NDA Time Table for 2025 Exam Preparation
NDA Time Table for 2025 Exam Preparation: The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam is a gateway for young aspirants who wish to serve the nation by joining the Indian Armed Forces. Conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the exam selects eligible candidates for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Indian Naval Academy. It is one of the most respected and competitive exams in the country, offering a direct path to a career in defence services after Class 12.
The NDA 1 2025 exam has already been held earlier this year. Now, the focus has shifted to NDA 2 2025, which will be conducted on September 14, 2025. As per the official notification released on May 28, 2025, the last date to apply is June 17, 2025. A total of 406 vacancies are available across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings, as well as the Indian Naval Academy Courses. This is a great opportunity for dedicated and patriotic youth to take the first step towards becoming commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Check out the NDA Time Table for 2025 Exam Preparation from the article below.
Check Out: NDA/Defence Books
NDA Exam 2025
NDA exam is conducted twice a year and offers one of the earliest and most prestigious opportunities to join the Indian Armed Forces after Class 12. It involves a written exam followed by an SSB interview and medical examination. Aspirants must meet the eligibility criteria and apply within the specified dates to appear for the exam. Go through the NDA 2025 overview below:-
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Exam Name |
NDA (National Defence Academy) 2025 |
|
Conducting Body |
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|
Frequency |
Twice a year (NDA 1 & NDA 2) |
|
NDA 2 2025 Notification |
May 28, 2025 |
|
NDA 2 2025 Application Last Date |
June 17, 2025 |
|
NDA 2 2025 Exam Date |
September 14, 2025 |
|
Mode of Exam |
Offline (Pen and Paper-based) |
|
Duration |
5 hours (2.5 hours per paper) |
|
Total Vacancies |
406 |
|
Selection Process |
Written Test + SSB Interview + Medical |
|
Eligibility |
Unmarried male & female candidates (12th pass or appearing) |
NDA 2025 Exam Pattern
Since the NDA exam is highly competitive, candidates must start early and focus on strengthening their fundamentals, especially in Mathematics and General Ability. Alongside academic preparation, developing strong reasoning skills, time management, and physical fitness is equally important.
To crack the written exam and succeed in the SSB interview, aspirants must solve previous year question papers, take regular mock tests, and stay updated on current affairs. Check out the NDA Exam Pattern 2025 here:-
|
Paper |
Subject |
Duration |
Maximum Marks |
|
Paper I |
Mathematics |
2.5 Hours |
300 Marks |
|
Paper II |
General Ability Test (GAT) |
2.5 Hours |
600 Marks |
|
SSB Interview |
Intelligence & Personality Test |
Varies |
900 Marks |
|
Total |
1800 Marks |
Check Out: UPSC NDA/NA 10 Previous Year Solved Papers (PYQs) 2019-2025
NDA Time Table for 2025 Exam Preparation
To stay consistent and cover the syllabus of the NDA exam effectively, candidates should follow a disciplined daily schedule. The following time table is designed to balance academic preparation, revision, and physical fitness.
However, you may customise the schedule as per your preference, but make sure to follow it consistently and with discipline:-
|
Time |
Activity |
|
5:30 AM – 6:00 AM |
Wake up and light physical exercise (helps improve discipline and fitness) |
|
6:00 AM – 6:30 AM |
Current Affairs Reading (newspaper or monthly magazine) |
|
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM |
Mathematics Practice (focus on weak areas, solve NCERT and NDA-level questions) |
|
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
Breakfast + Short Break |
|
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
English Grammar & Vocabulary (reading comprehension, spotting errors, synonyms/antonyms) |
|
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) (use NCERTs Class 9 & 10) |
|
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
Lunch + Rest |
|
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM |
History/Geography/Polity (focus on NCERT + previous year questions) |
|
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
Mock Test / PYQ Practice (alternate between GAT and Maths) |
|
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Tea break + outdoor walk / physical training |
|
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
Revision Time (revise what was studied earlier that day) |
|
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM |
Logical Reasoning + Mental Ability |
|
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM |
Dinner + Light Reading (biographies/military books/general awareness) |
|
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
Quick revision of formulas and vocab + prepare for next day |
|
22:00 |
Sleep (7 hours of rest is essential) |
NDA 2025 Important Topics
To prepare effectively for the NDA 2025 exam, it’s important to focus on high-weightage and frequently asked topics. Understanding what to prioritise will not only save time but also help you score better in both Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT) sections. Below is a subject-wise list of important topics that should be part of your daily study and revision plan.
|
Subject |
Important Topics |
|
Mathematics |
Algebra, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Statistics & Probability, Vector Algebra |
|
English |
Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Synonyms & Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases, Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks |
|
Physics |
Motion, Work & Energy, Sound, Heat, Light, Electricity & Magnetism, Modern Physics |
|
Chemistry |
Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Atomic Structure, Chemical Reactions, Acids & Bases, Carbon Compounds, Periodic Table |
|
Biology |
Human Body, Nutrition, Diseases, Cell Structure, Plant & Animal Kingdom |
|
History |
Indian Freedom Movement, Ancient and Medieval India, Constitution & Governance |
|
Geography |
Earth Structure, Climate, Indian & World Geography, Rivers, Soil, Natural Resources |
|
Polity & Economy |
Fundamental Rights, Indian Constitution, Government Structure, Basic Economic Terms |
|
Current Affairs |
National & International Events, Defence Exercises, Awards, Sports, Government Schemes |
Check Out: NDA Mock Test + PYQs
NDA 2025 Preparation Tips
Preparing for the NDA 2025 exam requires dedication, the right strategy, and a well-structured routine. Whether you’re just starting or already familiar with the syllabus, this guide will help you learn how to prepare for NDA exam:-
1. Understand the NDA 2025 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
Before making a timetable for NDA preparation, it’s important to understand how the exam works. Since GAT carries more marks, balancing both papers in your NDA study plan is necessary. The NDA written exam has two papers:
-
Mathematics: 300 Marks (120 Questions)
-
General Ability Test (GAT): 600 Marks (150 Questions)
-
Total: 900 Marks
-
Duration: Each paper is 2.5 hours
-
Negative Marking: 0.33 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
2. Build Your Basics First: NCERT is the Key
The first step to how to crack NDA is mastering your basics. Start with NCERT books of Class 9 to 12, especially for Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, and Polity. These books help you understand concepts clearly.
Focus on topics like algebra, trigonometry, and vectors in Maths, and motion, sound, electricity, and light in Physics. Once your basics are strong, move on to tougher NDA-level questions.
3. Follow a Weekly Study Plan (NDA Time Table)
Having a clear NDA timetable helps you stay on track. Following this weekly NDA study plan will help you to finish the syllabus on time and revise properly.
|
Week |
Focus Areas |
|
Week 1–2 |
NCERT Class 9 & 10 Maths + Science basics |
|
Week 3–4 |
Start GAT topics, English, History, Geography |
|
Week 5–6 |
Focus on Class 11–12 level Maths + Physics |
|
Week 7–8 |
Current affairs, Polity, mock tests, vocabulary |
|
Week 9–10 |
Complete syllabus once, solve full-length tests |
|
Final Week |
Quick revision + light study + SSB awareness |
4. Stick to a Daily Time Table for NDA Preparation
Creating and following a daily timetable for NDA preparation is essential. Try to study at least 6–8 hours a day. Divide your day into:
-
2 hours for Maths
-
2 hours for GAT subjects
-
1 hour for current affairs & vocabulary
-
1 hour for mock test practice
-
Time for revision and physical fitness
5. Solve Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs)
Once your basics are covered, the next effective step in NDA preparation is solving NDA previous year question papers. This gives you a real idea of the question types and difficulty level.
Try to solve at least 2 PYQs per week starting from the 5th week of your study plan. Analyse your mistakes and improve. You’ll also get better at time management during the actual exam.
6. Take Regular Mock Tests and Track Progress
Mock tests are very important in your NDA study plan. Once you have covered around 70–80% of the syllabus, start taking full-length mock tests every 2–3 days.
-
Use OMR sheets to practice.
-
Stick to the 2.5-hour time limit for each paper.
-
After each test, check your score and focus on weak areas.
-
Mock tests will build your confidence and improve your exam speed.
7. Stay Updated with Current Affairs Daily
The GAT paper includes current affairs, so read newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express daily for 30 minutes. Make short notes on:
-
Defence news
-
International events
-
Awards
-
Sports
-
Government schemes
8. Prepare for SSB Interview Alongside Written Exam
Many students ignore the SSB interview while focusing on the written exam, but both are equally important. After completing 70% of your syllabus, start preparing for SSB by:
-
Improving communication skills
-
Practising group discussions
-
Reading about Armed Forces ranks, roles, and life
-
Also, maintain physical fitness with light running, push-ups, sit-ups, and yoga.
Also Read, 5 Days SSB Interview Procedure
NDA Time Table FAQs
1. What is the NDA exam?
The NDA (National Defence Academy) exam is a national-level entrance test conducted by UPSC to recruit candidates into the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force as officers after Class 12.
2. What is the exam pattern of NDA 2025?
There are two papers in the written exam:
-
Mathematics: 120 questions, 300 marks
-
General Ability Test (GAT): 150 questions, 600 marks
-
Total marks: 900. Each paper is 2.5 hours long. There is negative marking for wrong answers.
3. When will the NDA 2 2025 exam be held?
The NDA 2 2025 exam will be held on September 14, 2025. The application window closes on June 17, 2025.
4. How many hours should I study daily to crack NDA?
Ideally, study for 6–8 hours daily with proper breaks. Follow a regular NDA time table that includes subject-wise study, revision, and physical fitness.
5. Is coaching necessary for NDA exam preparation?
No, coaching is not mandatory. With the right NDA study plan, books, and regular mock tests, you can crack the exam through self-study.





