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Defence entrance · officer entry after Class 12 · Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

NDA & NA Mock Tests, Syllabus & Complete Exam Guide

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (UPSC). Practise 35 full-length mock tests on the official pattern, drill every topic, and get the eligibility, syllabus, cut-off, rank and college details you need — all in one place.

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NDA & NA at a glance

Papers
Maths · General Ability Test
Written
900 marks · two papers of 2.5 hrs
Marking
One-third negative in both papers
Stages
Written → SSB Interview → Medical
ModeOffline pen-and-paper · Written exam → SSB Interview → Medical
FrequencyTwice a year (NDA I and NDA II)
LanguagesEnglish & Hindi
By the ExamguruX Editorial TeamReviewed for pattern accuracy against Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)Last updated 10 August 2026

NDA & NA full-length mock tests

Attempt 35 full-length NDA & NA mock tests built on the official Maths · General Ability Test-question, 900-mark pattern. The first few are free — every test comes with instant results and a step-by-step solution for each question.

NDA & NA Full Mock Test 01

Free
52 Qs · 104 marks60 min19.1K attemptsModerate
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NDA & NA Full Mock Test 02

Free
52 Qs · 104 marks60 min23.1K attemptsHard
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NDA & NA Full Mock Test 03

Free
52 Qs · 104 marks60 min27.2K attemptsModerate
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NDA & NA Full Mock Test 04

52 Qs · 104 marks60 min31.2K attemptsHard
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NDA & NA Full Mock Test 05

52 Qs · 104 marks60 min35.3K attemptsEasy
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NDA & NA Full Mock Test 06

52 Qs · 104 marks60 min39.3K attemptsHard
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NDA & NA Full Mock Test 07

52 Qs · 104 marks60 min43.4K attemptsEasy
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NDA & NA Full Mock Test 08

52 Qs · 104 marks60 min47.4K attemptsModerate
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NDA & NA Full Mock Test 09

52 Qs · 104 marks60 min51.5K attemptsEasy
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The first tests in each section are free to try. Get the complete NDA & NA mock library, every topic test and all available languages for 3 months — a one-time ₹199 / 3 months.

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NDA & NA — free for everyone

Every NDA & NA mock and topic test is completely free until 15 September 2026 — no payment, no account needed to start.

  • Every full-length mock test
  • All topic-wise tests, every subject
  • All available languages
  • Step-by-step solution for every question
  • Indicative marks-to-rank & cut-offs
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Normally ₹199 / 3 months per exam · free during the launch offer

NDA & NA topic-wise tests & syllabus

120 topic tests across 4 subjects — a focused set of 15 tests for every topic in the NDA & NA syllabus, tagged with approximate exam weightage so you practise where the marks are.

120 topic-wise tests · 15 per topic across 4 subjects. Pick a subject, expand a topic, and start drilling.

Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 01

Free
12 Qs · 24 marks11 min120K attemptsModerate
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 02

Free
12 Qs · 24 marks11 min149K attemptsEasy
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 03

20 Qs · 40 marks18 min177K attemptsHard
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 04

12 Qs · 24 marks11 min205K attemptsModerate
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 05

12 Qs · 24 marks11 min234K attemptsEasy
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 06

20 Qs · 40 marks18 min262K attemptsHard
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 07

12 Qs · 24 marks11 min290K attemptsModerate
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 08

12 Qs · 24 marks11 min18.8K attemptsEasy
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 09

20 Qs · 40 marks18 min47.2K attemptsHard
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 10

12 Qs · 24 marks11 min75.5K attemptsModerate
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 11

12 Qs · 24 marks11 min104K attemptsEasy
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 12

20 Qs · 40 marks18 min132K attemptsHard
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 13

12 Qs · 24 marks11 min161K attemptsModerate
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 14

12 Qs · 24 marks11 min189K attemptsEasy
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Algebra, Matrices & Trigonometry — Test 15

20 Qs · 40 marks18 min217K attemptsHard
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NDA & NA sample questions

A few real NDA & NA questions with answers and step-by-step solutions, in the exact style of the full mock tests.

MathematicsSample 1

If A = {2, 3, 5, 7} and B = {1, 2, 3, 4}, then A intersection B is:

  • A.{5, 7}
  • B.{2, 3}
  • C.{1, 4}
  • D.{2, 3, 5, 7}

Solution: The intersection contains only the elements common to both sets, namely 2 and 3.

General Ability: EnglishSample 2

Choose the word closest in meaning to 'Candid'.

  • A.Deceitful
  • B.Frank
  • C.Timid
  • D.Careless

Solution: 'Candid' means open and honest in expression, so it is closest to 'frank'.

General Ability: Physics & ChemistrySample 3

A body of mass 5 kg is acted upon by a net force that gives it an acceleration of 4 m/s^2. The magnitude of the force is:

  • A.9 N
  • B.1.25 N
  • C.20 N
  • D.0.8 N

Solution: By Newton's second law, F = m x a = 5 x 4 = 20 N.

General Ability: History, Geography & Current EventsSample 4

Who founded the Arya Samaj in 1875?

  • A.Swami Dayananda Saraswati
  • B.Raja Ram Mohan Roy
  • C.Swami Vivekananda
  • D.Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Solution: The Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement, was founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875.

About the NDA & NA exam

A national entrance exam for unmarried 10+2 candidates seeking admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy and to the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy — the gateway to a permanent commission as an officer in the Armed Forces.

What is the NDA & NA exam?

The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year — NDA I and NDA II — to select unmarried 10+2 candidates for the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy. It is one of the most sought-after routes to becoming a commissioned officer in the Armed Forces straight after Class 12.

Selection has three parts: a written examination of 900 marks, the Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview of 900 marks, and a medical examination. The written exam has two papers — Paper I Mathematics (300 marks) and Paper II the General Ability Test (600 marks, split into English and General Knowledge). Because both papers carry one-third negative marking, accuracy matters as much as coverage. Cadets who clear all stages train at the NDA before moving to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy or Air Force Academy for their pre-commission training.

How to clear the NDA

Mathematics is worth 300 of the 900 written marks, so it is the single biggest lever — master 10+2 algebra, matrices and determinants, trigonometry, calculus, coordinate geometry, vectors and probability until problems are quick and accurate. The General Ability Test rewards broad, steady preparation: strong English grammar and comprehension for the 200-mark English section, and reliable Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and current-affairs knowledge for the 400-mark General Knowledge section.

Because every wrong answer costs one-third of the marks, disciplined attempting beats blind guessing — solve what you know and eliminate before you commit. Full-length timed mocks build the stamina the two 2.5-hour papers demand and reveal weak sections early. Clearing the written exam is only half the journey: the SSB Interview tests officer-like qualities over about five days, so build physical fitness, communication and awareness of defence and current affairs well in advance.

NDA & NA eligibility & exam pattern

Check whether you meet the NDA & NA eligibility criteria and understand exactly how the paper is structured and marked before you plan your preparation.

Eligibility criteria

Nationality
Indian citizen, or a candidate belonging to the other categories specified in the UPSC notification.
Marital status
Only unmarried candidates are eligible to apply and to join the academy.
Gender
Open to both men and women for all wings, as notified by UPSC.
Age
Generally 16.5 to 19.5 years as on the reference date given in the notification.
Qualification
Passed 10+2 (Class 12) from a recognised board — Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 are required for the Air Force, Navy and the 10+2 Naval Academy entry.
Physical & medical
Candidates must meet the physical and medical fitness standards, including height, vision and general health, prescribed for the Armed Forces.

Exam pattern & marking

SubjectQuestionsMarks
Paper I — MathematicsAlgebra, matrices, trigonometry, calculus, coordinate geometry, vectors, probability (10+2 level)120300
Paper II — General Ability: EnglishGrammar, vocabulary, comprehension, sentence improvement50200
Paper II — General Ability: General KnowledgePhysics, Chemistry, General Science, History & Freedom Movement, Geography, Current Events100400
SSB InterviewPsychological tests, group tasks and personal interview over about five days—900
TotalNaN900

The NDA & NA written examination is worth 900 marks across two papers, each of 2.5 hours. Paper I, Mathematics, has 120 objective questions for 300 marks; a correct answer earns 2.5 marks and a wrong answer loses one-third of that (about 0.83). Paper II, the General Ability Test, has 150 questions for 600 marks, split into English (50 questions, 200 marks) and General Knowledge (100 questions, 400 marks covering Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History and the Freedom Movement, Geography and Current Events); each correct answer earns 4 marks and each wrong answer loses one-third (about 1.33). Both papers therefore apply one-third negative marking. Candidates who clear the written cutoff are called for the SSB Interview (900 marks) held over about five days, followed by a qualifying medical examination; final merit is out of 1800 marks. On ExamguruX the engine scores +1 for a correct answer and −1/3 for a wrong one — the same one-third negative ratio as the real exam — and every question carries a worked solution.

Duration: 5 hours (two papers of 2.5 hours).

How to prepare for NDA & NA

A proven, focused NDA & NA preparation method — from building strong fundamentals to peaking with full-length mocks.

  1. 1

    Make Mathematics your strength

    Paper I is worth 300 marks. Drill 10+2 algebra, matrices and determinants, trigonometry, calculus, coordinate geometry, vectors and probability until they are fast and accurate — this is the biggest scoring lever.

  2. 2

    Cover the General Ability Test widely

    Paper II spans English plus Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and current events. Read regularly and revise static facts so the 600-mark paper is broad and reliable rather than patchy.

  3. 3

    Sharpen English fundamentals

    The English section carries 200 marks. Practise grammar, vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms, sentence improvement and comprehension for quick, accurate marks.

  4. 4

    Respect the one-third negative marking

    Both papers penalise wrong answers by one-third. Attempt when you can eliminate to a confident choice and leave questions you genuinely cannot judge.

  5. 5

    Take full-length timed mocks

    Each paper runs 2.5 hours. Simulate the real clock and marking to build stamina, learn section balance and review the worked solution for every question you miss.

  6. 6

    Prepare early for the SSB and medical

    The written exam is only the first stage. Build physical fitness, communication skills and defence and current-affairs awareness ahead of the five-day SSB Interview and the medical examination.

NDA scoring & selection

The NDA written exam carries 900 marks across two papers — Paper I Mathematics (120 questions, 300 marks) and Paper II General Ability Test (150 questions, 600 marks). Both papers use one-third negative marking. Candidates who clear the written cutoff face the SSB Interview (900 marks); final merit is out of 1800 marks, followed by a qualifying medical examination. The bands below are indicative — real cutoffs shift each cycle with vacancies and paper difficulty.

NDA & NA marks vs. rank

Score rangeStageWhat it takes
Strong Mathematics scorePaper I300-mark Maths paper is the biggest scoring lever
Broad General AbilityPaper IIEnglish + General Knowledge across 600 marks
Clear the written cutoffWrittenReach the SSB Interview stage of selection
SSB Interview: OLQsSSBOfficer-like qualities over about five days (900 marks)
Medical: fit categoryMedicalQualifying — meet the Armed Forces fitness standards

Indicative stage requirements

Written (Paper I + Paper II)Decisive

Indicative marks: Clear the aggregate written cutoff set by UPSC

SSB Interview900 marks

Indicative marks: Psychological tests, group tasks and interview over ~5 days

Medical examinationQualifying

Indicative marks: Meet vision, height and fitness standards of the Armed Forces

Wing allotmentMerit-based

Indicative marks: Army, Navy or Air Force by merit, choice and vacancies

Final meritOut of 1800

Indicative marks: Written 900 + SSB 900, subject to the medical board

The NDA & NA pattern here — the two-paper 900-mark written exam (Paper I Mathematics 300 marks and Paper II General Ability Test 600 marks), one-third negative marking, and the SSB Interview and medical stages — reflects UPSC's recent published scheme. Exact vacancies, cutoffs, dates, age limits and physical and medical standards change with each notification; always confirm current specifics in the official UPSC notification at upsc.gov.in.

Academies and services in the NDA pathway

Candidates who clear the NDA & NA written exam and the SSB Interview join the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla (or the Indian Naval Academy for the 10+2 cadet entry), and after training are commissioned into the Army, Navy or Air Force through their respective pre-commission academies. The wing you enter depends on your merit, choices, medical category and vacancies — the outline below shows the training path, not fixed cutoffs.

AcademyWingCommissionEntry / wing
National Defence Academy, KhadakwaslaArmy / Navy / Air ForceTri-service cadet trainingFirst stage after selection
Indian Military Academy (IMA), DehradunArmy wingPermanent Commission — ArmyPost-NDA training
Indian Naval Academy (INA), EzhimalaNavy wingPermanent Commission — NavyPost-NDA / 10+2 cadet entry
Air Force Academy (AFA), DundigalAir Force wingPermanent Commission — Air ForcePost-NDA flying training
Indian ArmyLand forcesCommissioned officerMerit, choice & vacancies
Indian NavyNaval forcesCommissioned officerMerit, choice & vacancies
Indian Air ForceAir forcesCommissioned officerMerit, choice & medical category
10+2 Naval Academy entryIndian Naval AcademyCadet Entry SchemePhysics & Maths at 10+2 required

A representative set of institutes that admit through NDA & NA. Many more academys participate in the counselling process.

NDA & NA important dates

The typical NDA & NA timeline, from notification to counselling. Dates are tentative until the official notification is released.

  1. NDA I notification & apply

    Usually around December

  2. NDA I written exam

    Typically April

  3. NDA II notification & apply

    Usually around May–June

  4. NDA II written exam

    Typically September

  5. SSB Interview

    A few months after each written result

  6. Medical & final merit

    After the SSB, before the course begins

NDA & NA — frequently asked questions

Quick, reliable answers to the questions NDA & NA aspirants ask most.

What is the NDA & NA selection process?

Three stages: a written examination of 900 marks (Paper I Mathematics and Paper II General Ability Test), the SSB Interview of 900 marks held over about five days, and a qualifying medical examination. Final merit is out of 1800 marks.

What is the NDA exam pattern?

Two papers of 2.5 hours each. Paper I, Mathematics, has 120 questions for 300 marks. Paper II, the General Ability Test, has 150 questions for 600 marks, split into English (200 marks) and General Knowledge (400 marks covering Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography and current events). The paper is set at the 10+2 level.

Is there negative marking in NDA?

Yes. Both papers use one-third negative marking: in Maths a correct answer earns 2.5 marks and a wrong one loses about 0.83, while in the General Ability Test a correct answer earns 4 marks and a wrong one loses about 1.33. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.

Who is eligible for the NDA exam?

Unmarried candidates who have passed or are appearing in 10+2, generally aged between 16.5 and 19.5 years. Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 are required for the Air Force, Navy and the 10+2 Naval Academy entry. Candidates must also meet the physical and medical standards.

How many times is the NDA exam held?

The UPSC conducts it twice a year — NDA I and NDA II — so a candidate has two chances in a year within the age window. The written exam leads to admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA and to the Indian Naval Academy.

How should I use these mock tests?

Take full-length timed mocks to build speed and section balance under the real marking, and review the worked solution for every question. Use the topic tests to drill Mathematics, English, Physics and Chemistry, and History, Geography and current events until each becomes a reliable source of marks.

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Devaseelan

Devaseelan

Cleared NEET