NDA 2026 Preparation Tips, How to Prepare for NDA Entrance Exam

Updated on Oct 5, 2026 11:04 IST

By Shikha Goyal, Assistant Manager

NDA 2027: Preparation for NDA exam is crucial. Candidates should make a proper strategy to crack NDA 2 exam. They should also go through the syllabus and exam pattern properly before giving exam. Syllabus helps to understand the topics asked in the exam and pattern provides the structure of an exam, marking scheme, etc. It is also recommended to solve the previous year question papers. Practice mock test to understand the actual test and to improve the speed and accuracy of solving questions.

The total marks allotted to NDA exam are 900. The standard of NDA syllabus is of high school level. Candidates need conceptual clarity to solve the questions. Scroll down to know some of the useful tips for NDA preparation 2026.

Also Read: NDA Topper Success Story

Table of contents

NDA Preparation Overview
NDA Exam Section-Wise Preparation Strategy 2026
Best Books for NDA Exam Preparation 2026
NDA Syllabus
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
NDA Preparation Tips 2026 FAQs

NDA Preparation Overview

NDA exam is a prominent examination among students who want to join Indian Defence Forces. NDA is the gateway for candidates who wish to join the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. It is not easy to get through NDA and SSB. Making a smart study plan is effective for a better preparation strategy. First, candidates should clear their basic concepts. They should not forget to practice NDA last year question papers. Revise topics given in syllabus as much as you can.

Also Read:

NDA Exam Pattern

NDA Syllabus

Commonly asked questions

Q: Is NDA exam conducted every year?

NDA exam is conducted every year twice in a year. The exam is conducted to select candidates for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy courses. The selection process comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The SSB interview carries 900 marks.

Q: What is the difference between NDA 1 and 2 exams?

There is no difference between UPSC NDA 1 and 2 exams. NDA 1 exam is conducted for admission to the January batch. Whereas, NDA 2 exam is conducted for admission to July batch.

National Defence Academy or NDA exam is conducted twice a year by Union Public Service Commission for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force wings of NDA and Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). It is the most sought-after defence entrance exams in the country where both male and female candidates can apply.

The exam is conducted in two stages: written exam and SSB Interview. In 2020, a total of 5.3 Lacs candidates had applied for the exam, out of which 2.4 Lacs candidates appeared for the exam. UPSC prepares a list of candidates who obtain minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Such candidates are called for SSB Interview for Intelligence and Personality Test.

Also Read: Know the difference between NDA & NA I and II Exams

NDA Exam Section-Wise Preparation Strategy 2026

NDA exam consists of two written papers: Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test or GAT (600 marks). Multiple choice questions are asked in examination. Standard of National Defence Academy exam syllabus is of Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 standards. Candidates can check section-wise preparation strategy below:

Mathematics: Revise trigonometry, algebra. Also, practice NCERT and clear concepts. Cover core subjects also including geometry and calculus. It is also important to focus on matrices, vector algebra, probability and statistics. Revise formula sheet and theorems frequently. Solve previous year question papers. Take mock tests. Use shortcuts and tricks, etc.

English:

Read Newspapers and Magazines
Read NDS English books
Practice grammar, usage, etc. on regular basis
Learn new words, synonyms, antonyms, etc.
Solve mock tests and sample papers atleast one daily.

General Knowledge:

For current affairs, read newspapers and magazines on regular basis.
Follow some channels and online portals for latest updates.
Solve past ten years papers
Go through the core areas of the subjects
Cover all the subjects like History, Geography, Polity, etc.

Best Books for NDA Exam Preparation 2026

Books plays a crucial role in the preparation. Books consists of the chapters and concepts covered in the syllabus. It not only helps in clearing the concepts but also provide ample of practice in form of practice sets for the NDA exam. Candidates should choose correct NDA books that covers whole of the syllabus.

NDA Books for English

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 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

Also Read:

NDA Vacancies

View list of Books

NDA Syllabus

NDA syllabus is prescribed by UPSC. The standard of the syllabus is of Class 9, 10, 11 and 12 levels. The Syllabus is divided in to two parts namely Mathematics (300 marks) and General Ability Test (600 marks). Candidates should be well versed with the class 9, 10, 11 and 12 standard syllabus and study all the topics wisely. After clearing the written exam, candidates need to take the SSB interview. The duration of the exam is 2.5 hours.

Candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus. Given below is the syllabus for NDA.

NDA Math Syllabus consists of topics that candidates had studied in their high school like Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability, Algebra, etc.
NDA English syllabus consists Vocabulary, Comprehension, Cohesion, Preposition, etc.
NDA General Knowledge syllabus carries topics such as Physics, Chemistry, Social Studies, General Science, Geography, and Current Events.

Commonly asked questions

Q: Are NDA and CDS syllabus same?

NDA exam is conducted for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy and Indian Naval Academy Course. CDS exam is conducted to select eligible candidates for Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA).

The level of NDA syllabus is of Class 10, 11 and 12 levels. Whereas the standard of CDS syllabus is of graduation level. NDA syllabus is divided into Maths and GAT. CDS syllabus is divided into Elementary Maths, English and General Awareness. The total marks allotted to the NDA written exam are 900. The total marks allotted to the written exam of CDS are 300 for IMA, INA and AFA and 200 for OTA.

Q: What is the purpose of the NDA syllabus?

NDA syllabus is prescribed by the examination authority. The syllabus comprises the topics that candidates need to prepare for the exam. The first and foremost step towards preparation is going through the syllabus. Knowing the syllabus helps candidates to plan a strategy to ace the exam, thereby, giving them the right direction for preparation. NDA syllabus has two sections for the written exam, General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics. GAT aims to test the candidate's basic knowledge of History, GK, Current Affairs of National and International Events, English, Science, and Geography. On the other hand, the Mathematics paper of NDA comprises questions based on Class 12. The GAT paper holds the maximum weightage in the syllabus.

Q: Where can I find NDA syllabus PDF?

NDA syllabus PDF is divided into Maths and GAT. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. The standard of the syllabus is of Classes 10, 11 and 12 levels. Candidates should be thorough with the syllabus.

NDA Exam Pattern 2026

NDA exam pattern is divided into written exam and SSB Interview. The exam pattern helps candidates to understand the overall structure of an exam. It highlights marking scheme, total marks, duration of an exam, shift timings, etc. The mode of an exam is offline. It helps to know the structure of the paper. Candidates who will clear the written exam will be called for the SSB interview. NDA exam pattern comprises written exam and SSB Interview. The total marks allotted to the test are 900. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB Interview. There are also negative marks for wrong answers. Candidates can check below the paper pattern.

Papers	Subject	Maximum marks	Duration
Paper 1	Mathematics	300	2 ½
Paper 2	GAT	600	2 ½
Total		900	5 hours

Also Read: NDA Books

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is a good score in NDA Exam?

The total marks for the NDA exam is 1800 that is 900 for written exam and 900 for SSB interview. A score between 400 to 500 is considered secure in the written exam to get into the final merit list. Also, candidates need to pass in each subject minimum of 25% marks. There is no sectional-cut off.

Q: What are the passing marks in NDA?

Candidates are required to score a minimum of around 25 per cent marks in each subject to clear the NDA written exam. The total marks allotted to the written exam are 900. Besides the subject-wise cut off marks, the examination authority also decides overall cut off marks for different defence services. Candidates are required to secure both section-wise and overall cut off marks. To be in the final merit list, candidates are required to secure separate qualifying marks in the written exam and SSB interview.

Q: Is NDA exam conducted in both English and Hindi?

NDA question paper is framed in both English and Hindi. The written exam is conducted for 900 marks. The test carries two papers-Maths and GAT. Candidates qualifying the written exam are called for SSB interview.

NDA Preparation Tips 2026 FAQs

Candidates can check below NDA preparation tips FAQs.

Q: Are NCERT books enough for NDA exams?

NDA exam consists of questions that are of Class 12 standard. To clear the basic concepts, NCERT books are the best resource for preparation. Candidates can refer to the NCERT books for Class 10, 11 and 12.

Q: How many hours should be given to study for NDA?

Candidates should study for two to three hours. Practice previous year question paper. Candidates must know the syllabus and exam pattern. They should prepare study routine. Candidates must also solve mock test to improve speed.

Q: What are the important topics for NDA General Knowledge?

Questions in this section of NDA exam are asked from General Science, Indian history, Physics Geography, Chemistry and Current Events. Candidates must read the newspapers and watch news channels to know about the national and international events. Candidates must refer to the six months Current Affairs for NDA exam.

Q: How to prepare for NDA exam in three months?

Candidates must prepare a proper study plan for NDA exam. Besides, they must solve previous years question papers. Attempt mock tests to know the strong and weak areas.To crack the exam, the preparation should be good.

Q: How do I use previous years' question papers to prepare for NDA?

NDA exam consists of two papers- Maths and GAT. Total marks allotted to the The following tips help candidates to prepare for NDA exam.
Understand the exam
Know the syllabus
Solve the previous years question papers
Prepare a timetable
Follow the study routine
Attempt mock tests

Q: Which books are best for NDA Maths?

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.

Q: What is the purpose of the NDA syllabus?

Q: How much time is required for NDA Exam Preparation?

NDA preparation requires one year to six months. Candidates must focus on all subjects and topics relevant to the exam. They should attempt mock tests. Candidates must know the exam pattern and syllabus. They should also solve the previous years question papers.