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.
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.
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 |
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 |
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.
Before starting the NDA preparation 2024, candidates should have knowledge of the NDA exam pattern 2024. Check the table below.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
The NDA 2024 exam will be conducted in offline mode i.e. pen and paper mode.
NDA exam has three stages in its selection process - written exam, SSB interview and medical exam.
The NDA exam is conducted for the recruitment of candidates to Officer level posts in the Indian Defence Services.
The NDA 1 2024 exam is scheduled to be held on April 21, 2024.
Candidates who fulfil the NDA 2024 eligibility criteria will be able to apply for the exam.
Yes, there is -ve marking in the written examination of NDA.
On Question asked by student community
Hello aspirant,
Candidates must have been born between July 2, 2007, and July 1, 2010 in order to be eligible for this exam. You meet the age eligibility requirements since your date of birth falls within this range.
So, you are qualified to take the NDA 1 2026 exam if your birthdate is November 22, 2007.
Thank you
Hello, This is a very important and specific question. Based on the current medical standards for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA), a corrected eyesight of -3.0 D unfortunately makes you ineligible for the Army wing.
The Specific Eyesight Standards for NDA (Army Wing)
The armed forces have very strict visual standards, which are different for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. For the Army, the key limits are related to Myopia (nearsightedness) and Hypermetropia (farsightedness).
Your Situation: Your spectacle power of -3.0 D is beyond the acceptable limit of -2.5 D for myopia.
I hope you found this information helpful.
Hi dear candidate,
You are eligible for NDA Air force and Navy wing even though you have subjects from two different marksheets but having qualified in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics is all you need. Hence, you are eligible but also check other criteria as well like age, physical requirements etc.
Kindly refer to the link below:
NDA Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Age Limit, Qualification, Nationality, Attempt Limit
BEST REGARDS
If your birthday is on 3rd April 2007, you are eligible to apply for the NDA 1 exam in 2026, but you are not eligible for NDA 2, 2026.
Current age limit is Minimum-16.5 years, Maximum-19.5 years.
cgeck here NDA ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Hope it helps..
Hello,
Yes, you will be eligible.
For NDA 1 2026, candidates must be between 16.5 years and 19.5 years on the cut-off dates given in the notification. Since you will be 19 years 4 months at the time of exam, you will still be under 19.5 years. So you can apply.
You will only become ineligible after you cross 19.5 years.
Hope it helps !
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