NDA Books 2024: Check Subject-wise Best Books for NDA Preparation

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2025 ( NDA )

DeskCalelnderExam On - 13 Apr '25

Anangsha Patra
Updated on Jan 14, 2025 14:42 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

NDA Books 2025: Are you preparing for NDA 2025 exam? If yes, refer to good NDA books that have covered the syllabus. To prepare for NDA 2025 exam, it is important to refer to good books that can clear your concepts. Clearing concepts is very important as it will help in solving the difficult to difficult questions in the exam. Many NDA books are available in the market but you should choose those that have covered all the important topics. It is not possible to crack the exam without good level of NDA preparation. Follow the right strategy and plan and success will be yours. As they say, hard work is the key to success. In this article we have provided NDA books that are recommended by experts. 

Q:   Which is the best book for NDA Preparation?

A: 

NDA is a competitive exam therefore to crack it candidates need to choose the right type of books. NDA books help candidates to ace the exam easily and clear the concepts of each and every topic given in the syllabus. To pass the exam, it is essential to select the right set of NDA books. The standard of the NDA syllabus is for Class 10, 11, and 12 levels. The best books for NDA exam are given below:

Best Maths Books for NDA

  • Mathematics for NDA and NA by RS Aggarwal
  • Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by RS Aggarwal

Best English Books for NDA

  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren & Martin
  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi

Best NDA Books for Physics

  • Objective Physics for the NDA and NA by D.C. Pandey
  • Concepts of Physics (Part 1 & Part 2) by H.C. Verma

Best NDA Books for History

  • History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
  • India's Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra

Best NDA Books for Current Affairs

  • Manorama Yearbook by Mammen Mathew
  • Pratiyogita Darpan by Upkar Prakashan
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Q:   How to prepare for NDA exam after 12th?

A: 

NDA syllabus mostly comprises the topics/subjects that candidates have studied in Class 12. The preparation for Class 12 and NDA can go hand-in-hand. Some of the preparation tips or NDA exam after 12th are given below:

  • Candidates must go through the complete subject-wise syllabus
  • Create a proper study plan and dedicate time for each subject
  • Be consistent with the study plan Refer to good NDA books
  • Candidates must review the fundamentals of each subject. They should consult the books from Classes 6 to 12
  • Candidates must read the newspaper daily to enhance their English. Additionally, candidates must practice grammar and learn new words
  • Candidates must practice the previous years' question papers to get an idea about the exam structure
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Q:   How much time is required for NDA Exam Preparation?

A: 

The ideal time required for NDA preparation is one year to six months. During the preparation phase, candidates must focus on all subjects and topics relevant to the exam. Candidates must consider solving the NDA question papers. They should also attempt mock tests to increase speed and accuracy. Candidates must be thorough with the exam pattern and syllabus. The tips and tricks to prepare for NDA exam are given below:

  • To begin with the preparation, candidates need to understand the syllabus and exam pattern
  • Candidates can clear their basic concepts of the topics from the Class 10, 11 and 12 books
  • To improve speed and accuracy, candidates can attempt mock tests
  • After completing the syllabus, candidates must practice previous years' question papers to know the types of questions asked in the exam
  • Candidates must work on improving their weak areas
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Q:   How can I improve my Vocabulary for NDA exam?

A: 

The tips and tricks to improve vocabularly for NDA exam are given below:

  • To enhance your NDA vocabulary for the exam, start by reading
  • Candidates must make a note of the topics they have learned during the exam preparation
  • Candidates must learn the orgin of the words
  • Candidates must practive questions based on the syllabus 
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NDA Books 2025

NDA exam consists of questions that are of Class 12 standard. If one goes through the NCERT books thoroughly and understand all the concepts mentioned in the books, they will not need any other reference book to clear the exam. In General Knowledge, candidates must read History of Modern India and Science and Technology in India. For English, candidates can read Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis and High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin for the English section of NDA. Listed below are the section-wise books for NDA preparation:

NDA Books for English

This section of NDA exam assesses a candidate's understanding of grammar and vocabulary. Here are the books that the students can refer to:

  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi
  • Wren & Martin High School English Grammar and Composition
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman & Lewis

NDA Books for Physics

Questions in this section are generally asked from Classes 11 and 12. Usually, candidates will get questions related to electricity and mechanics. Candidates can refer to the NCERT books of Classes 11 and 12 and NCERT.

Best NDA Books for Chemistry

The chemistry section comprises questions that candidates have studied in Classes 11 and 12. Questions are basically from Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon-Di-Oxide, Acid, Bases, Oxidation and Reduction, Atoms, Valence, etc. For this section too, candidates can refer to NCERT books of Classes 11 and 12.

NDA Books for General Science, History, Geography

The General Science, History, and Geography section consists of topics that are related to Classes 9 and 10 Biology. Candidates can refer to Objective GK by Sanjiv Kumar.

NDA Books for Current Affairs

In NDA, Current Affairs are usually asked for the past six months. For this section, candidates can refer to Pratoyogita Darpan, Manorama Yearbook etc.

NDA Books for Mathematics 

The Maths paper cover topics such as Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Algebra, Vector Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Analytical Geometry, Statistics & Probability. The level of questions is very basic and simple. Candidates can refer to the NCERT books of Classes 11 and 12. Besides, they can refer to the following books.

Book Name Author/Publisher

Quantitative Aptitude for competitive examinations

RS Aggarwal

NDA Entrance Exam

ES Ramasamy

Mathematics for NDA/NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy

RS Aggarwal

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NDA Exam Pattern

It is important to go through the exam pattern before beginning with the preparation. The exam pattern helps candidates to understand the overall structure of the exam. According to NDA exam pattern, the written exam comprises two papers, Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The total marks of the written exam are 900. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB Interview for Psychological Aptitude and Intelligence. The SSB Interview carries 900 marks. 

NDA Exam Pattern for Written Exam

The structure of NDA exam written exam is given below.

Papers Subject Maximum marks Duration

Paper 1

Mathematics

300

2 ½

Paper 2

GAT

600

2 ½

Total

900

5 hours

NDA Exam Pattern for SSB Interview

The SSB Interview is conducted in two stages. The Stage 1 of SSB interview comprises Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&DT). Stage 2 comprises Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and the Conference. The structure of the SSB Interview is given below.

Stages Tests

Stage 1 

Screening Test

  • Verbal and non-verbal tests.
  • PPDT

Stage 2

Psychological Test

  • Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
  • Word Association Test (WAT)
  • Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
  • Self Description Test (SD)

Group Testing Officers Test

  • GD
  • GPE
  • PGT
  • HGT
  • IOT
  • Command Task
  • Snake race/Group Obstacle Race
  • Individual lecture
  • FGT

Personal Interview

-

Conference

-

NDA Marking Scheme

The marking scheme of NDA exam is given below.

Subject NDA Negative Marking
GAT -1.33
Maths -0.83
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NDA Syllabus

NDA syllabus outlines the topics and sub-topics that candidates need to cover for the exam. The standard of the NDA syllabus is of class 11 and 12 levels. NDA syllabus is given below:

Mathematics

Algebra

Matrices and Determinants

Trigonometry

Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions 

Differential Calculus

Integral Calculus and Differential Equations

Vector Algebra

Statistics and Probability

GAT

English 

Spotting Errors, Comprehension, Selecting Words, Ordering of Words in a Sentence, Sentence Improvement, Antonyms, Synonyms

General Knowledge

Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History & Freedom Movement, Geography, Current Events, etc.

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NDA Preparation Tips 2025

The tips and tricks to crack NDA preparation tips are given below:

  • Go through the exam pattern and syllabus
  • Solve and practice previous years' question papers to improve speed and accuracy
  • Candidates must attempt mock test
  • Candidates must clear their concepts of different topics by referring to good books
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NDA Question Papers

NDA question papers are released by UPSC separately for Maths and GAT. NDA previous year question papers help candidates to know the type of questions asked in the exam. Practising the question papers helps candidates to increase their speed of solving questions. It also enhances the time management skills of candidates. They should learn to solve questions accurately in the exam. Candidates can also challenge the NDA question papers through the question paper representation portal. The benefits of solving NDA question papers are given below:

  • Candidates can know the types of questions asked in the exam
  • Helps candidates in effective time management 
  • Candidates can improve their speed and accuracy of solving questions

Read More:

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NDA Books 2025 FAQs

Candidates can check below NDA books 2025 FAQs.

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