Hello everyone. This is Subham Ghosh, currently pursuing my B.E. in Information Technology from AIT Pune. I had cleared my NDA written exam back in 2022. The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is conducted biannually to select candidates for the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA and the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). Preparing for this exam requires a thorough understanding of the NDA syllabus, which comprises two subjects: Mathematics (Maths) and General Ability Test (GAT). After registration on the official website of NDA UPSC, you will get your exam date and center a couple of weeks earlier and have to plan things likewise.

Who are eligible:-

Candidates who have passed Class 12 can apply for the Army wing of NDA. Those who have passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry,on and Mathematics can apply for Air Force and Naval wings of NDA. Candidates who are appearing in the Class 12 can also apply. One can get more detailed eligibility criteria on the official website of the NDA or UPSC. I appeared in the middle of my class 12 if you had this query.

Syllabus Overview:-

Mathematics (Maths):

The Maths syllabus includes topics that are primarily based on the Class 12 curriculum, covering:

– Algebra

– Calculus

– Matrices and Determinants

– Integral Calculus and Differential Equations

– Trigonometry

– Vector Algebra

– Analytical Geometry of Two and Three Dimensions

– Statistics and Probability

General Ability Test (GAT):

The GAT syllabus is broader and more varied, encompassing:

– English

– Physics

– Chemistry

– Social Studies

– General Science

– Geography

– Current Events

The GAT paper holds the maximum weightage in the UPSC NDA syllabus.

Exam Structure :-

The NDA exam is divided into two sessions, each lasting 2.5 hours, conducted on the same day:

1. First Session: Mathematics

2. Second Session: General Ability Test (GAT)

Mathematics Section:

– Total Questions: 120

– Total Marks: 300

– Negative Marking: -0.83 marks for each incorrect answer

General Ability Test (GAT) Section:

– Total Questions: 150

– Total Marks: 600

– Negative Marking: -1.33 marks for each incorrect answer

Exam Type :-

The exam will be a pen/paper type on an OMR sheet. The exam is divided into two sessions on the same day itself :-

Session 1: Mathematics

The Maths session tests your ability to solve problems using various mathematical formulas and theorems. The questions are from Class 10, 11, and 12 standards, making it crucial to have a strong foundation in these areas. The session includes 120 questions that need to be completed within 2.5 hours. Given the negative marking scheme, accuracy is as important as speed. The topics covered range from Algebra and Calculus to Trigonometry and Vector Algebra.

Session 2: General Ability Test (GAT)

The GAT session is designed to assess your overall general knowledge and understanding of various subjects. With 150 questions to be answered in 2.5 hours, this section has a higher weightage in terms of total marks (600 marks). The GAT covers a wide array of subjects including English, general science, and current events, requiring a well-rounded knowledge base. The negative marking is steeper in this section, emphasizing the need for careful consideration before answering each question.

Preparation Tips :-

As for me the following 5 did the work for my exam,

1. Understanding the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the NDA syllabus for both Maths and GAT. Knowing what to study is the first step towards effective preparation. You can find plenty of materials online or from genuine sources. Just stay put on a couple of sources rather than throwing hands at 10-15 sources.

2. Time Management: Practice managing your time efficiently during the exam. Regular mock tests can help you gauge your speed and accuracy. Make a habit of solving model PYQs.

3. Conceptual Clarity: Focus on building a clear understanding of fundamental concepts, especially in Maths. This will help you tackle problems more effectively.

4. Current Affairs to strengthen GAT: Stay updated with all the current trends that includes national and international events. Reading newspapers and following reliable news sources can be beneficial too.

5. Balanced Study Plan: Allocate specific times for Maths and GAT preparation. A balanced study plan ensures that you give adequate attention to both subjects as both will play crucial parts.

Results :-

Candidates who achieve the cut-off marks in the written exam are called for the SSB interview. This interview further assesses a candidate’s suitability for a career in the armed forces. I scored 348 overall in both papers combined and cleared the cut-off of 340 set for the year. Candidates need to secure 20 to 25 per cent in each subject of NDA exam. Besides, candidates need to secure the NDA cut off separately in the written exam and qualifying marks.

Gentle Reminder :-

With a clear understanding of the syllabus and a strategic study plan, candidates can approach the NDA exam with confidence and increase their chances of success. Also one needs to assess their weakness by solving model question papers, the most crucial phase in exam being time management. A small tip? Try to spend at most 2-3 minutes for a question, unless you don’t want to finish the paper at the end.