NDA 2026 Preparation Tips, How to Prepare for NDA Entrance Exam
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam 2026 ( NDA )
Registration - 10 Dec '25 - 30 Dec '25
Also Read: NDA Topper Success Story
- NDA Preparation Tips
- NDA Syllabus
- NDA Exam Pattern 2026
- NDA Preparation Tips 2025 FAQs
NDA Preparation Tips
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 a cakewalk 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 the NDA last year question papers. Revise the topics given in the syllabus as much as you can.
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
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 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.
NDA Syllabus
NDA syllabus is prescribed by UPSC. The standard of the syllabus is of Class 9, 10, 11 and 12 levels.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
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.
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.
NDA Exam Pattern 2026
NDA exam pattern is divided into 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.
Also Read: NDA Books
Commonly asked questions
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.
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 2025 FAQs
Candidates can check below NDA preparation tips FAQs.
Commonly asked questions
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.
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.
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.
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
NDA Exam
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Here's a forum-style post tailored for the NDA 2 2026 result query:
Waiting for the NDA 2 2026 results can be quite nerve-wracking, especially after months of preparation and anticipation. Many aspirants are anxious to know exactly when the results will be declared and how their efforts translate int
A
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
NDA 2 2024 cut off marks are given below.
| Sl.No. | Name of the Wing | Vacancies | Number of Recommended candidates | Minimum qualifying standard at the written stage (out of 900 marks) | Marks secured by last recommended candidate at Final Stage (out of 1800 marks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Army, Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Naval Academy Courses | 208 (including 10 for |
792 |
305 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) |
673 |
M
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
NDA 1 2025 cut off marks are given below.
| Name of the Wing | Minimum qualifying standard at the written stage (out of 900 marks) | Marks secured by last recommended candidate at Final Stage (out of 1800 marks) |
|---|---|---|
Army, Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Naval Academy Courses | 334 (With at least 25% marks in each subject) | 699 |
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
NDA 2 is hard in terms of difficulty level. It is conducted for candidates who have passed Class 12. The test comprises two papers. The total marks allotted are 900. Selection is done based on the written exam and SSB Interview.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
NDA marks are rounded off up to two decimal digits for all stages. This done by applying the standard rounding off principle,
wherever applicable. While applying the tie-breaking principles, the rounded-off marks upto two decimal digits are considered for resolving all tie cases.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
In case the aggregate final marks are equal then securing more marks in the written exam are placed in higher rank. Candidates securing more marks in Paper 2 (GAT) are placed in higher rank. Age is also given preference while resolving the ties.
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
To be acceptable, candidates for the Army/Navy/Naval Academy and Air Force are required to secure qualifying marks separately in written exam and SSB. Candidates for the Air Force, and all the SSB qualified candidates as per their willingness, eligibility and preference for flying branch of Air For
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
NDA 1 result 2026 will be announced in the third week of April. The result will be made available roll-number and name-wise. Candidates need to secure the qualifying marks in the exam.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 2 weeks ago
A total of 394 vacancies were announced for NDA 1 2026 exam. The break-up is given below.
| Academy | Wings | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
NDA | Army | 208 (including 10 for female candidates) |
Navy | 42 (including 05 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) | |
Air Force | (i) Flying –92 (including 02 for female candidates) | |
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | - | 24 (including 03 for female candidates) (All Executive Branch) |
Total |
| 394 |
C
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a month ago
The NDA application form for 2026 will be released on December 10, 2025. Here's a summary of the key dates ¹ ²:
- *NDA 1 Application Form:*
- Release Date: December 10, 2025
- Last Date to Apply: December 30, 2025
- Exam Date: April 12, 2026
- *NDA 2 Application Form:*
- Release Date:
Y
Beginner-Level 1
Upcoming Sarkari Exam Dates
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When NDA 2 result 2026 will be announced?