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How to Prepare for NDA 2024 - Best NDA Preparation Tips, Shortcuts here
Updated on Apr 12, 2024 10:36 AM IST | #NDA
Upcoming Event
NDA Exam Date : 14 Sep' 2025 - 14 Sep' 2025
The UPSC holds the NDA Exam twice a year with the aim of recruiting candidates into the Indian Navy, Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The NDA exam is a popular competitive exam for recruitment into the Indian Defence Services. Candidates can prepare for the NDA 1 exam by following the tips and tricks provided below. The NDA 1 exam 2024 will be held on April 21, 2024.
NDA 2024 Important Dates
In the table below, candidates can find some dates of interest pertaining to the NDA exam. Candidates are encouraged to make note of the NDA 2024 exam dates for future reference and to use them to inform their preparation for the NDA exam.
NDA 1 Exam Dates 2024
Events | NDA 1 2024 Date |
NDA 1 2024 notification | December 20, 2023 |
NDA 1 application form release | December 20, 2023 |
NDA 1 exam 2024 | April 21, 2024 |
NDA 2 Exam Dates 2024
Events | NDA 2 2024 Date |
NDA 2 2024 notification | May 15, 2024 |
NDA 2 application form release | May 15, 2024 |
NDA exam 2024 | September 1, 2024 |
How to Prepare for NDA 2024 - Tips for NDA Preparation
Candidates wanting to appear for the NDA exam for the first time might be thinking about how to prepare for NDA 2024, where to start the NDA preparation, what NDA books to study, what study material to refer to for the NDA examination, whether to take coaching or not and more. This article will resolve most of the issues regarding the NDA 2024 preparation method and strategy. Read the points below to get answers on how to prepare for NDA 2024.
NDA 2024 Preparation Tip 1 - Knowledge Of Exam Pattern
Before starting the NDA preparation 2024, candidates should have knowledge of the NDA exam pattern 2024. Check the table below.
NDA 2024 exam pattern
Subjects | Number of questions | Marks | Duration |
Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2 hrs 30 mins (each paper) |
General Ability Test | 150 | 600 |
Note- There is ⅓ negative marking for every wrong answer.
NDA 2024 Preparation Tip 2 - Knowledge Of Syllabus
Candidates along with the knowledge of the exam pattern for NDA 2024, should also know the NDA exam syllabus for the written exam. NDA written exam has two subjects - mathematics and general ability test. The questions asked in the NDA exam are from these to subjects. Candidates can check the details of the NDA syllabus 2024 here.
NDA 2024 Preparation Tip 3 - Focus On Completing The Course
The NDA 2024 syllabus for the written exam is prescribed by the Commission. Candidates should first focus on completing the syllabus of NDA 2024 as prescribed by the UPSC for the written exam. Before moving on to attempt sample NDA 2024 question papers or previous year question papers.
NDA 2024 Preparation Tip 4 - What Study Material To Refer
Candidates should develop a habit of reading newspapers and books as it will help them to improve their grammar skill set, cover recent events & developments in the world and improve their basic general knowledge. Applicants are also advised not to refer to too many books as it will cause a lot of confusion to aspirants. They are advised to just refer to the standard and best books for NDA 2024 preparation and solve as many sample question papers as possible in the allotted time frame.
NDA 2024 Preparation Tip 5 - Written Exam
Candidates are advised to practice as many sample and previous year question papers as possible for the NDA written examination. This will improve their speed and accuracy level in the examination. For the SSB applicants are advised to stay physically fit and develop their interpersonal skill sets.
Candidates should attempt the NDA sample papers after covering the NDA 2024 syllabus to get an idea of where they stand in their preparation. This will also help the candidates to know about their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the NDA exam and areas that need improvement. It will also give them a feel of the actual NDA exam pattern and the type of questions asked in the exam.
NDA 2024 Preparation Tip 6 - Time Management
Candidates should start their NDA preparation with a clean slate i.e. they should get rid of all the preconceived notions about the NDA and NA examination. Their focus should be on the final goal and how to achieve it. Applicants should start their UPSC NDA preparation well in advance before the actual exam, to cover all the subjects - mathematics and general ability tests.
Time management is key in every exam so candidates need to learn how to improve their efficiency in the allotted time. Different candidates have different ways of time management, so it's up to you to learn how to better utilize your time during the NDA 2024 exam.
NDA 2024 Preparation Tip 7 - Stay Healthy
Applicants need to stay calm, hydrated and focused to reach their final goal in any exam. Every candidate has a different way or strategy for preparing for the NDA exam. Applicants should follow the strategy that best suits them rather than copying others. The mantra for clearing the NDA 2024 exam is to stay focused and determined till the goal is achieved.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the NDA exam conducted online or offline?
The NDA 2024 exam will be conducted in offline mode i.e. pen and paper mode.
2. Is there -ve marking in the NDA written exam?
Yes, there is -ve marking in the written examination of NDA.
3. How many stages are there in the NDA selection process?
NDA exam has three stages in its selection process - written exam, SSB interview and medical exam.
4. What are the posts for which NDA exam is conducted?
The NDA exam is conducted for the recruitment of candidates to Officer level posts in the Indian Defence Services.
5. When is the NDA 1 2024 exam?
The NDA 1 2024 exam is scheduled to be held on April 21, 2024.
6. Can I apply for NDA 2024?
Candidates who fulfil the NDA 2024 eligibility criteria will be able to apply for the exam.
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Have a question related to NDA ?
Hello Gautam
A diploma holder is eligible and ineligible for the following:
1. NDA: No, a diploma holder is not eligible for NDA as they require the candidates to be passed or appearing in Class 12th.
2. JEE Main s: Similarly, a diploma holder is not eligible for JEE Mains as it is only for 12th passed/appearing students with PCM.
3. JEE Advance: Yes, a diploma holder is eligible for JEE Advance and can aim for IITs.
Regarding your second doubt:
No, a diploma holder is not eligible to take admission in NITs on the basis of JEE MAIN marks
. A diploma holder can only aim for IITs and that too on the basis of JEE Advance.
Thank you!!!
Yash Teotia 07 July,2025
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, you can appear for the NDA (National Defence Academy) exam in September 2026 to join the Indian Army, even if you are a Class 12 student with a PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) stream. The Indian Army wing of NDA does not require Mathematics or Physics as mandatory subjects in Class 12, unlike the Navy and Air Force wings, which are only open to candidates with a PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) background. As long as you are an Indian citizen, unmarried, and your age falls between 16.5 and 19.5 years as on the date specified in the 2026 notification (likely born between January 2, 2008, and July 1, 2011), you are eligible. You will still be required to attempt both papers in the NDA written exam—Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT)—but selection into the Army wing mainly considers your overall merit. So, with the right preparation, especially for GAT and basic math, you can definitely aim for a career in the Indian Army through NDA.
All the best for your journey.
Sonakshi Kumari 04 July,2025
Hello,
Yes, you can give the NDA exam in September 2026 to join the Indian Army, even if you are from the PCB stream.
For the Army wing, candidates from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) are eligible if they have passed or are appearing in Class 12.
Maths is not compulsory for the Army wing. However, you will still have to attempt the Maths paper in the exam.
Also, make sure your date of birth falls between 2nd January 2008 and 1st July 2011 to be eligible for NDA 2 (September 2026).
Hope it helps !
Prachi Kumari 08 July,2025
Dear Candidate ,
- For NDA 1 2026 , you are eligible since your birth date ( 24th Dec 2007 ) lies between 2 Jul 2007 and 1 Jul 2010 .
- For NDA 2 2026 , you are not eligible because the cutoff begins on 2 Jan 2008 .
Because UPSC requires candidates to be at least 16.5 and at most 19.5 years old on exam date ,
Vasundhra 01 July,2025
Hello Aspirant,
If you erroneously marked "Yes" for the question about studying in Sainik School or being the ward of a JCO/OR in the NDA 2 form when the answer was "No", Since you already mailed about this here is what you can do:
- Call UPSC to have it resolved quicker
- Wait for correction window (if any) - UPSC sometimes provides correction windows but they do this infrequently. If they have not yet announced the correction window, keep checking their official website.
- On exam day and at when SSB comes around, just be honest about what happened. In my past experience, as long as the mistake does not directly impact your eligibility or give you unjust advantage, they are usually okay to be sorted out during the document verification stage.
gopi 21 June,2025
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