Every year, lakhs of aspirants across India appear for the NDA (National Defence Academy) exam with the dream of serving in the armed forces. But the reality is stark—less than 1% make it to the final merit list. The competition is intense, the syllabus is vast, and the pressure is real. Most candidates struggle not because they lack capability, but because they don’t follow the right strategy.
At Nation Defence Academy (NDA Coaching in Delhi), we’ve seen students who are good in studies but still fail to crack NDA. Why? Because they rely solely on textbooks, ignore time management, and never attempt proper mock tests. Many fail the SSB interview simply because they never practiced real-time responses or worked on their personality traits.
Let’s break the myth: clearing NDA is not about studying 12 hours a day. It's about smart preparation, mock practice, and focused mentoring.
Based on our coaching experience and success stories, here’s a realistic step-by-step guide to crack NDA, backed by practical tips we use at Nation Defence Academy.
1. Understand the NDA Exam Structure
NDA selection happens in two phases:
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Written Exam (conducted by UPSC):
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Mathematics (300 Marks)
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General Ability Test - GAT (600 Marks)
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Negative marking: 0.33 for every wrong answer
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Cut-off (based on 2023 data): 360–370 marks out of 900
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SSB Interview (900 Marks)
To clear written, aim for at least 50% marks, with special focus on Maths and English.
2. Build a Balanced Timetable
In our NDA coaching batch, successful students followed a daily 6-hour study plan:
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2 hours Maths
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2 hours GAT (Science, History, Geography, Polity)
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1 hour English + Vocabulary
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1 hour Mock Test/Revision
Studying in blocks and taking 10-minute breaks improves memory and retention.
3. Master NCERT Books First
From experience, 70% of NDA GAT questions come from NCERT Class 9 to 12, especially in:
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Physics (10th & 11th)
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Geography (11th)
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History (Modern India – 12th)
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Polity (11th – Indian Constitution)
At our academy, we cover all these books before switching to any advanced material.
4. Mock Tests
We’ve observed that students who took 20+ mock tests scored 20–30% higher in the final exam.
Mock tests help in:
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Time management
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Understanding UPSC pattern
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Reducing exam-day anxiety
Our weekly tests simulate real UPSC conditions with timer and OMR sheets.
5. Start SSB Preparation Early
SSB isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about personality, confidence, and response under pressure.
Our SSB mentors (ex-GTO officers) focus on:
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Personal Interview (PIQ form analysis)
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Group Discussion
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Psychological Tests (TAT, WAT, SRT)
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GTO Tasks & Obstacle training
We’ve had students who cleared SSB in their first attempt, just by practicing real interview scenarios.
Cracking NDA is possible—with a smart plan, right mentorship, and real dedication. At Nation Defence Academy, Delhi’s top NDA coaching centre, we’ve trained 2000+ candidates with over 76% written success rate and 60% SSB selections.
Join our result-driven NDA batch and take your first step towards a proud career in uniform.
📞 Call us today at 06239331662, 06284904938 or visit our Our Academy for a free counselling session.
