
How To Prepare For NDA 2 2025 Exam: The National Defence Academy (NDA 2) is a prestigious defence exam conducted by the UPSC twice a year. The NDA 2 Exam Date has been declared online. The paper has been scheduled for 14th September 2025. Students who want to join the defence forces in India after the 12th can apply for the NDA exam. Qualifying for any competitive exam like the NDA 2 demands consistency and time management. Candidates should be regular with solving questions and revising topics. The questions are asked from the General Ability Test (GAT) and Mathematics in the paper. A total of 270 questions asked in the NDA paper from the GAT and Maths sections. Tackling negative marking in NDA and getting accurate attempts in the paper is tough, but not impossible. Consistent practice and an attempt strategy can help candidates to secure target marks in the paper.
NDA Aspirants can have a quick look at the exam-related information compiled in the table format below. Analyse the details properly before starting with NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam scheduled to be held on 14th September 2025.
| NDA 2 Exam 2025 Overview | |
| Exam Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, 2025 |
| NDA 2 Exam Date | 14th September 2025 |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| NDA Subjects | Mathematics and General Ability Test |
| Maximum Marks | 900 |
| Total Questions |
Maths: 120 Questions GAT: 150 Questions |
| Negative Marking |
Maths: 0.83 Mark General Ability Test: 1.33 mark |
| Correct Answer Marking |
Maths: 2.5 Marks General Ability Test: 4 Marks |
| Exam Duration | 2 ½ hours for each paper |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
NDA Exam Previous Year Cut Off Trends are provided for NDA 1 and NDA 2. Candidates can get the last 5 years' cut off marks compiled in the table format for the NDA exam. It gives an idea on the exam difficulty level and competition in NDA.
|
NDA Last 5 Years Cut Off Trends |
||
|
Year |
NDA 1 Cut Off |
NDA 2 Cut Off |
|
2024 |
291 |
305 |
|
2023 |
301 |
292 |
|
2022 |
360 |
355 |
|
2021 |
343 |
355 |
|
2020 |
355 |
355 |
NDA 2 Exam covers two sections, i.e. General Ability Test and Maths section. Candidates know that a total of 270 questions are asked in the two papers. The question format is multiple-choice questions. Don’t miss the negative marking element in NDA. 0.83 negative marking is in Maths, and 1.33 negative marking for wrong attempts in GAT. Candidates should ensure to improve the process to attempt questions so as not to lose marks due to negative marking.
GAT (General Ability Test) Paper covers 150 questions in asked exam. Questions asked in English, Current Affairs, Science, History, and Geography sections. Students should map a strategy that can help cover all sections and solve questions before the exam.
Start following the current affairs topic of the last 6 to 8 months.
English-related concepts cover grammar and comprehension questions.
Make handwritten notes covering important GAT topics for the exam.
Start solving topic-wise questions to get a better understanding. Then, move to sectional tests and mock tests.
Solve Previous Year Questions to know GAT high-weightage topics.
Learn vocabulary and its usage regularly.
Complex Maths problems can create unwanted pressure and anxiety in students. Maths fear is common. It’s time to say goodbye to unwanted stress and fear when you aim to scale the heights in the future. Preparing for NDA needs a brave and consistent approach.
Prepare a Maths study schedule.
Begin the Maths topic preparations in the morning with a fresh mind.
Write down all important formulas in a notebook for last-minute revision.
Work on building conceptual knowledge in Algebra, Determinants, Derivatives, Calculus, Statistics, and Probability.
Revise and learn the reason to use a particular concept and formula to solve questions.
Start with topic-wise questions in a week's time for revision.
Then, move to the sectional tests.
Learn short tricks to solve questions quickly.
Aspirants know the NDA 2 Exam 2025 has been scheduled to be held on 14th September in two shifts. Around 90 days left for the exam. Candidates focus on practice and revision. Here are some general tips provided to improve the strategy to prepare for the exam.
Make a Routine Schedule: Aspirants have almost 3 months to complete the preparation for NDA 2. Make a routine schedule to cover topics in the General Ability Test and Maths sections. Begin the day with a fresh mindset to solve complex problems in Maths. Then, take time to review notes and solve questions in the General Ability Test section.
Stick to Study Schedule: The most common mistake that any NDA aspirant commits is to frame a study schedule. However, they are unable to follow the NDA Study Schedule till the exam day. They miss out on the important concepts and practice questions in the preparation journey.
Make Attempts Strategy: Students should complete the revision within a month. Then, decide the topic-wise questions to prioritise in the exam time. GAT and Maths papers are organised in two separate shifts. Students have time with time to think smartly and solve questions.
Revise Notes: Regular NDA topics revision can help students to memorise all important topics before the exam. Revise all the important topics in GAT and Maths. It can be helpful to speed up the process of attempting questions in an exam.
Stay Calm: At times, candidates may feel pressure on the exam day. It can be due to the tricky questions asked in the NDA paper. Stay calm and focus on the strong areas of solving questions in GAT and Maths.
Prioritise Getting Accurate Attempts: Candidates should attempt NDA Mock Tests to get accurate attempts on the paper. Don’t focus on solving more questions in the NDA paper. The focus should be on getting an accurate number of attempts on the paper. Candidates don’t lose marks due to negative marking.
In the last months for the NDA Paper, candidates should give time to solving NDA Mock Tests and PYQs. It helps them to improve their attempt speed and accuracy to face the actual exam.
