NDA Question Paper 2025 Complete Guide: Download & Prepare

April 3, 2025
nda question paper

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preparing for any competitive examination indeed requires patience and hard work. Apart from that, one must devote himself to studying especially when it is the UPSC exam. To secure your selection in the NDA on the first attempt start practicing the last few years’ NDA question papers. National Defence Academy is one of the toughest exams the UPSC ever conducts. So, to secure your selection on the first attempt start practicing the last few year’s NDA question papers. For your benefit here we have attached the PDF copies of NDA previous year’s question paper.

NDA Question Paper: Overview

Previous years’ question papers play a crucial role in helping candidates achieve good marks in their exams. If you are planning to prepare for the National Defence Academy (NDA) or Naval Academy entrance exam, it is essential to understand the exam pattern set by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The NDA exam consists of two papers: General Ability and Mathematics, both of which are assessed through a written test conducted by UPSC. To familiarize candidates with the question format and exam requirements, we have compiled NDA’s previous year’s question papers in this article.

Helps to understand the pattern

The NDA exam is one of the toughest. Although more than 1 lakh applications are submitted each year out of them only 1000 people can get the chance. This ratio denotes how difficult it is to get the chance at one attempt. However, having an idea of the NDA in the previous year’s paper will clear the picture of the question pattern. 

Better time management skills

The UPSC exams are considered one of the toughest because of the standard of questions. Moreover, if you see the time allotted for answering the entire paper then you will understand how fast you should answer. Practicing NDA question papers will increase your efficiency in answering questions in a short time. 

Self-analysis

Nowadays you will find easily NDA’s previous year’s question paper with a solution pdf. So, you can easily get the scope to analyze yourself by going through that solution paper. After practicing you can calculate the marks based on the given solution. In this way, you can do self-analysis. 

nda question paper

NDA Exam Pattern 2025

The NDA Exam Pattern 2025 consists of two stages: a written examination and an SSB interview. The written test is conducted for all registered candidates and includes two subjects—Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). The NDA question paper comprises a total of 270 questions, with a maximum score of 900 marks. To qualify, candidates must secure at least 25% marks in each section along with the overall cutoff. The exam follows an objective-type format, and negative marking is applicable for incorrect answers.

Candidates who pass the written exam proceed to the SSB interview, which is conducted in two phases. The first phase includes the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and the Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PP & DT). The second phase consists of psychological assessments and a final conference. The SSB interview also carries a total of 900 marks. To succeed, candidates must achieve the cutoff marks set by UPSC for both the written exam and the SSB interview. The latest NDA exam pattern helps candidates understand key details such as exam mode, total marks, duration, and types of questions asked.

NDA Exam Pattern Overview

The NDA exam pattern provides essential details regarding the mode of examination, total marks, duration, and types of questions asked. Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for candidates preparing for the NDA exam, as it helps them strategize effectively and aim for a higher rank. A clear understanding of the structure and requirements of the recruitment process ensures better preparation. The NDA written examination consists of two papers: the General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics. The test is conducted offline, and the question paper is available in both English and Hindi. Below are the key details of the NDA exam pattern:

ParticularsDetails
Mode of ExamOffline
Number of PapersGAT and Mathematics
Duration of TestGAT: 2.5 hours | Mathematics: 2.5 hours
Exam TimingGAT: 10 AM – 12:30 PM | Mathematics: 2 PM – 4:30 PM
Number of QuestionsGAT: 150 | Mathematics: 120
Language of Question PaperEnglish and Hindi
Total MarksWritten Exam: 900 (GAT: 600, Mathematics: 300) | SSB Interview: 900

NDA Syllabus 2025

The NDA syllabus is divided into two sections: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). The Mathematics section consists of 120 questions, while the GAT paper contains 150 questions. The GAT syllabus evaluates a candidate’s knowledge in subjects such as History, General Knowledge, Current Affairs (National and International), English, Science, and Geography. The Mathematics syllabus focuses on assessing problem-solving skills using formulas and theorems. The difficulty level of the NDA syllabus aligns with Class 10, 11, and 12 standards. The GAT section carries the highest weightage, with a total of 600 marks, while the Mathematics paper is worth 300 marks.

Candidates who secure the cut-off marks in the written exam are invited for the SSB interview, which is conducted by UPSC. Understanding the NDA syllabus is crucial for candidates to identify important topics and plan their studies efficiently. Additionally, solving NDA question papers helps candidates familiarize themselves with the exam format and question types. The NDA answer key provides correct responses to the questions asked in the exam.

NDA Syllabus 2025 – Key Highlights

ParametersDetails
Exam NameNational Defence Academy (NDA) Exam
Conducting BodyUnion Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Exam FrequencyTwice a year (NDA 1 & NDA 2)
Selection ProcessWritten Test, Intelligence & Personality Test (SSB)
Mode of ExamOffline (Pen and Paper mode)
Subjects CoveredMathematics and General Ability Test (GAT)
Total Marks900 (Mathematics: 300, GAT: 600)

This structured overview provides candidates with a clear understanding of the NDA syllabus and helps them prepare effectively for the exam.

NDA Syllabus PDF

The NDA syllabus is divided into two main subjects: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). The GAT section is further divided into English and General Knowledge. The NDA Syllabus 2025 covers a wide range of topics, including Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Social Studies, Geography, and Current Events. Candidates can download the NDA syllabus PDF to plan their preparation effectively.

Before starting their NDA exam preparation, candidates should thoroughly review the syllabus to understand the topics they need to cover. Below are some key subjects and topics that candidates must focus on:

  • English
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Synonyms & Antonyms
    • Spotting Errors
    • Vocabulary
    • Idioms and Phrases
  • Mathematics
    • Matrices and Determinants
    • Sets and Venn Diagrams
    • Trigonometry
    • 2D and 3D Geometry
    • Differential Calculus
  • General Knowledge
    • History
    • Chemistry
    • Current Affairs
    • Art and Culture
    • Physics and Basic Science

Referring to the NDA Paper syllabus and systematically covering important topics will help candidates strengthen their preparation. Regular practice with NDA Paper will improve their understanding and boost their chances of success in the exam.

NDA Question Paper from Previous Years

For NDA 2025, the exam dates for NDA & NA 1 have been officially released in the annual calendar. NDA 1 is set for April 13, 2025, while NDA 2 will be conducted on September 14, 2025. As the competition grows each year with a rising number of applicants, candidates need to refine their preparation strategies. Practicing with NDA Previous Year Paper can greatly enhance accuracy and speed. To support candidates in their preparation, we have compiled a list of NDA Previous Year Paper PDFs in this article.

NDA Question Paper PDF Download

Candidates preparing for the NDA 2025 exam can greatly benefit from practicing with NDA Previous Year Question Paper. These papers provide insights into the exam pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions asked. Below is a collection of NDA Previous Year Question Paper from past years, available for download and practice. Consistent practice with these papers will enhance problem-solving skills and improve time management.

Practising with NDA Previous Year Papers is essential for understanding the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level. These papers help candidates improve accuracy, speed, and time management, enhancing their overall performance. Regularly solving NDA Previous Year Papers boosts confidence and prepares aspirants for the actual exam effectively.

NDA Question Papers (Year-Wise)

YearNDA-1 (Mathematics)NDA-1 (General Ability)NDA-2 (Mathematics)NDA-2 (General Ability)
2024Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF
2023Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF
2022Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF
2021Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF
2020Download PDFDownload PDF
2019Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF
2018Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF
2017Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF
2016Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF
2015Download PDFDownload PDFDownload PDFDownload PDF

By referring to these NDA Question Papers, candidates can get a strong grasp of the syllabus and improve their exam performance.

Frequently Asked Questions: (FAQ’s)

Q1. Who is eligible for the NDA exam? 

Ans. If you want to take the NDA exam, then you must become eligible. The first eligibility criterion is age. So, as per the instructions, one must attain the age bracket of 16-19 years. Apart from that, one must complete his 10+2 from a government educational board.

Q2. Can I clear the NDA first attempt?

Ans. Yes, you can clear the NDA exam at the very first attempt if you prepare well. For that, you must follow a smart work policy instead of hard work. Undoubtedly, the syllabus is vast. So, if you can identify the chapters where it covers lots of questions then it will become easy.

Q3. Is NDA harder than IIT?

Ans. Both the NDA and IIT exams are among the toughest in India. The selection rate for IIT is 0.71%, while for NDA, it’s even lower at 0.15%.

Q4. Which questions are asked in NDA?

Ans. Questions in the NDA exam are asked from the below-mentioned topics: Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Integral Calculus and Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Analytical Geometry Of Two and Three Dimension and Statistics and Probability.

Q5. What is the salary after NDA?

Ans. After completing training at the National Defence Academy (NDA), officers start their careers with a monthly salary of INR 56,100 and can potentially earn up to INR 2,50,000 or more, depending on their rank and years of service. 

Related Content

  • Understanding exam pattern – NDA Question Papers help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam structure, marking scheme, and question types.
  • Enhancing preparation – Practicing previous years’ papers improves accuracy, speed, and problem-solving skills for the NDA exam.
  • Subject-wise practice – NDA Question Papers are available for Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT), helping candidates focus on specific subjects.
  • Time management – Solving NDA Question Papers under exam-like conditions helps candidates improve their time management skills.
  • Identifying trends – Analyzing past papers allows candidates to identify frequently asked topics and important sections for better exam preparation.