Table of Contents
The Union Public Service Commission National Defence Academy (UPSC NDA) is one of the most desirable channels for recruitment in the armed forces in India. Conducted by the UPSC, this national level exam is conducted twice a year for admission into the NDA’s army, navy and air force wings. This exam also gives admission to INAC (Indian Naval Academy Course). Those who are successful in this exam and join the Indian Naval Academy get an opportunity to pursue a B.Tech course , which is of 4 years duration, and subsequently get posts in the technical & executive branches of the Navy. The selection to NDA is through a two step process, first of which is a written exam followed by an interview conducted by the Service Selection Board.
Preparation for the NDA Exam
To prepare for the exam in the best way and to crack it in the first attempt, one should have a clear idea about the exam pattern. The NDA written exam consists of two sections – Mathematics and GAT (General Ability Test). GAT comprises of English, Current Affairs, General Science, Physics, Chemistry, Geography and History. Once the results are out, the UPSC will release a list of candidates who have scored the maximum qualifying marks. These candidates will then be called for an interview by the SSB (Service Selection Board).
NDA Exam Pattern
- Each section will be a written paper with a duration of two and half hours.
- The mathematics section will have 120 questions of 2.5 marks each. Every incorrect answer will have a negative marking of .83.
- The GAT section will have 150 questions, 50 for English and 100 for General Knowledge, each for 4 marks. This section will have a negative marking of 1.33 each.
Click here to get the UPSC NDA syllabus
Tips to Crack NDA in the First Attempt
Preparation for the NDA exam or for that matter any other competitive exam should begin months before the exam. Sheer determination and hard work are the only keys to success. Here are some tips which might prove beneficial for you:
- Self preparation is the primary requirement to crack any test in life. Be ready to slog and go all out.
- Be thorough with the basics. The NCERT textbooks of grade 10, 11 and 12 will be of great help in this context. Most of the questions in mathematics, physics, chemistry, general science, history and geography will be based on these books. Memorize the formulas.
- Practice previous years’ question papers. This gives you an idea about the pattern of the paper, mark distribution, frequently asked topics and also helps to assess yourself. It helps you identify your weak areas so that you can put in more effort on those topics.
- Choose the best study material so that you can prepare in the best possible way in the comfort of your home. There are too many books out there which can leave you confused. So check out this blog
- Prepare a study plan and adhere to it. Perseverance and consistency goes a long way in exam preparations.
- Practice, practice, practice. The importance of practice cannot be stressed enough. This helps you in time management by giving you an idea about how much time you should spend on a question.
- To keep yourself abreast of the current affairs, make it a habit to watch news daily and be a regular reader of newspapers, magazines and journals. Reading English novels can be useful in improving your vocabulary. This will boost your confidence in the interview as well.
- Since there are negative markings, first answer those questions which you are absolutely sure about.
- Do not neglect your health. Keep your mind and body fit and healthy through proper diet, exercise and meditation.
- Avoid studying new topics in the last minute. this might make you nervous. Rather keep some short notes and revise them.
- Have a positive approach. A mind full of doubts and apprehensions will be your greatest nemesis. So steer clear of all the negative thoughts and put your best feet forward.
Best Books For NDA Preparation
Cracking the NDA exam without any coaching is not an unachievable feat. Go through these tips, start your preparation and you can find yourself inching closer to that dream of yours.
