UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
UPSC NDA Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for UPSC National Defence Academy
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Offline (OMR)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
-0.83
Sections
2
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 135 | +2.5 | 337.5 | 75 min |
| General Ability Test (English + GK + Science) | 135 | +2.5 | 337.5 | 75 min |
| Total | 270 | — | 900 | 150 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+2.5
marks
Wrong Answer
-0.83
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
+2.5 for correct, -0.83 for incorrect
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 162 questions, get 122 correct and 40 wrong:
Score = 122 × 2.5 − 40 × 0.83 = 271.8 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 33.3 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 90 min | 189 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 45 min | 54 Qs |
| Review & guess | 15 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 270 | 150 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 270 | 150 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 270 | 150 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~54 Easy | ~108 Medium | ~108 Hard
Based on difficulty level: hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Practice UPSC NDA?
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