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Written Exams Guide

Defence Written Entrance Exams

Crack the written gateway exams. Get official patterns, marking schemes, age guidelines, and complete syllabi for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and CAPF.

UPSC NDA Entrance Exam

Conducted twice a year by UPSC. NDA is the entry point for 12th-pass male and female candidates to join the Army, Navy, or Air Force wings of the defence services.

  • Age Bracket: 16.5 to 19.5 years at course commencement.
  • Educational Limit: 12th Class Pass (Physics & Maths required for Navy & Air Force wings).
  • SSB Selection: Written qualifiers proceed to a 5-day SSB interview testing centers (Army/Navy/Air Force).
Subject Questions Total Marks Duration
Mathematics 120 Qs 300 Marks 2.5 Hours
General Ability Test (GAT) 150 Qs 600 Marks 2.5 Hours
Total Scheme 270 Qs 900 Marks 5.0 Hours

NDA Subject-wise Syllabus

Paper I: Mathematics (11th & 12th level) ▼
  • Algebra & Matrices
  • Trigonometry & Ratios
  • Analytical Geometry (2D/3D)
  • Differential Calculus
  • Integral Calculus & Equs
  • Vector Algebra
  • Probability & Statistics
Paper II: GAT - Part A (English) ▼
  • Grammar & Usage
  • Vocabulary & Synonyms
  • Antonyms & Spotting Errors
  • Comprehension Passages
  • Sentence Arrangement
Paper II: GAT - Part B (General Knowledge) ▼
  • Physics (Laws of Motion, Optics)
  • Chemistry (Acids, Bases, Elements)
  • General Science (Life process)
  • History & Freedom Movement
  • Geography (Earth, Winds, Indian Map)
  • Current National & International Affairs

UPSC CDS Entrance Exam

Combined Defence Services (CDS) is a biannual written test conducted by UPSC for university graduates wishing to enter IMA, INA, AFA, or OTA.

  • Age Bracket: 19-24 years (IMA/INA/AFA), 19-25 years (OTA).
  • Educational Limit: Degree / Graduation (Engineering for Navy, Graduation with Physics/Maths for AFA).
  • SSB Cycles: Written cleared candidates proceed to Services Selection Board boards.
Paper Subject Total Questions Total Marks Duration
English 120 Qs 100 Marks 2.0 Hours
General Knowledge 120 Qs 100 Marks 2.0 Hours
Elementary Mathematics (Excluding OTA) 100 Qs 100 Marks 2.0 Hours
Total IMA/INA/AFA 340 Qs 300 Marks 6.0 Hours
Total OTA Only 240 Qs 200 Marks 4.0 Hours

CDS Subject-wise Syllabus

English Language Syllabus ▼
  • Spotting Errors in Sentences
  • Ordering of Words & Sentences
  • Synonyms & Antonyms
  • Cloze Test & Comprehension
  • Idioms and Phrases
General Knowledge Syllabus ▼
  • Indian Polity & Constitution
  • Indian History & Ancient Empires
  • Physical & Economic Geography
  • General Science (Basic Physics/Bio)
  • Economy & Budget Highlights
  • Defense news & military drills
Elementary Mathematics Syllabus ▼
  • Number System & Decimals
  • Algebra & Equations
  • Trigonometry & Heights
  • Geometry (Lines, Triangles)
  • Mensuration (Areas, Volumes)
  • Basic Statistics & Graphs

IAF AFCAT Online Test

Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) is conducted by the Indian Air Force for entry into the Flying, Technical, and Ground Duty branches.

  • Age Bracket: 20-24 years (Flying), 20-26 years (Technical/Ground Duty).
  • Educational Limit: Minimum 60% in Graduation (Tech branches require B.Tech/B.E).
  • SSB Route: Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) interview (5-Day Process).
Subject Focus Questions Total Marks Duration
General Awareness, Verbal Ability, Numerical Ability, Reasoning & Military Aptitude Test 100 Qs 300 Marks 2 Hours
Total Scheme 100 Qs 300 Marks 2.0 Hours

AFCAT Detailed Syllabus

General Awareness Section ▼
  • History & National Movements
  • Geography & Climate
  • Indian Polity & Parliament
  • Basic Science & Space Projects
  • Defence & Armed Force Deals
  • Sports Cups and Terminology
Verbal & Numerical Ability ▼
  • Comprehension & Error Correction
  • Fill in the blanks & Tenses
  • Decimal Fractions & Averages
  • Percentage & Profit-Loss
  • Ratio-Proportion & Simple Interest
  • Time & Work, Speed-Distance
Reasoning & Military Aptitude ▼
  • Verbal Skills & Analogies
  • Spatial Ability Test
  • Venn Diagrams classification
  • Pattern completion puzzles
  • Embedded figures recognition

UPSC CAPF (Assistant Commandant)

CAPF written test is conducted by UPSC once a year to recruit officers (Assistant Commandants) in central police units: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal).

  • Age Bracket: 20 to 25 years.
  • Educational Limit: Bachelor's Degree in any discipline.
  • Selection Process: Written exam → Physical Standards test (PET) → Personality Test Interview.
Paper Subject Questions / Type Total Marks Duration
Paper I: General Ability & Intelligence (Objective) 125 Qs 250 Marks 2.0 Hours
Paper II: General Studies, Essay & Comprehension (Descriptive) 6 Questions 200 Marks 3.0 Hours
Total Exam -- 450 Marks 5.0 Hours

CAPF AC Syllabus

Paper I: General Ability & Intelligence ▼
  • Mental Ability & Analytical skills
  • General Science (Scientific temper)
  • Current Affairs (Global issues)
  • Indian Polity & Constitution
  • Indian Economy & Planning
  • History & Freedom Struggle
Paper II: Descriptive Studies (Part A & B) ▼
  • Essay Writing (English/Hindi)
  • Comprehension Passages
  • Précis Writing
  • Counter-Arguments formulation
  • Basic Grammar & Editing