NDA Preparation 2025: The Union Public Service Commission conducts the National Defence Academy or NDA exam twice a year for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA, as well as the Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC). The selection of eligible candidates will be done through a written examination and SSB interviews.
*Steps to Take NDA Mock Tests are mentioned below.
Candidates must have a proper and effective study plan and cover the entire syllabus. It is also necessary for candidates to have a clear understanding of the NDA exam pattern and syllabus. Check out the article to know more about the preparation tips, mock tests and best books.
NDA Preparation 2025: Exam Overview
Let us have an overview of the NDA 2025 before getting into other details:
Particulars
Details
Conducting Body
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Name of Examination
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination- NDA
Examination Level
National level
Exam Frequency
Twice a year
Mode of Examination
Offline (Pen and Paper Based)
Subjects
Phase 1: Mathematics and General Ability TestPhase 2: SSB Test/ Interview
Language of the Question Paper
English and Hindi
Type of Questions
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Number of Questions
Written Exam- Mathematics: 150 + General Ability Test: 120
Total Marks
Written Exam- Mathematics: 300 + General Ability Test: 600 SSB Interview: 900
Duration of Examination
2.5 hours for each section
NDA 2025: Important Dates
The schedule has already been announced for NDA 2025 exams. Candidates appearing for the exam can check out the NDA Exam Dates in the table given below:
Events
NDA 1 2025 Exam Date
Release of NDA Notification
11 December 2024
Commencement of NDA Application Forms
11 December 2024
Last day to apply for NDA 2025
31 December 2024
NDA Admit Card Release Date
March 2025
NDA Exam Date 2025
13 April 2025
Result Declaration
June 2025
NDA Preparation Tips 2025
Planning and Preparation are two important factors to crack any exam. Candidates can check out the preparation tips for NDA 2025 Exam below:
Be thorough with the syllabus & exam pattern: Make sure to go through the NDA exam pattern. Then have a clear understanding of the NDA syllabus – know the various concepts included in the syllabus. Once candidates have explicit knowledge of the syllabus and exam pattern, they will find it easier to plan the preparation.
Prioritise tasks: Categorise the different concepts in the syllabus into complex and easy concepts. Also, the relevance to the exam must be taken into consideration. Try to focus on the difficult and important concepts for the exam. Spend more time on these concepts and practice them more.
Create a realistic timetable: Allocate time for each activity, like learning new concepts, solving practice questions, and revision. Set daily, weekly and monthly goals so that candidates can complete the syllabus on time.
Clear the basics: Start by brushing up on the theories of concepts that has been already finished. Clear the basics of those which candidates are not confident in or haven’t studied before.
Make notes of important points: Make notes of or at least highlight the equations, formulas, etc. Go through the notes and practice them regularly until they are familiar. Visuals have longer tendencies to stay in mind. So, please practice drawings as well. Make notes from the NDA Books recommended by Embibe.
Practice diligently: Every time candidates finish a chapter, solve as many practice questions as possible. Maintain a separate notebook for practising. It will help a lot in last-minute revision. Mark the questions that are challenging to practice later. Mastering a specific concept will happen gradually as candidates revise and practice.
Revise regularly: Make sure candidates revise what has been learned on a regular basis. The best way to revise is to take small tests in English and GK. For Physics, Chemistry and Maths, candidates can solve Class 12 PCM Practice Questions. Go through the notes, practice notebooks, and practice the difficult formulas and questions.
Finish the easy topics first: With time in hand, go for the easier topics first because candidates will be able to finish them fast and have enough time left for difficult topics. It will ensure they finish most of the syllabus.
Take a sufficient number of mock tests: Mock test is the most effective way to improve preparation. These tests will help in a thorough understanding of the actual test.
Steps to NDA Mock Tests
Access the unlimited NDA mock tests from Embibe and improve the preparation level. Candidates can follow the below-mentioned steps to take the NDA mock tests:
1st Step: Visit Embibe’s official website, i.e., Embibe.
2nd Step: Use the mobile number/email to log in.
3rd Step: Select Goal as ‘Defence’ under Government exam.
4th Step: Click Next and select ‘NDA & NA‘.
5th Step: Click Next and select the preferred language.
6th Step: Once done, click on the mock test links to take the TEST.
NDA Preparation 2025
Calculus (Integration and Differentiation) has to be covered first. If candidates check the previous year’s papers, they will get at least 30 questions that were asked from these two chapters. These two chapters are very scoring and recommendable. The candidates who do not have Mathematics in their higher secondary level will have to cover the basics first. Therefore spend at least 2 or 3 hours on these two chapters every day. Refer to the NCERT Mathematics books or RD Sharma.
The second most important chapter is Matrices, straight lines, and 3D Geometry. At least 10 questions will come from these chapters. Finish Arithmetic Progressions, Geometric Progressions, Probability, and Trigonometry as well. If candidates finish all these chapters, then they will cover 120 questions
For General Ability, brush up on History, Civics, and Geography and brush up on high school’s NCERT textbooks. For Physics and Chemistry, refer to the NCERT textbooks of Class 11 and 12.
UPSC NDA 2025: Last-minute Preparation Tips
Ensure to revise all the topics that have been learned so far.
Try to attempt questions from the stronger areas.
To avoid negative markings, candidates must maintain their accuracy.
Time management is critical. If candidates are unable to answer a question quickly, solve them later.
Candidates should not skip over the easier questions because of time constraints.
Don’t leave too many questions to mark at the end.
Wren & Martin’s High School English Grammar & Composition
S. Chand
Word Power Made Easy
Norman Lewis (Goyal Publishers)
Best Books for NDA GK
Section
NCERT Books
Best Books
Physics
Class 9 and 10
Lucent GK
Chemistry
Class 9 and 10
Lucent GK
Biology
Class 9 and 10
Lucent GK
History,dom Movement, etc.
NCERT by Satish Chandra If not available, candidates may follow the books of the Tamil Nadu Board
Lucent GK Path finder by Arihant Publication
Polity
NCERT – Constitution at Work
Candidates preparing for CDS can go through M. Laxmikant Lucent GK – Factual Aspects
Economics
NCERT – Macro- Economics – Class 12th
–
Geography
NCERT – 9 To 12
Lucent GK- For facts Pathfinder- if time permits
Current Events
Reading Daily newspaper – preferably The Hindu or The Indian Express.
Our Coverage of Currents Affairs in the form of Monthly Magzine.
FAQs on NDA Preparation Tips 2025
Here, we have enlisted some of the important frequently asked questions related to NDA Preparation Tips 2025.
Q.1: What is the ideal time for NDA preparation? Ans: The ideal time for preparing for NDA exam is at least 1 year prior to the release date of notification.
Q.2: How can I prepare for NDA? Ans: Candidates should go through the NDA syllabus and exam pattern to start the preparation. Also, solve practice questions and mock tests available on Embibe for.
Q.3: What are the important topics for General Knowledge? Ans: The most important topics for GK are General Science, Indian History, Physics, Geography, Chemistry and Current Events.
Q.4: What are the important topics for Maths for NDA exam? Ans: Some of the important topics for Maths are Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Algebra, Vector Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Analytical Geometry, Statistics & Probability.
Q.5: Where can I practice NDA mock tests for? Ans: Candiadtes can practice NDA mock tests at Embibe. Steps to NDA mock tests are given in this article.