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It is important that candidates pick the best books to prepare for the NDA exam. Only 5,000-6,000 candidates pass and get selected for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview. This is despite lakhs of Candidates appearing for the NDA 2024 exam yearly.
According to the NDA exam syllabus 2024, there are three subjects that candidates need to be thorough with, those being Mathematics, English, and General Knowledge. To cover the NDA syllabus, candidates must prepare using the NDA best books. Candidates can go through the material below for a list of the best books to prepare for NDA along with authors and publishers.
New: NDA 1 Final Result 2024 Out
NDA Exam: Sample Papers | Preparation Tips | Syllabus
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From the following lists, NDA 2024 aspirants can find the best books for overall preparation as well as for the subject General Ability Test.
NDA Book Name | Author/Publisher |
Pathfinder for NDA & NA National Defence Academy Naval Academy Entrance Examination | Arihant |
Study Package for NDA/NA Entrance Exam | Tata McGraw-Hill Education India |
Chapter wise-Section wise Solved Papers NDA & NA | Arihant |
Study Package for NDA/NA Entrance Exam | Tata McGraw-Hill Education India |
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NDA General Ability Test Book Name | Author/Publisher |
Science and Technology in India | Kalpana Rajaram: Spectrum |
Oxford School Atlas | Oxford |
Social Problems In India (Indian Society – GS1) | Ram Ahuja |
Objective General English for Competitive Exams | S.P. Bakshi |
General Knowledge | Arihant |
General Science Guide for Competitive Exams – CSAT/ NDA/ CDS/ Railways/ SSC/ UPSC/ State PSC/ Defence | Disha |
History Of Modern India | Bipan Chandra |
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Apart from the overall best books, we have also shared the subject-wise best books of NDA for candidates. From the following tables, candidates can check the NDA subject-wise best books for better and in-depth preparations
From the following table, candidates can refer to the books of NDA for Mathematics subjects.
NDA Mathematics Books | Author / Publisher |
NCERT Mathematics Textbook of Class 11 and Class 12 | NCERT |
Mathematics | R.S. Aggarwal |
Mathematics for NDA and NA | S Chand publication |
R.S. Agarwal | |
NDA Entrance Exam | E. S. Ramasamy |
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From the physics section, the questions will be from classes 11 & 12. The difficulty level of the questions will be 10+2. For physics, the NCERT Physics books of Class 11 & 12 is more than enough to prepare.
For questions from the chemistry section of the NDA exam, the NCERT Chemistry book of Class 11 and 12 along with the NCERT Exemplar is enough. The difficulty level will also be 10+2. The topics in Chemistry of NDA will be as follows -
Physical and Chemical Changes
Air and Water
Acids, Bases and Salts
Oxidation and Reduction
Atoms, valence, etc.
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The current affairs are dynamic in nature and to ace in this section, candidates must focus on reading newspapers such as The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India, etc, along with magazines on current affairs. The newspapers and magazines will also help candidates with English subjects. Manorama Yearbook and Pratiyogita Darpan are the best examples to cover current affairs.
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In this section, NDA tests the candidate’s abilities in understanding grammar and vocabulary. Here are the books that the students can refer to for English.
NDA English Books | NDA English Books Author |
Objective General English | SP Bakshi |
Wren & Martin High School English Grammar and Composition | Wren and Martin |
Word Power Made Easy | Norman and Lewis |
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The exam conducting authority prescribes the NDA 2024 syllabus and mentions it as the official notification. Candidates preparing for NDA must check the syllabus to plan their studies likewise. The syllabus of NDA 2024 comprises two parts - General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics.
The topics covered in Maths are from the 10+2 level while the GAT syllabus comprises current affairs, History, Polity, Geography, etc. In order to qualify for the exam, candidates must cover the whole syllabus well in advance with sufficient time for revision.
UPSC NDA exam pattern consists of the stages of the exam, mode of exam, total marks, number of questions, time duration, etc. Aspirants preparing for NDA must go through the exam pattern in detail. As per the NDA exam pattern, there are two papers - Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Both papers carry a total of 900 marks. NDA exam 2024 is conducted in two stages - written exam as well as SSB interview. Candidates qualifying in one stage will be eligible to appear for the next stage.
UPSC releases the NDA question papers in online mode after the exam is conducted. The NDA question paper is released for both the papers - Mathematics and GAT (General Ability Test). Candidates preparing for the exam must download the question papers of NDA and practise them right from the day to increase their chances of qualification in the NDA exam.
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The best books for NDA are not sufficient to qualify for the exam. Candidates must also follow some preparation tips other than the NDA study materials to qualify for the exam. Some of the NDA preparations tips are mentioned below -
Download previous year NDA question papers for at least 10 years and start practising them from day 1.
Know about the syllabus of NDA in detail to know about the sections, topics, subjects and everything related to the NDA exam.
Refer to the NDA exam pattern to know about the stages, marking scheme, and the time duration of the NDA exam.
Make a time table and follow it on a daily basis.
Read newspapers and magazines to stay updated with current affairs and to also work on comprehension, English vocabulary etc.
More articles related to the NDA exam 2024
There are a lot of books available which are said to have helped candidates a lot. The core books are RS Aggarwal, ES Ramasamy, Arihant and most importantly NCERT.
After completing the NDA course a candidate gets recruited as Lieutenant and gets a salary of Rs. 56100 which rises as per promotions, job tenure and risk level.
Mathematics and General Ability Test are the subjects in NDA. GAT covers Physics, Chemistry, General Science, Geography, History, Current Events etc.
No, it is one of the toughest exams in India. NDA is said to be the gateway for Indian boys as officers into the Indian Defense Services. Hence the recruitment process is quite a difficulty but not impossible to crack.
To prepare for NDA it is advised to stick with the official syllabus and exam pattern, refer to the best books, solve previous year question papers and allot at least 6-7 hours for studies daily.
Yes, there are a lot of students who do self-study, in fact with the help of online study materials and free video lectures provided by some of the coaching institutes, self-study has developed as a good means to study. But the candidate must not skip the worth of coaching centres also, as it provides expert inputs into the studies.
There is nothing like which board is best or not, but yes CBSE students stand a better chance of qualifying the exams due to their syllabus and NCERT books. However, candidates from ICSE and other regional boards can also qualify given they prepare English efficiently.
Pathfinder is a good book to prepare for NDA, but candidates are advised to not completely rely on it and explore more options recommended by experts, toppers etc.
Yes, NCERT is enough to cover the curriculum but for current affairs and general awareness candidates must also refer to Arihant, Pathfinder, and Lucents along with newspapers and monthly current affairs magazines etc.
Counselling Date:22 January,2025 - 17 February,2025
Application Date:03 February,2025 - 23 February,2025
Hello aspirant,
Candidates must fulfill the age limits established by UPSC in order to be eligible for the NDA 1 and NDA 2 in 2026. The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam has an age range of 16.5 to 19.5 years. This also holds true for the NDA 2 exam.
Thank you
Hope it helps you
If you’re aiming to join the National Defence Academy (NDA), here’s a simplified guide to help you:
1. Eligibility:
Age Limit: You must be between 16.5 to 19.5 years old.
Educational Requirements:
For Army Wing: You can apply with any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts).
For Air Force & Navy Wings: You need to have Physics and Mathematics in your 12th standard.
Physical Fitness: You'll need to meet specific physical and medical standards (important for your health checkup later).
2. Application Process:
When to Apply: The UPSC releases the NDA exam notification twice a year, typically in January and June.
How to Apply: You can apply online through the official UPSC website.
3. Exam Pattern:
Written Exam:
Mathematics: 300 marks (2.5 hours)
General Ability Test (GAT): 600 marks (2.5 hours)
SSB Interview: If you clear the written exam, you will face a detailed interview that tests your physical, mental, and emotional strength.
4. Preparation Tips:
Create a Study Plan: Make sure you cover all subjects systematically.
Practice Regularly: Solve previous years' question papers and attempt mock tests.
Physical Fitness: NDA demands physical fitness, so regular exercise is crucial.
Stay Informed: Keep up with current events and general knowledge, which is an important part of the exam.
5. Coaching and Resources:
You can join coaching centers for structured preparation or rely on books, especially NCERT textbooks.
Books for NDA: Some good books include NDA’s guide by R.S. Aggarwal or Lucent’s General Knowledge.
6. Medical and Other Considerations:
Make sure you meet the medical standards during the NDA medical examination.
Keep checking the official UPSC website for updates on exam dates and notifications.
By staying disciplined and consistent in your preparation, you’ll be on the right track to secure a place in NDA. Focus on both the academic and physical aspects, and don't forget to be mentally prepared for the challenges ahead!
Hello aspirant,
Candidates for NDA 1 2026 must have been born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010. Candidates for NDA 2 2026 must have been born between January 2, 2008, and January 1, 2011. According to your date of birth, you will surpass the age limit in 2026 at the age of 19.
Thank you
Hello,
To be eligible for NDA 1 and 2 in 2026:
Hence, you are not eligible for NDA 1 or 2 in 2026.
Hope it helps !
Hello there,
To determine your eligibility for the
NDA 1 2026 exam
, consider the
age criteria
set by UPSC:
Age Criteria for NDA 1 2026 (April Exam):
Yes,
you are eligible
to apply for the
NDA 1 2026 exam
. Ensure you meet other criteria like educational qualifications (12th pass or appearing).
For more details about the Eligibility Criteria
CLICK HERE
.
I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to share your questions with us we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you and wishing you all the best for your bright future.
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