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Preparation roadmap

NDA & NA Preparation Roadmap

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (NDA & NA) · Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

A structured 24-week preparation plan for UPSC NDA & NA aspirants covering Mathematics, General Ability Test (GAT), English, General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Science, History, Geography, previous year questions, mock tests, SSB preparation, physical fitness, revision, and final exam readiness. The written examination consists of Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT), followed by the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview for candidates who qualify the written stage.

UPSC12th Pass / AppearingBeginner to intermediate

Duration

24 weeks

Study load

16-20 hours per week

Subjects

3

Free resources

5

Study timeline

Foundation

Weeks 1-6

Build strong fundamentals in Mathematics, English, and General Knowledge.

  • Read the official NDA & NA syllabus and examination pattern.
  • Build Mathematics fundamentals from the school-level syllabus.
  • Start English grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and usage practice.
  • Cover basic Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, and Polity.
  • Begin daily Current Affairs preparation.
  • Start solving NDA previous year questions topic-wise.
  • Begin basic OIR and PPDT preparation for SSB.
  • Start regular running, strength, mobility, and endurance training.
  • Maintain separate notebooks for Mathematics formulas, English vocabulary, GK, Current Affairs, and mistakes.

Core Practice

Weeks 7-12

Convert concepts into exam-level problem-solving ability.

  • Practise Mathematics daily with emphasis on algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and arithmetic.
  • Solve English grammar and comprehension questions regularly.
  • Complete major General Science topics.
  • Cover Indian History, Geography, Polity, Economy, and Defence Awareness.
  • Revise Current Affairs weekly.
  • Solve NDA previous year questions topic-wise.
  • Attempt one sectional test for Mathematics and GAT every week.
  • Start timed mixed-question practice.
  • Continue OIR, PPDT, and physical fitness preparation.

Written Exam Build-up

Weeks 13-18

Improve speed, accuracy, and exam temperament.

  • Attempt one to two full-length NDA written mocks every week.
  • Practise Mathematics within the prescribed time limit.
  • Practise GAT under timed conditions.
  • Analyse every mock and maintain a topic-wise mistake tracker.
  • Solve previous year NDA papers under actual exam conditions.
  • Revise Mathematics formulas and shortcuts.
  • Increase Current Affairs and General Knowledge revision.
  • Practise OIR and PPDT regularly.
  • Continue physical conditioning alongside written preparation.

Final Revision and SSB Preparation

Weeks 19-24

Stabilize written-exam performance and build SSB readiness.

  • Attempt two to three full-length written mocks every week.
  • Revise Mathematics formulas and frequently repeated question types.
  • Revise English grammar and vocabulary.
  • Revise Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Polity, and Current Affairs.
  • Reattempt incorrect questions from mocks and PYQs.
  • Practise complete papers under actual time conditions.
  • Intensify OIR and PPDT preparation.
  • Practise story writing, narration, group discussion, and personal interview questions.
  • Build awareness of the Indian Armed Forces, defence exercises, commands, ranks, and current developments.
  • Maintain regular physical training and adequate recovery.

Weekly roadmap

Week 6

Complete Mathematics, English, Science, History, and Geography fundamentals.

Week 12

Finish first major syllabus coverage and begin regular sectional tests.

Week 18

Complete written-exam syllabus, PYQs, and regular full-length mock practice.

Week 21

Begin intensive final revision and SSB/OIR/PPDT preparation.

Week 24

Stabilize written mock performance and maintain SSB and physical readiness.

Subject-wise syllabus

Mathematics

7 hours/week
SetsVenn DiagramsRelations and FunctionsComplex NumbersBinary NumbersSequence and SeriesQuadratic EquationsPermutation and CombinationBinomial TheoremLogarithmsMatricesDeterminantsTrigonometryInverse Trigonometric FunctionsAnalytical GeometryStraight LinesCirclesParabolaEllipseHyperbolaDifferential CalculusIntegral CalculusDifferential EquationsVector AlgebraStatisticsProbabilityMeasures of Central TendencyDispersionBasic Arithmetic

English

3 hours/week
GrammarVocabularySentence StructureSynonymsAntonymsWord UsageSentence CompletionSpotting ErrorsSentence ImprovementOrdering of WordsOrdering of SentencesReading ComprehensionIdioms and PhrasesCloze TestFill in the BlanksParts of SpeechActive and Passive VoiceDirect and Indirect Speech

General Knowledge

5 hours/week
Current AffairsPhysicsChemistryGeneral ScienceIndian HistoryIndian National MovementGeographyIndian PolityIndian ConstitutionEconomyDefenceEnvironmentSportsAwards and HonoursImportant PersonalitiesImportant EventsCultureScientific DevelopmentsSpace and Technology

Free resources

UPSC Official Website

Website

Use for official NDA & NA notifications, syllabus, examination calendar, previous year question papers, results, and recruitment updates.

NCERT Textbooks

Study Material

Useful for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, and basic Social Science preparation.

Previous Year NDA Papers

Practice

Solve previous year papers topic-wise during preparation and as full papers during the mock-test phase.

Daily Current Affairs Notes

Notes

Maintain concise notes focused on national events, international affairs, defence, science, sports, awards, and important government developments.

Defence Awareness Resources

Study Material

Follow reliable official sources for defence exercises, commands, ranks, equipment, organisations, appointments, and major developments.

Mock test plan

  • Weeks 1-6: Topic-wise quizzes and PYQs.
  • Weeks 7-12: One sectional test for Mathematics and GAT every week.
  • Weeks 13-15: One full-length written mock every week.
  • Weeks 16-18: One to two full-length mocks every week.
  • Weeks 19-24: Two to three full-length mocks every week.
  • Practise Mathematics within the prescribed 2½-hour paper duration.
  • Practise GAT within the prescribed 2½-hour paper duration.
  • Analyse every mock before attempting the next one.
  • Maintain separate mistake trackers for Mathematics and GAT.
  • Reattempt incorrect PYQs and mock questions regularly.

Revision plan

  • Maintain one Mathematics formula and shortcut notebook.
  • Revise English grammar and vocabulary twice a week.
  • Maintain concise General Knowledge notes.
  • Revise Current Affairs weekly and monthly.
  • Revise Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Polity, and Economy.
  • Reattempt incorrect questions from previous year papers.
  • Maintain a separate Defence Awareness notebook.
  • Review the mock-test mistake tracker every week.
  • Keep separate SSB notes for OIR, PPDT, psychology, group tasks, and interview preparation.
  • Conduct a rapid revision of all major topics during the final week.

Tips

Start with the official UPSC NDA syllabus and previous year papers.
Give Mathematics daily practice because the syllabus is broad and requires strong fundamentals.
Do not neglect GAT; it carries twice the marks of Mathematics.
Build English vocabulary and grammar through consistent practice.
Use NCERTs to establish strong Science, History, Geography, and basic Mathematics foundations.
Solve previous year NDA papers to understand UPSC's question patterns.
Start SSB preparation before the written result instead of waiting for the shortlist.
Develop communication, teamwork, confidence, leadership, and decision-making skills naturally.
Maintain physical fitness throughout the preparation period.
Use the latest official UPSC NDA & NA notification and syllabus as the final source of truth.