricity, and magnetism
  • Properties of matter, physical quantities, and measurement
  • Simple machines
• Chemistry:
  • Basic concepts and laws of chemistry
  • Classification of elements, atomic structure
  • Chemical bonding, states of matter, and gas laws
  • Acids, bases, and salts
  • Environmental chemistry
• General Science:
  • Basic knowledge of biology: Life processes, plants and animals, human body, nutrition, and health
  • Food and its constituents, diseases, and prevention
  • Living organisms and their surroundings
• History:
  • Ancient, medieval, and modern history of India
  • Important dates, events, and personalities
  • Indian freedom movement
  • Indian Constitution, political system, and governance
  • World history, including the Industrial Revolution and World Wars
• Geography:
  • Earth’s structure, physical features, and natural resources
  • Climate, ocean currents, and atmospheric phenomena
  • India’s geography: Soil, rivers, mountains, and vegetation
  • Population distribution and economic activities
• Current Affairs:
  • Recent events in India and around the world
  • Important international organizations like the UN, WHO, etc.
  • Sports, awards, and honors
• General Knowledge & Awareness:
  • Basics of Indian polity and governance
  • Social issues and economic development
  • Environmental conservation and biodiversity