UPSC NDA Previous Year Question Papers

UPSC NDA & NA Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions

The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy (NDA & NA) Examination, conducted twice a year by the Union Public Service Commission, is the entry route into the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA straight after Class 12. Solving UPSC NDA previous year papers is the best way for school-age aspirants to get comfortable with the exam's pace and question style.

On this page you will find a year wise, session wise collection of NDA Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) papers, each available as a free PDF download with step by step solutions and the official answer key.

Why UPSC NDA Previous Year Papers Matter

The NDA exam covers the full Class 11-12 Mathematics syllabus plus English and General Knowledge in the GAT paper, within a strict time limit. Candidates who practice several years of real papers build the speed and accuracy needed to attempt 120 Mathematics questions and 150 GAT questions inside the allotted time, and learn exactly which topics — trigonometry, algebra, geometry, current affairs and basic science — are repeated most often.

How to Use These Papers

Solve each paper as a full timed mock, check it against the official answer key, and track your accuracy separately for Mathematics and GAT. Because the SSB interview that follows the written exam evaluates officer-like qualities over several days, begin group discussion and physical fitness preparation alongside your written revision, not after it.

UPSC NDA Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Preparation Strategy

NDA selection has a written exam followed by the SSB interview and medical test.

Exam Pattern

Mathematics — 120 questions, 300 marks, 2.5 hours, covering algebra, trigonometry, coordinate and vector geometry, calculus, statistics and probability at the Class 11-12 level.

General Ability Test (GAT) — 600 marks, 2.5 hours, split between English (comprehension, grammar, vocabulary) and General Knowledge (physics, chemistry, general science, history, geography and current events).

SSB Interview — a five-day, two-stage process (Screening, then Psychological Tests, Group Testing Tasks and a Personal Interview) worth 900 marks, followed by a medical examination.

Eligibility

Unmarried candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class 12, aged between 16.5 and 19.5 years at the time of the course commencement (age criteria vary slightly for Army, Navy and Air Force wings).

Preparation Strategy

Since NDA is open to Class 12 students, start early: strengthen NCERT Mathematics from Class 9 to 12, read a daily newspaper for current affairs and General Knowledge, and build physical fitness (running, push-ups) from the start of your preparation, since it directly helps at the SSB stage.