NDA-NA Exam Analysis 2010-2024
The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy (NA) Examination, conducted by UPSC, is one of the most sought-after exams for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces. This article comprehensively analyzes the NDA-NA exams from 2010 to 2024, helping aspirants understand trends in question patterns, difficulty levels, and good attempts.
UPSC NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2024 – Difficulty Level
The difficulty level of the exam varies across subjects and depends on the candidate’s preparation. Below is a summary of the difficulty level and number of good attempts for each subject:
| Subject |
Good Attempts |
Difficulty Level |
| Mathematics |
72-88 |
Easy to Moderate |
| GAT |
79-90 |
Easy to Moderate |
UPSC NDA 2 Exam Analysis for Mathematics
The topic-wise distribution of questions in Mathematics is as follows:
| Name of Topics |
Number of Questions Asked |
| Integration & its application |
5 |
| Quadratic equation and cube roots |
6 |
| 3D Geometry |
5 |
| Inequality and Logarithms |
1 |
| Vector |
6 |
| Matrices and Determinants |
9 |
| Binary |
2 |
| Binomial theorem |
3 |
| Circle |
3 |
| Probability |
3 |
| Sets, Relations, and Functions |
7 |
| Height & Distance |
2 |
| Trigonometry |
3 |
| Differentiation & its application |
8 |
| Permutation and combination |
7 |
| Differential Equation |
4 |
| Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability |
4 |
| Static & DI |
6 |
| Complex number |
2 |
| Conic Section |
3 |
| Sequence & Series |
4 |
| Lines & Angle |
4 |
UPSC NDA 2 Exam Analysis for GAT Paper
The GAT paper consists of questions from various subjects like Polity, History, Economics, and Biology. Below is the distribution of questions:
| Name of Subject |
Number of Questions Asked |
| Current Affairs |
10 |
| English |
50 |
| Geography |
19 |
| Static GK |
3 |
| Polity |
3 |
| Biology |
11 |
| Physics |
21 |
| Chemistry |
18 |
| History |
13 |
| Economy |
2 |
UPSC NDA Exam Analysis 2024 – Overall Difficulty Level
The overall difficulty level of the UPSC NDA 2 exam is moderate. The section-wise difficulty levels are:
| Paper |
Difficulty Level |
| Mathematics |
Moderate |
| General Ability |
Moderate to Difficult |
UPSC NDA 2 Good Attempts
| Subjects |
Good Attempts Range |
| Mathematics |
50-55 |
| General Ability |
110-115 |
NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2023 – Overview
The good attempts and difficulty level for NDA 2 2023 are as follows:
| Subject |
Good Attempt |
Difficulty Level |
| Mathematics |
45-55 |
Moderate |
| GAT |
105-115 |
Moderate |
NDA 1 Exam Analysis 2023 for GAT
The GAT paper included questions from various topics. Below is the topic-wise distribution:
| Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
| English |
50 |
Moderate |
| History |
16 |
Moderate |
| Geography |
19 |
Moderate |
| Polity |
1 |
Easy |
| Current Affairs |
10 |
Moderate |
| Physics |
25 |
Difficult |
| Chemistry |
16 |
Moderate |
| Biology |
10 |
Moderate |
NDA 1 Exam Analysis 2023 – Overview
The details regarding the difficulty level and number of good attempts are out for the Mathematics as well as GAT paper. The good attempts and difficulty level are as follows:
| Subject |
Good Attempt |
Difficulty Level |
| Mathematics |
95-105 |
Moderate |
| General Ability Test |
125-130 |
Easy to Moderate |
NDA 1 Exam Analysis 2023 for GAT
Current Affairs questions were related to Government Policies and Schemes and defence Acquisitions and Deals. Below is the topic-wise distribution of questions in the GAT paper.
| Topic |
Total Questions |
Difficulty Level |
| English |
50 |
Normal |
| History |
16 |
Normal |
| Polity |
1 |
Easy |
| Geography |
19 |
Normal |
| Current Affairs |
10 |
Normal |
| Static GK |
2 |
Easy |
| Physics |
25 |
Hard |
| Chemistry |
16 |
Normal |
| Biology |
10 |
Normal |
| Spotting Errors |
10 |
Normal |
| Idioms & Phrases |
10 |
Normal |
| Ordering of words in a sentence |
10 |
Normal |
| Synonyms |
10 |
Normal |
| Antonyms |
10 |
Normal |
NDA 1 Exam Analysis 2023 for Maths
The topic-wise distribution of questions in Maths is given below.
| Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty Level |
| Trigonometry |
9 |
Easy |
| Height & Distance |
2 |
Easy |
| Sequence & Series |
8 |
Moderate |
| Complex Number |
5 |
Difficult |
| Inequalities & Logarithms |
1 |
Easy |
| Permutation & Combination |
7 |
Easy |
| Quadratic equation & cube root |
4 |
Easy |
| Binomial Theorem |
3 |
Moderate |
| Matrices & Determinants |
7 |
Easy |
| Probability |
7 |
Moderate |
| Binary |
1 |
Easy |
| Set Relations & Functions |
7 |
Easy |
| Limits Continuity and Differentiability |
6 |
Moderate |
| Differentiation |
6 |
Difficult |
| Integration |
9 |
Easy |
| Differential equation |
6 |
Easy |
| Vector |
6 |
Difficult |
| Conic Section |
2 |
Difficult |
| Lines & Angles |
7 |
Moderate |
| 3D Geo |
4 |
Difficult |
| Circle |
2 |
Easy |
| Static & DI |
11 |
Moderate |
NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2022 for GAT
Current Affairs carried questions related to Govt Policies and Schemes, Defence Acquisitions and Deals. Below is the topic-wise distribution of questions in the GAT paper.
| Topic |
No. of Questions |
| English |
50 |
| History |
12 |
| Geography |
15 |
| Polity |
9 |
| Current Affairs |
13 |
| Physics |
22 |
| Chemistry |
16 |
| Biology |
12 |
NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2022 for Maths
The topic-wise distribution of questions in Maths is given below.
| Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty |
| Trigonometry |
14 |
Easy |
| Height & Distance |
2 |
Easy |
| Sequence & Series |
5 |
Moderate |
| Complex Number |
2 |
Easy |
| Logarithms |
1 |
Easy |
| Permutation & Combination |
8 |
Moderate |
| Quadratic equation & cube root |
6 |
Easy |
| Binomial Theorem |
3 |
Moderate |
| Matrices & Determinants |
10 |
Easy |
| Probability |
8 |
Moderate |
| Binary |
2 |
Easy |
| Set Relations & Functions |
8 |
Easy |
| Limits Continuity and Differentiability |
4 |
Moderate |
| Differentiation |
9 |
Easy |
| Integration |
5 |
Moderate |
| Differential equation |
4 |
Moderate |
| Vector |
5 |
Moderate |
| Conic Section |
3 |
Easy |
| Lines |
4 |
Easy |
| 3D |
6 |
Moderate |
| Miscellaneous |
11 |
Easy |
NDA 1 2022 Mathematics Paper Analysis
The Mathematics paper was of Moderate difficulty. A total of 65-70 questions shall be a good attempt. The questions were asked on the following topics:
| Topics |
No. of Questions |
| Trigonometry |
14 |
| Height & Distance |
2 |
| Sequence & Series |
5 |
| Complex Numbers |
2 |
| Inequality & Logs |
1 |
| Permutation & Combination |
8 |
| Quadratic Equation |
6 |
| Binomial Theorem |
3 |
| Matrices & Determinants |
10 |
| Probability |
8 |
| Binary |
2 |
| Set Relations & Functions |
8 |
| Limits, Continuity & Differentiability |
4 |
| Differentiation |
9 |
| Integration |
5 |
| Differential Equation |
4 |
| Vectors |
5 |
| Conic Section |
3 |
| Lines |
4 |
| 3D Geometry |
6 |
| Static |
11 |
| Total |
120 |
NDA 1 GAT Exam Analysis 2022
The GAT paper has been concluded. The overall difficulty of this paper was Easy to Moderate. The topic-wise distribution of questions is as follows:
| Topics |
No. of Questions |
| English – Spotting Errors |
10 |
| Idioms & Phrases |
10 |
| Ordering of Words |
10 |
| Synonyms |
10 |
| Antonyms |
10 |
| History |
12 |
| Geography |
15 |
| India Polity |
9 |
| Physics |
22 |
| Chemistry |
16 |
| Biology |
12 |
| Current Affairs |
14 |
| Total |
150 |
NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2022 for GAT
Current Affairs carried questions related to Govt Policies and Schemes, Defence Acquisitions and Deals. Below are the topic-wise distribution of questions in the GAT paper.
| Topic |
No. of Questions |
| English |
50 |
| History |
12 |
| Geography |
15 |
| Polity |
9 |
| Current Affairs |
13 |
| Physics |
22 |
| Chemistry |
16 |
| Biology |
12 |
NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2022 for Maths
The topic-wise distribution of questions in Maths is given below.
| Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty |
| Trigonometry |
14 |
Easy |
| Height & Distance |
2 |
Easy |
| Sequence & Series |
5 |
Moderate |
| Complex Number |
2 |
Easy |
| Logarithms |
1 |
Easy |
| Permutation & Combination |
8 |
Moderate |
| Quadratic equation & cube root |
6 |
Easy |
| Binomial Theorem |
3 |
Moderate |
| Matrices & Determinants |
10 |
Easy |
| Probability |
8 |
Moderate |
| Binary |
2 |
Easy |
| Set Relations & Functions |
8 |
Easy |
| Limits Continuity and Differentiability |
4 |
Moderate |
| Differentiation |
9 |
Easy |
| Integration |
5 |
Moderate |
| Differential equation |
4 |
Moderate |
| Vector |
5 |
Moderate |
| Conic Section |
3 |
Easy |
| Lines |
4 |
Easy |
| 3D |
6 |
Moderate |
| Miscellaneous |
11 |
Easy |
NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2021 – Overview
The details regarding the difficulty level and number of good attempts are out for the Mathematics as well as GAT paper.
| Subject |
Good Attempt |
Difficulty Level |
| Mathematics |
58 – 66 |
Moderate |
| General Ability Test |
105-112 |
Moderate |
NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2021 – Mathematics
| Topics |
No. of Questions |
| Matrices & Determinants |
8 to 10 |
| Trigonometry |
20 |
| Analytical Geometry |
20 |
| Differentiation |
15 |
| Integration |
10 |
| Statistics |
10 to 12 |
| Vectors |
5 to 7 |
| Misc/Algebra |
20 to 25 |
NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2021 – GAT Paper
| Topics |
No. of Questions |
| English |
50 |
| Geography |
10 to 12 |
| Current Affairs |
5 to 8 |
| Static GK |
4 to 5 |
| Biology |
10 |
| Chemistry |
15 |
| Physics |
18 to 21 |
| Indian Polity |
9 |
| Economy |
8 |
| History |
10 to 13 |
NDA Exam Analysis 2021 – Mathematics
| Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty |
| Sets, Relations, and functions |
6 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Complex Number |
5 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Quadratic Equations |
4 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Permutations and Combinations |
3 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Binomial Theorem |
4 |
Moderate |
| Sequences and Series |
8 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Statistics |
10 |
Easy to Moderate |
| Probability |
5 |
Moderate |
NDA Exam Analysis 2021 – General Ability Test [GAT]
| Topic |
No. of Questions |
Difficulty |
| English |
50 |
Moderate |
| History |
15 |
Moderate |
| Geography |
18 |
Moderate |
| Polity |
4 |
Moderate |
| Current Affairs |
5 |
Moderate |
| Economics |
1 |
Easy – Moderate |
| Physics |
22 |
Easy – Moderate |
| Chemistry |
17 |
Moderate |
| Biology |
11 |
Moderate |
NDA Exam Analysis 2021 – Physics
The details regarding the number of questions and topics are listed for Physics in the table below.
| Topic |
No. of questions |
Difficulty |
| Optics |
8 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Units, Dimensions, and Measurements |
1 |
Easy |
| Fluids |
1 |
Easy |
| Dual Nature, Atom and Nuclei |
2 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Semiconductor |
1 |
Easy |
| Laws of Motion |
1 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Thermal Properties of Matter |
2 |
Easy |
| Wave and Oscillations |
4 |
Easy-Moderate |
| Electric Charges and Coulomb’s Law |
1 |
Easy |
| Current, Resistance and Electricity |
1 |
Easy |
NDA Exam Analysis 2021 – English
The details regarding the difficulty level and the number of questions for English are mentioned in the table below.
| Topic |
No. of questions |
Difficulty |
| Fill in the Blanks |
10 |
Moderate |
| Spotting of Errors |
10 |
Moderate |
| Idioms & Phrases |
10 |
Moderate |
| Synonyms |
10 |
Moderate |
| Antonyms |
10 |
Moderate |
NDA Trend Analysis of Question Papers
The following is a trend analysis of NDA question papers from 2013, 2014, and 2015.
| Topics |
2013(I) |
2013 (II) |
2014 (I) |
2014 (II) |
2015 (I) |
2015 (II) |
| Spotting Errors |
10 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
15 |
9 |
| Synonyms |
10 |
10 |
Nil |
10 |
4 |
5 |
| Antonyms |
10 |
10 |
4 |
10 |
4 |
5 |
| Selecting words & fill-ups |
Nil |
10 |
4 |
10 |
Nil |
15 |
| Comprehension Passage |
Nil |
4 |
7 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
| Rearrangement of Sentences |
Nil |
6 |
Nil |
Nil |
6 |
6 |
| Cloze Comprehension |
20 |
Nil |
12 |
Nil |
6 |
Nil |
| Sentence Improvement |
Nil |
Nil |
12 |
10 |
15 |
10 |
Trend Analysis of Mathematics Paper
| Topics |
2012 (II) |
2012 (I) |
2011 (II) |
2011 (I) |
2010 (II) |
2010 (I) |
| Sets, Relations & Function |
6 |
9 |
2 |
11 |
7 |
8 |
| PNC |
2 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
| Binomial Theorem |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
| Logarithm |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Matrix, Determinants |
8 |
11 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
| Binary Numbers |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Sequence, Series |
4 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
| Probability |
10 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
8 |
| Statistics |
12 |
6 |
20 |
7 |
10 |
4 |
| 3D |
7 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
7 |
| 2D |
10 |
6 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
5 |
| Circle |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Trend Analysis of General Knowledge Question Papers
| Topics |
2012 (II) |
2012 (I) |
2011 (II) |
2011 (I) |
2010 (II) |
2010 (I) |
| World Physical |
21 |
19 |
19 |
22 |
18 |
21 |
| Human (Tribe) |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Timing |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Agro-geography |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Prehistoric |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
NDA Exam Pattern
The candidates will be attending two papers which are the Mathematics and General Ability Test. The mathematics paper will be conducted for 300 marks whereas the General Ability Test will be conducted for 600 marks. The time duration for both the papers will be 150 minutes or 2 1/2 hours.
| Papers |
Subject |
Questions |
Maximum marks |
Duration |
| Paper 1 |
Mathematics |
120 |
300 |
150 minutes |
| Paper 2 |
General Ability Test |
150 |
600 |
150 minutes |
- The exam is conducted for 900 marks.
- The exam consists of 2 papers.
- The duration of each paper is 150 minutes.
Preparation Strategy Based on Analysis
1. Mathematics Preparation
- Focus on Trigonometry, Calculus, and Algebra as they frequently appear in the exam.
- Solve previous years’ papers and time yourself for speed and accuracy.
- Strengthen problem-solving abilities for higher-weightage topics like Matrices & Determinants, Vector Algebra, and Probability.
2. English Preparation
- Work on vocabulary, grammar rules, and comprehension exercises.
- Read newspapers and editorials to enhance reading and contextual understanding.
- Solve mock tests and previous years’ papers to identify weak areas.
3. General Knowledge Preparation
- Physics and Current Affairs have been dominant in recent exams.
- Focus on NCERT books for History, Geography, and Science to build conceptual clarity.
- Keep up with daily news, defense-related updates, and government policies.
The NDA-NA examination is known for its moderate to difficult level, with Mathematics and GAT being crucial sections. By analyzing past trends, focusing on high-weightage topics, and maintaining a structured study plan, aspirants can improve their chances of clearing the cutoff and securing a place in the National Defence Academy.
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