UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) Free Mock Test
UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) (National Defence Academy) is part of India's Government Exams category, covering 3 topics. Kamiyab provides a free UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) Full Mock test — questions matched to the official exam pattern with real timing, instant scoring, and per-question explanations. Eligibility: Class 12 (Science). Aligned to the current 2026 official syllabus.
UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) mock is being built
We're working through the UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) previous-year papers to build a PYQ-grounded, expert-audited question bank. The syllabus, eligibility and exam pattern below stay accurate — the mock launches as soon as the bank clears audit. Live exams today: SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, and SSC MTS.
Topics covered
Topics are listed for reference. The mock launch unlocks once each topic's PYQ-grounded question bank is audited.
About UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination)
The National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Pune was established in 1954 as the world's first joint-services academy — a Tri-Services institution where Army, Navy and Air Force cadets train side by side for three years before splitting to their service-specific pre-commissioning academies. The Academy traces back to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's vision of an integrated defence officer cadre, a vision crystallised after India's gratitude grant from the Sudan government for the 4th Indian Division's role in the East Africa Campaign — those funds built the iconic Sudan Block that today serves as the Academy's administrative headquarters. The NDA & NA Examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to select Class 12 candidates into NDA Khadakwasla (Army/Navy/Air Force cadets) and into the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala under the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme.
The training pipeline runs end-to-end as follows: 3 years at NDA Khadakwasla (joint training in academics, drill, PT, outdoor and service-specific subjects), followed by 1 year of specialised pre-commissioning training — Army cadets proceed to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun, Navy cadets to the Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala, and Air Force cadets to the Air Force Academy (AFA) Dundigal. NDA cadets receive a Bachelor's degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University (BSc / BSc Computer Science / BA, depending on stream) during their three years at Khadakwasla, and are commissioned at roughly age 22 as Lieutenants in the Army, Sub-Lieutenants in the Navy and Flying Officers in the Air Force. The Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry candidates undergo a 4-year B.Tech programme at INA Ezhimala directly.
Selection is a two-stage, equal-weight process: Stage 1 is the Written Examination — Paper I (Mathematics, 300 marks) and Paper II (General Ability Test, 600 marks), conducted on the same day for a total of 900 marks. Stage 2 is the 5-day Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview, also worth 900 marks. Final merit is prepared out of 1800 marks. The examination is conducted twice a year as NDA I (notification December, written April, SSB August-September, joining January next year) and NDA II (notification May-June, written September, SSB January-March next year, joining July).
What makes NDA distinct among Indian competitive exams: it is the only Class-12-entry gateway to permanent-commission officer ranks in all three Armed Forces; it offers a fully funded undergraduate degree (BSc / BSc Computer Science / BA from JNU) alongside military training; and it commissions officers earlier than any other entry — at roughly 22 years of age — which translates to longer service tenure, earlier promotions and a structurally higher lifetime earnings curve compared to graduate-entry routes (CDS, AFCAT, SSC-Tech) for an equivalent rank.
Conducted by: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Government of India
Eligibility
- Age and marital statusAge: 16.5 to 19.5 years on the joining date specified in the UPSC notification (this is the date of commencement of the course at NDA, not the date of the written exam — always verify with the active notification). This is a Class 12 entry exam.
- Physical and medical standardsAge: Same age band as above.
- Educational qualification by wingAge: Same age band as above. Both male AND female candidates are eligible (post the 2021 Supreme Court ruling; the first batch of female cadets joined NDA in July 2022).
Exam Pattern
Stage-by-stage breakdown of the recruitment process.
Paper I — Mathematics (Written Stage 1)
- Questions
- 120 objective questions (MCQ)
- Marks
- 300 (each correct answer = 2.5 marks)
- Duration
- 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes)
Paper II — General Ability Test / GAT (Written Stage 1)
- Questions
- 150 objective questions (MCQ) — English 50 + GK 100
- Marks
- 600 (each correct answer = 4 marks)
- Duration
- 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes)
Stage 2 — SSB Interview (Services Selection Board)
- Questions
- Not applicable — multi-format assessment
- Marks
- 900 (equal weight as the entire written examination)
- Duration
- 5 days at the SSB centre (screened-out candidates exit on Day 1 evening)
Syllabus
3 sections, 25 topics in total.
- Mathematics (Paper I, 300 marks) — NCERT Class 11 + 12 backbone10 topics
- English (Paper II / GAT Section A, 200 marks)7 topics
- General Knowledge (Paper II / GAT Section B, 400 marks) — six sub-sections8 topics
Preparation Strategy
Subject-wise strategy, a study plan and the books aspirants rely on for UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination).
Read the preparation guideRecent Changes to Know
- Female cadets eligible since the Supreme Court ruling of August 2021 — the first batch of female cadets joined NDA in July 2022 (NDA 148 course), and the first mixed-gender course has now completed its three-year cycle and passed out to IMA / INA / AFA. The selection bar, training, drill and academics are identical for female and male cadets at NDA Khadakwasla.
- Vacancy distribution across wings (indicative recent cycles, total approximately 400 vacancies per cycle): NDA Army around 208 (including 10 reserved for female candidates), NDA Navy around 42 (including 12 reserved for female candidates), NDA Air Force around 120 (split across Flying / Ground Duty Technical / Ground Duty Non-Technical, with female candidate reservation across each), and Naval Academy 10+2 Cadet Entry around 30 (with female reservation). Exact numbers and reservation break-up vary each cycle and must be read from the active notification.
- Computer Pilot Selection System (CPSS) / Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT) is mandatory for all Air Force cadet candidates — a one-time lifetime test; failing PABT permanently disqualifies the candidate from Air Force selection across NDA, CDS-IMA(AF), AFCAT and SSC-tech AF.
- NDA GAT current-affairs sub-section has increasingly added science-and-technology questions on cybersecurity, AI in defence applications, drone warfare and indigenous defence-tech (DRDO programmes, indigenous fighter projects) reflecting the modern operational environment.
- NCC C-certificate holders, Sainik School alumni and Rashtriya Military / Military School graduates retain selection advantages — both through service-mindset evidence at SSB and through subsidised seat reservations under the relevant entry schemes; these advantages cannot be claimed without original verifiable documents.
- Online application is fully through upsconline.gov.in with One Time Registration (OTR) — candidates register once, and subsequent NDA / CDS / Civil Services / other UPSC exam applications reuse the same profile, with only exam-specific details added per cycle.
- Application fee is ₹100 for general / OBC male candidates (paid online through SBI net-banking, debit / credit card or UPI, or offline at any SBI branch through pay-by-cash challan). Female candidates and SC / ST candidates are exempted from the fee.
Important Dates
- Notification
- NDA I notification — typically released in December (preceding year). NDA II notification — typically released in May or June. Application window stays open for approximately 3 weeks from each notification's release date through upsconline.gov.in.
- Exam
- NDA I written examination — typically conducted in April (4-5 months after notification). NDA II written examination — typically conducted in September (3-4 months after notification). Both papers (Paper I Mathematics and Paper II GAT) are conducted on the same day across morning and afternoon sessions.
- Results
- Written results — typically published 6-8 weeks after the exam. SSB Interview — NDA I candidates undergo SSB in August-September (post-results), NDA II candidates in January-March (post-results). Final merit list — published 2-3 months after the SSB cycle closes. Joining — NDA I batch joins in January of the following year, NDA II batch joins in July of the following year.
All dates are indicative based on recent cycles and are subject to UPSC's official calendar. The annual UPSC examination calendar is released in May for the following year. Always cross-reference the active notification on upsc.gov.in for cycle-specific cut-off dates, vacancy break-up (NDA Army / Navy / Air Force / 10+2 Cadet Entry NA) and the exact age-band reference date.
UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) preparation guides
- Master Static GK: Proven Ways to Remember General AwarenessDiscover a step‑by‑step system to lock in static general knowledge for SSC CGL and RRB NTPC exams, using practical tricks, smart organization, and daily habits that turn facts into long‑term memory.
- Master Quantitative Aptitude: Topic‑Wise Priority Blueprint for SSC CGL & IBPS POA step‑by‑step, topic‑wise priority guide that shows you exactly which Quantitative Aptitude concepts to master first, how much time to allocate, and proven tactics to solve each type of problem efficiently.
- Master Exam-Day Calm: Turn Anxiety into Peak PerformanceLearn proven, step‑by‑step techniques to silence exam‑day nerves, boost focus, and unleash your true potential on any competitive test.
- Master Bank PO Exams While Working Full‑Time: A Practical RoadmapLearn how to juggle a day job and Bank PO preparation with realistic scheduling, free resources, and proven study techniques—stay focused, confident, and burnout‑free.
UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) mock test — frequently asked questions
What is the UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) eligibility?
Marital status: must be unmarried. Cadets are not permitted to marry during the entire 3-year NDA training and the subsequent 1-year pre-commissioning training at IMA/INA/AFA. Age: 16.5 to 19.5 years on the joining date specified in the UPSC notification (this is the date of commencement of the course at NDA, not the date of the written exam — always verify with the active notification). This is a Class 12 entry exam. Nationality: Indian citizen, OR subject of Bhutan, OR subject of Nepal, OR Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling, OR person of Indian origin migrated from specified countries (Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania/Zambia/Malawi/Zaire/Ethiopia and Vietnam) with the intention of permanently settling..
What is the UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) exam pattern?
Paper I — Mathematics (Written Stage 1) covers Single section — Mathematics (NCERT Class 11 + 12 syllabus). 120 objective questions (MCQ) questions for 300 (each correct answer = 2.5 marks) marks, with negative marking of 0.83 marks deducted per wrong answer (one-third of 2.5 marks).
Is the UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) mock test on Kamiyab really free?
Yes, completely free. No payment and no hidden charges — every UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) full mock on Kamiyab is free to use.
Do I need to create an account to attempt the UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) mock test?
Yes — you sign in (free) with your mobile number or Google before starting a UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) mock. It takes a few seconds and lets us save your scores and weak-topic insights.
How many questions are there in the UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) mock test?
A Full Mock is built to match the real UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) exam pattern and timing — a complete, full-length paper. You can also practise a single topic on its own for a shorter, focused session.
Which subjects and topics are covered for UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy)?
3 topics are covered for UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy), including Mathematics, English, General Knowledge and more. Each topic can be practised on its own or combined into a full-length mock.
Are the UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) questions reliable and up to date with the latest syllabus?
Every question is hand-curated and kept aligned with the current official UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) syllabus, each with a short explanation. When the exam body revises the syllabus, the question bank is updated so you are not practising removed or out-of-syllabus topics.
Do I get the correct answers and explanations for UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy)?
Yes. After you submit the test, every question shows the correct option along with a short explanation, so you can review and fix weak areas immediately.
Will the UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) mock test work on a low-end phone or slow connection?
Yes. Kamiyab runs in any modern mobile browser with no app install. The timer, scoring and explanations all work on basic Android phones and on slow networks.
How should I use Kamiyab to prepare for UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy)?
Practise a single topic daily for focused revision, then take a full-length mock to simulate the real UPSC NDA & NA (National Defence Academy) timer and pressure. Read the explanations after every test and re-practise the topics where you score low.