
National Career & Skill Aptitude Assessment
Complete syllabus & examination structure for the 2026 selection cycle.
Examination Overview
| Exam Name | National Career & Skill Aptitude Assessment |
| Short Name | NCSAA |
| Question Type | Objective MCQ |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 90 Minutes |
| Language | Bilingual — Hindi & English |
| Mode | OMR / CBT (Hybrid) |
| Negative Marking | No Negative Marking |
8th Pass — Foundation level assessment
For Class 8 graduates entering vocational, residential, or scholarship pathways.
Subjects & Marks Distribution
| # | Subject | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Awareness & Bharat Knowledge | 25 | 25% |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude (Basic Math) | 25 | 25% |
| 3 | Reasoning & Logical Ability | 20 | 20% |
| 4 | Language Comprehension (Hindi / English) | 20 | 20% |
| 5 | Career Awareness & Life Skills | 10 | 10% |
| Total | 100 | 100% |
Detailed Syllabus
- • Indian States & Capitals
- • National Symbols & Constitution Basics
- • Indian Festivals & Culture
- • Current Affairs (Last 6 months)
- • Geography & Rivers of India
- • Famous Personalities of India
- • Number System & Place Value
- • Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
- • Simple Interest & Profit/Loss
- • Ratio & Proportion
- • Basic Geometry & Mensuration
- • Time, Distance & Work
- • Series Completion (Number & Letter)
- • Coding–Decoding
- • Direction Sense Test
- • Odd-One-Out
- • Blood Relations
- • Simple Analogies
- • Reading Comprehension (Short Passages)
- • Synonyms & Antonyms
- • Sentence Correction
- • Fill in the Blanks
- • Vocabulary & Idioms
- • Para-Jumbles
- • Self-Awareness & Discipline
- • Workplace Etiquette Basics
- • Time & Money Management
- • Health, Hygiene & Safety
- • Digital Literacy Awareness
Preparation Guidance
- ✓ Revise NCERT Class 6–8 Mathematics & Hindi/English textbooks thoroughly.
- ✓ Solve at least one mock paper per week and review every incorrect answer.
- ✓ Read a newspaper or news app daily for current affairs awareness.
- ✓ Practise reasoning puzzles for 20 minutes daily to build speed and accuracy.
- ✓ Maintain a vocabulary diary — 5 new words a day in Hindi and English.
10th Pass — Intermediate level assessment
For Class 10 graduates entering residential education, scholarship, or vocational tracks.
Subjects & Marks Distribution
| # | Subject | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Awareness & Bharat Knowledge | 20 | 20% |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25% |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning | 20 | 20% |
| 4 | Language Skills (Hindi / English) | 20 | 20% |
| 5 | Science & Daily Application | 10 | 10% |
| 6 | Career & Workplace Readiness | 5 | 5% |
| Total | 100 | 100% |
Detailed Syllabus
- • Indian History (Modern India Highlights)
- • Polity & Indian Constitution Basics
- • Geography of India
- • Indian Economy Basics
- • Current Affairs (Last 12 months)
- • Sports, Awards & Honours
- • Percentage, Profit & Loss
- • Simple & Compound Interest
- • Time, Speed & Distance
- • Time & Work
- • Algebraic Expressions
- • Mensuration (2D & 3D)
- • Averages & Ages
- • Syllogisms & Statements
- • Coding–Decoding (Advanced)
- • Series, Analogy & Classification
- • Blood Relations & Direction Sense
- • Seating Arrangement (Linear)
- • Data Sufficiency (Basic)
- • Reading Comprehension
- • Grammar — Tense, Voice, Speech
- • Sentence Improvement & Error Spotting
- • Synonyms, Antonyms & One-word Substitution
- • Vocabulary, Idioms & Phrases
- • Cloze Test
- • Physics in Daily Life
- • Common Chemistry Concepts
- • Human Body & Health
- • Environment & Sustainability
- • Basic Computer Awareness
- • Career Choices & Goal Setting
- • Workplace Communication
- • Teamwork & Discipline
- • Digital Literacy & Internet Safety
Preparation Guidance
- ✓ Refer to NCERT Class 9–10 textbooks for Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.
- ✓ Attempt 2 timed mock tests per week — analyse weak topics and revise focused chapters.
- ✓ Read editorials of a national daily 3–4 times a week for language and current affairs.
- ✓ Build a 30-day reasoning practice plan covering one topic per day.
- ✓ Use bilingual question banks so you are comfortable in both Hindi and English.
12th Pass — Higher secondary level assessment
For Class 12 graduates entering Career Connect & Placement, Sports Excellence, Fashion Enterprise, or residential pathways.
Subjects & Marks Distribution
| # | Subject | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Awareness & Current Affairs | 20 | 20% |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20% |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning & Analytical Ability | 20 | 20% |
| 4 | English & Hindi Comprehension | 15 | 15% |
| 5 | Computer Literacy & Digital Awareness | 10 | 10% |
| 6 | Career, Industry & Soft Skills | 15 | 15% |
| Total | 100 | 100% |
Detailed Syllabus
- • Indian Polity & Constitution
- • Modern Indian History
- • Geography (India & World)
- • Economy & Banking Basics
- • Static GK — Awards, Books, Sports
- • Current Affairs (Last 12 months)
- • Number Systems & Simplification
- • Profit, Loss & Discount
- • SI / CI & Mixtures
- • Time, Work & Distance
- • Data Interpretation (Tables & Charts)
- • Mensuration & Geometry
- • Syllogisms
- • Puzzles & Seating Arrangement
- • Coding–Decoding
- • Statement & Conclusion
- • Direction & Blood Relations
- • Data Sufficiency
- • Reading Comprehension (Long Passages)
- • Para-Jumbles & Cloze Test
- • Vocabulary & Usage
- • Grammar & Error Detection
- • Hindi Vyakaran (Sandhi, Samas, Karak)
- • Translation Awareness
- • MS Office Basics
- • Internet, Email & Cyber Safety
- • Operating Systems Awareness
- • Common Shortcuts & File Handling
- • Digital India & e-Governance
- • Workplace Communication & Etiquette
- • Resume & Interview Awareness
- • Teamwork, Leadership & Conflict
- • Indian Industry Overview
- • Goal Setting & Time Management
Preparation Guidance
- ✓ Practise sectional tests with timer to learn pacing across 5–6 sections.
- ✓ Cover at least 200 reasoning + 200 quant questions per week.
- ✓ Maintain a current-affairs notebook — daily 10 bullet points.
- ✓ Brush up Class 11–12 Math NCERT exercises (selected chapters).
- ✓ Practise computer literacy quizzes online; ensure familiarity with MS-Office screens.
ITI / Diploma — Skill & trade-oriented assessment
For ITI / Diploma graduates entering Career Connect & Placement or Fashion Enterprise tracks — emphasises trade aptitude and workplace readiness.
Subjects & Marks Distribution
| # | Subject | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technical Aptitude (Trade-Neutral) | 25 | 25% |
| 2 | Quantitative & Numerical Ability | 20 | 20% |
| 3 | Logical Reasoning | 15 | 15% |
| 4 | Language & Communication (Hindi / English) | 15 | 15% |
| 5 | General Awareness & Industry Overview | 10 | 10% |
| 6 | Workplace Readiness & Soft Skills | 15 | 15% |
| Total | 100 | 100% |
Detailed Syllabus
- • Engineering Drawing Awareness
- • Tools, Instruments & Safety
- • Basic Electrical & Mechanical Principles
- • Workshop Calculations
- • Materials & Properties (Overview)
- • Arithmetic & Percentages
- • Ratio, Proportion & Averages
- • Mensuration
- • Profit, Loss & Discount
- • Data Interpretation
- • Series & Analogy
- • Coding–Decoding
- • Direction & Blood Relations
- • Visual & Pattern Reasoning
- • Reading Comprehension
- • Grammar Essentials
- • Vocabulary & Synonyms/Antonyms
- • Sentence Correction
- • Indian Economy & Manufacturing
- • Skill India Mission Awareness
- • MSME & Self-Employment
- • Current Affairs Basics
- • Workplace Safety (5S, PPE)
- • Communication & Teamwork
- • Resume & Interview Skills
- • Customer Interaction Basics
- • Discipline & Time Management
Preparation Guidance
- ✓ Revisit your trade theory notes — focus on universally tested concepts.
- ✓ Practise workshop calculations & mensuration daily.
- ✓ Take 1 trade-aptitude mock + 1 general aptitude mock every week.
- ✓ Watch short videos on workplace safety & 5S methodology.
- ✓ Prepare a one-page resume and rehearse 60-second self-introduction in Hindi & English.
Graduate — Graduate level assessment
For Bachelor’s degree holders entering Career Connect & Placement or Fashion Enterprise tracks — emphasises analytical reasoning, language, and professional aptitude.
Subjects & Marks Distribution
| # | Subject | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quantitative Aptitude | 20 | 20% |
| 2 | Logical & Analytical Reasoning | 20 | 20% |
| 3 | English Language & Comprehension | 15 | 15% |
| 4 | General Awareness, Polity & Economy | 15 | 15% |
| 5 | Computer & Digital Literacy | 10 | 10% |
| 6 | Professional Readiness & Career Awareness | 20 | 20% |
| Total | 100 | 100% |
Detailed Syllabus
- • Arithmetic & Algebra
- • Data Interpretation (Advanced)
- • Time, Work & Distance
- • Probability Basics
- • Mensuration & Geometry
- • Puzzles & Arrangements
- • Statement–Argument / Assumption
- • Critical Reasoning
- • Syllogisms
- • Data Sufficiency
- • Reading Comprehension (Editorial-Level)
- • Para-Jumbles & Para-Completion
- • Error Detection & Sentence Improvement
- • Vocabulary in Context
- • Cloze Test
- • Indian Polity & Governance
- • Indian & World Economy
- • Banking & Financial Awareness
- • Schemes & Initiatives of GoI
- • Current Affairs (Last 12 months)
- • MS Office (Advanced)
- • Internet, Email, Cyber Safety
- • Database & Cloud Awareness
- • AI / Emerging Tech Awareness
- • Resume, LinkedIn & Interview Skills
- • Workplace Communication & Email Etiquette
- • Indian Industry Sectors & Roles
- • Goal Setting, Productivity & Ethics
- • Entrepreneurship Awareness
Preparation Guidance
- ✓ Solve a full-length mock test every weekend; sectional tests on weekdays.
- ✓ Build a 100-question weekly DI + RC practice habit.
- ✓ Read at least 2 long-form articles daily for comprehension stamina.
- ✓ Maintain a vocabulary–phrase bank of 500 high-frequency words.
- ✓ Mock-rehearse interviews in both Hindi and English with a peer.
Postgraduate — Postgraduate level assessment
For Master’s degree holders entering Career Connect & Placement, leadership pathways, or specialised Fashion Enterprise roles — emphasises critical thinking and leadership readiness.
Subjects & Marks Distribution
| # | Subject | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Quantitative & Data Analysis | 15 | 15% |
| 2 | Critical Reasoning & Analytical Ability | 20 | 20% |
| 3 | Verbal Ability & Comprehension | 15 | 15% |
| 4 | Indian Economy, Polity & Society | 15 | 15% |
| 5 | Industry, Management & Leadership | 20 | 20% |
| 6 | Digital, AI & Future-of-Work Awareness | 15 | 15% |
| Total | 100 | 100% |
Detailed Syllabus
- • DI — Tables, Charts & Caselets
- • Statistics & Probability Basics
- • Algebra & Functions
- • Business Math & Interpretation
- • Critical Reasoning (Strengthen / Weaken)
- • Assumption & Inference
- • Complex Puzzles
- • Logical Consistency
- • Data Sufficiency
- • RC (Multi-Paragraph)
- • Para-Jumbles & Para-Completion
- • Vocabulary in Context
- • Sentence Equivalence
- • Editorial Analysis
- • Constitutional Framework
- • Macroeconomic Indicators
- • Policy & Governance
- • Social Issues & Welfare Schemes
- • International Relations (India-centric)
- • HR / OB Fundamentals
- • Strategy & Decision-Making Basics
- • Industry Sectors & Trends
- • CSR & Sustainability
- • Entrepreneurship & MSME Awareness
- • Emerging Tech (AI, ML, Cloud)
- • Digital Transformation Concepts
- • Cyber Safety & Ethics
- • Data Privacy & Governance
- • Tools for Productivity
Preparation Guidance
- ✓ Anchor revision around case-style DI and critical-reasoning sets — minimum 30 questions a day.
- ✓ Read 3 long-form pieces (business / policy / tech) every day.
- ✓ Maintain a weekly "Industry Watch" note — 5 trends + 5 leaders.
- ✓ Practise 2 group-discussion topics every week with structured argumentation.
- ✓ Build a portfolio document showcasing your dissertation / projects for the interview round.