NDA Books 2025: Check Subject-wise Best Books for NDA Preparation

To prepare,  it's recommended to study NCERT books for Classes 11 and 12, as well as NCERT materials. The written exam oof NDA comprises two papers-Maths and GAT. The total marks allotted to the NDA written exam are 900. To clear the concept of the topics given in the syllabus, candidates must refer to good NDA books.

The list of NDA books PDF are made available on this page. The best books for NDA preparation 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

NDA exam is conducted offline across various cities spread throughout the country. The exam is conducted in two shifts-morning and afternoon. The Maths paper is held in the morning shift- 10:00 AM-12:30 PM and GAT is held in the afternoon shift from 10:00 AM-12:30 PM. Candidates are required to appear in both the shifts. The total marks allotted to the exam are 900. Candidates need to secure 25 per cent in each paper.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

NDA exam is known to be highly challenging and competitive exam. The exam tests the knowledge and aptitude of candidates in subjects such as Mathematics, General Ability and English . However, with proper preparation and practice, it is possible to crack the exam. It is important to note that success in the NDA exam also depends on factors such as dedication, focus, and time management.

There are many students who have cracked NDA exam with self-study. Replying only to coaching will not help in cracking the exam. Candidates should be consistent with their NDA preparation. The first and foremost step towards preparation should be going through the syllabus and exam pattern. Candidates must also solve previous years' question papers. By solving the previous years' question papers, candidates can know the type of questions asked in the exam.

Quantitative Aptitude for competitive examinations and Mathematics for NDA/NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy by RS Aggarwal are best for NDA Maths. NDA Maths syllabus cover topics such as Algebra Calculus, Matrices and Determinants Integral Calculus and Differential Equations Trigonometry Vector Algebra Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability. He best books for NDA Maths are given below: Quantitative Aptitude for competitive examinations by RS Aggarwal Mathematics for NDA/NA: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy by RS Aggarwal.

Around two to three Lacs candidates apply for NDA exam. The written exam of NDA is cleared by around 8000 to 10,000 candidates. Such candidates are called for SSB interview. The pass percentage in SSB interview is around 10 to 15 per cent. Many students are rejected on medical ground as well. After the medicals, a merit list is prepared which features around 580 to 650 candidates. First 350 to 380 candidates are invited for admission to NDA and INAC. Some candidates do not join and some are not able to cope up with the tough training process. NDA selection process is bit tough therefore it takes about six months preparation to crack the exam.

The tips and tricks to prepare for NDA exam using the question papers are given below:

• After completing the NDA syllabus, candidates must start practising the NDA previous years' question papers. Solving the question papers, candidates can get their basics cleared
• Candidates can use the NDA previous years' question papers in understanding the application of concepts they have learned so far
• Most of the questions in the exam are repeated and require a similar approach to be solved. Keep a note of such questions and tricks to solve them
• Candidates must prepare a timetable for solving the NDA previous years' question papers and solve atleast one/two question papers daily

Candidates can refer to Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis and High School Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin for the English section of NDA. The syllabus for English comprises Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Comprehension and Cohesion. Candidates can prepare the English section by reading newspapers. They should also learn the basic grammar rules. Candidates must do the self-assessment of their preparation level.

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

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 

Cracking SSB Interview is not easy task. The difficulty level is high and candidates must have sound knowledge of their subjects to clear the interview. The best books for SSB Interview are given below: SSB Interview: The Complete Guide by Dr N. K. Natarajan SSB OIR & PPDT: Complete Guide to Stage 1 SSB Interview by DDE.

Candidates can refer to the NCERT books of Classes 11 and 12 for the Physics in NDA exam. NDA Physics syllabus is given below: Physical Properties and States of Matter Modes of transference of Heat Mass, Weight, Volume, Sound Waves and their properties Simple musical instruments Rectilinear propagation of Light Density and Specific Gravity Reflection and refraction Principle of Archimedes Spherical mirrors and Lenses Pressure Barometer Human Eye Motion of objects Natural and Artificial Magnets Velocity and Acceleration Properties of a Magnet Newtons Laws of Motion Earth as a Magnet Force and Momentum Static and Current Electricity Parallelogram of Forces Conductors and Non-conductors Stability and Equilibrium of bodies Ohms Law Gravitation Simple Electrical Circuits Elementary ideas of work Heating, Lighting, and Magnetic effects of Current Power and Energy Measurement of Electrical Power Effects of Heat Primary and Secondary Cells Measurement of Temperature and Heat Use of X-Rays General Principles in the working of Simple Pendulum, Simple Pulleys, Siphon, Levers, Balloon, Pumps, Hydrometer, Pressure Cooker, Thermos Flask, Gramophone, Telegraphs, Telephone, Periscope, Telescope, Microscope, Mariners Compass; Lightning Conductors, Safety Fuses.