Anangsha PatraDeputy Manager – Editorial
Q: Â Which is the best book for NDA Preparation?
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
Upvote 
Q: Â How to prepare for NDA exam after 12th?
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
Upvote Q: Â How much time is required for NDA Exam Preparation?
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
Upvote Q: Â How can I improve my Vocabulary for NDA exam?
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
Upvote 
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 MathematicsÂ
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 |
Q: Â Which are the best books for NDA SSB Interview?
Upvote Q: Â Which books are best for NDA Maths?
Upvote Q: Â Which books are the best for NDA Physics?
Upvote Q: Â Which are the best books for NDA English?
Upvote 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.Â
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 1Â |
Screening Test |
|
| Stage 2 |
Psychological Test |
|
| Group Testing Officers Test |
|
|
| 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 |
Q: Â Is NDA exam tough to crack?
Upvote Q: Â What is NDA exam pattern?
Upvote Q: Â How many times can a candidate appear for the NDA exam, and what is the minimum qualifying marks required to pass?
NDA exam is conducted twice a year by UPSC. Candidates can appear for both the sessions of NDA exam. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in January. NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to the courses commencing in July. To qualify each section of the NDA exam, candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each subject. NDA exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Fotce wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy.
Upvote Q: Â Is NDA exam conducted online or offline?
Upvote 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. |
Q: Â What level of math questions are asked in NDA?
The Paper 1 of NDA Maths section carries 300 marks. The exam comprises of 120 questions in maths from Class 12 level. For each correct answer, candidate get 2.5 marks. Additionally, 0.83 mark is deducted for wrong response. Questions in Maths are asked from Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.
Upvote Q: Â What is NDA syllabus?
NDA syllabus is prescribed by the examination authority so that candidates can know what they need to prepare for the exam. The standard of NDA syllabus is of Class 10, 11 and 12 levels. NDA syllabus is divided into two parts-Maths and GAT. NDA Maths syllabus carries questions from Algebra Calculus, Matrices and Determinants Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Trigonometry Vector Algebra Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.. NDA GAT syllabus carries questions from topics such as Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Cohesion. Questions in General Knowledge are asked from Physics Chemistry Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.
Upvote Q: Â Is the NDA entrance exam syllabus the same as Class 12?
Yes, the NDA syllabus is the same as class 12. To crack the NDA exam, candidates must have conceptual clarity for better application while handling tricky and simple questions. Candidates must practice previous years' question papers. For Maths candidates must practice from NCERT Class 11 books. Jot down important Mathematical formulas and concepts. For English, candidates must brush up on the concepts of English. Candidates must clear their basic grammar, improve reading comprehension, and build vocabulary to tackle Antonyms and Synonyms.
Upvote Q: Â What is the standard of questions in the NDA exam?
Upvote 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
Q: Â How many hours should be given to study for NDA?
Upvote Q: Â How much time is required for NDA Exam Preparation?
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
Upvote Q: Â Can I crack NDA through self-study?
Upvote Q: Â How can I prepare for NDA exam?
Every year thousands of candidates appear for NDA exam. With so much competition, candidates need to have a proper preparation strategy for the exam. Candidates need to be consistent with their study plans. They should devote few hours every day to study. Candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus. Candidates must revise their notes and important formulae every day. Candidates must practise mock tests and previous years' question papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and syllabus. Candidates must clear their basic concepts of each and every topic given in the syllabus. This will help candidates to solve the questions easily in the exam.
Upvote 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 managementÂ
- Candidates can improve their speed and accuracy of solving questions
Read More:
Q: Â What questions are asked in an NDA SSB interview?
Upvote Q: Â How are NDA question papers useful?
Upvote Q: Â When NDA question papers are released?
NDA question papers are released by UPSC within two to three days after the question papers are released. NDA 2 question paper is available now. NDA question papers are made available on the official website of UPSC in PDF. Candidates can download NDA question papers for different subjects-Maths and GAT. Practising the question papers, candidates can know the type of questions asked in the exam.
Upvote Q: Â How many questions are asked in NDA exam?
Upvote NDA Books 2025 FAQs
Candidates can check below NDA books 2025 FAQs.
Q: Â Is NDA exam tough to crack?
Upvote Q: Â How many students apply for NDA exam and qualify it?
Upvote Sarkari Exams exams you must check out
Exams for which answer key has been released
11 Dec '24 - 16 Dec '24
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NDA Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
As per the official notification for NDA 1 2025, the age limit is as follows:
- Date of Birth: Candidates must be born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
Currently, there is no indication of any changes to this age limit. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has not announced any modificati
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
The application fee for the NDA 2025 exam is as follows:
- General/OBC Candidates: ?100
- SC/ST Candidates/Sons of JCOs/NCOs/ORs/Women: Exempt from fee payment
The application process for NDA 1 2025 has concluded, with the last date for submission being December 31, 2024. The examination is scheduled for
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
Hi Ayush,
For NDA 2025, the age eligibility criteria are as follows:
NDA 1 2025: Candidates must be born between July 2, 2006, and July 1, 2009.
NDA 2 2025: Candidates must be born between January 2, 2007, and January 1, 2010.
Since your birthdate is February 24, 2006, you are eligible to apply f
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered Yesterday
Hi Chandankumar,
NDA 2 refers to the second session of the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam held each year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The exam is conducted in two sessions:
- NDA 1 (usually in April)
- NDA 2 (usually in September)
Both exams serve as a gateway for candidates to join
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 days ago
NDA Application Form 2025
Last Date to Apply: December 31, 2024.
Exam Date: April 13, 2025.
Application Fee: INR 100 (exemptions apply).
Apply at: upsc.gov.in Â
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
NDA 1 application form 2025 correction window will be available from January 1 to 7, 2025. The Commission has also decided to extend the facility of making correction in any field of the application form for this examination from next day of the closure of the application window of this Examination
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
YES, Humanities student can definately clear the NDA exam. If one wants to clear NDA in first attempt being a humanities student then they had to work really hard as competitors are mainly from Science stream. One must purchase the recommended books of those students who had already passed the NDA
I
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
UPSC has no provision to refund any fee amount paid by candidates. Banks concerned may be approached for claiming any extra/unsuccessful payments made by the candidates.
M
Beginner-Level 4
Answered a week ago
UPSC has no provision to refund any fee amount paid by candidates. Banks concerned may be approached for claiming any extra/unsuccessful payments made by the candidates.
R
Beginner-Level 4
Can the UPSC is not make a change in age limit of NDA 1 2025 examination