Updated: August 2026 — Notification & exam dates confirmed via the official UPSC Calendar 2027. Vacancies, fee and age bands are expected until the notification PDF is released.
Quick Answer
The NDA 1 2027 written exam has two objective papers — Mathematics (300 marks, 120 questions) and the General Ability Test (600 marks, 150 questions) — totalling 900 marks in 5 hours, followed by the SSB Interview (900 marks). Maths has −0.83 negative marking and GAT −1.33 per wrong answer. The grand total is 1800 marks.
Understanding the NDA 1 2027 exam pattern and syllabus is what turns study hours into marks. This guide details the paper split, marking scheme and subject-wise syllabus. For the timeline see the NDA 1 2027 notification, and to target a score read the cut off analysis.
NDA 1 2027 Exam Pattern
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 hours |
| General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2.5 hours |
| Written Total | 270 | 900 | 5 hours |
| SSB Interview | — | 900 | 5 days |
Marking: In Maths, +2.5 per correct answer and −0.83 per wrong answer. In GAT, +4 per correct answer and −1.33 per wrong answer. There is no penalty for unattempted questions, so disciplined attempting matters.
GAT Structure
The General Ability Test has two parts: Part A — English (200 marks) and Part B — General Knowledge (400 marks). GK covers Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Events. See the full topic list in the evergreen NDA syllabus guide.
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Explore NDA CoachingTalk to a MentorNDA 1 2027 Syllabus (Subject-wise)
Mathematics: Algebra, Matrices & Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry (2D & 3D), Differential Calculus, Integral Calculus & Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Statistics & Probability.
English (GAT Part A): Grammar & usage, vocabulary, comprehension and cohesion — spotting errors, sentence improvement, synonyms/antonyms.
General Knowledge (GAT Part B): Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History & Freedom Movement, Geography, and Current Events.
Build your plan around these weights, benchmark against the NDA 1 2027 cut off, and follow the 1-year study plan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NDA 1 2027 exam pattern?
Two objective papers — Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks) — totalling 900 marks in 5 hours, followed by the 900-mark SSB Interview, for a grand total of 1800 marks.
Is there negative marking in NDA 1 2027?
Yes. In Maths, 0.83 marks are deducted per wrong answer; in GAT, 1.33 marks are deducted. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
How many questions are there in the NDA exam?
Mathematics has 120 questions and the General Ability Test has 150 questions, for 270 objective questions in total.
What is the marking scheme for NDA Maths and GAT?
Maths: +2.5 correct, −0.83 wrong. GAT: +4 correct, −1.33 wrong.
What subjects are in the NDA General Ability Test?
GAT Part A is English (200 marks) and Part B is General Knowledge (400 marks) covering Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and Current Events.
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