Preparing for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam requires a strategic approach, focusing on the key subjects and areas tested. NDA preparation involves mastering topics in Mathematics, General Knowledge (GK), English, and other relevant areas.
Recommended Books and Study Materials for NDA Preparation:
Here’s a comprehensive list of books and resources for each subject:
1. Mathematics
Mathematics is an important subject for the NDA exam, and candidates need to be well-versed in various topics like Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, and more. Here are some essential books for this subject:
"Mathematics for Class 11 & 12" by R.D. Sharma
This book covers the syllabus comprehensively, and the problems are suited to both basic and advanced learners. It’s helpful for clearing fundamental concepts.
"Trigonometry" by S.L. Loney
An excellent book for understanding trigonometry, with clear explanations and lots of practice problems.
"Higher Algebra" by Hall and Knight
A well-regarded book for Algebra, covering both basic and advanced concepts with clear solutions and techniques.
"IIT Mathematics" by M.L. Khanna
Known for a more rigorous approach, this book is beneficial for mastering problems in areas like Calculus, Algebra, and Geometry.
"Objective Mathematics" by R.D. Sharma
Great for solving practice questions for the NDA exam in an objective format, helping candidates prepare for multiple-choice questions.
"Problems in Calculus of One Variable" by I.A. Maron
A useful book for learning and practicing calculus.
2. General Knowledge (GK)
General Knowledge covers a wide range of topics such as Current Affairs, History, Geography, Science, and more. Preparing from reliable sources is crucial to stay up to date.
"General Knowledge 2025" by Manohar Pandey (Arihant Publications)
A comprehensive book that covers everything related to current events, national and international affairs, geography, science, and more.
"NDA General Knowledge" by S. Chand
A great reference that targets both static and dynamic GK. It has a variety of practice questions for testing knowledge in history, geography, science, and current affairs.
"Lucent’s General Knowledge"
This book is one of the most popular resources for candidates preparing for NDA. It contains concise yet detailed information in topics like history, polity, economics, and science.
"NCERT Textbooks (Class 6-12)
NCERT books form the foundation of general knowledge and current affairs. For subjects like History, Geography, and Science, NCERT is highly recommended. Focus on history, geography, economics, and science.
3. English
The English section evaluates your language proficiency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. For this, you can refer to the following books:
"Objective General English" by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
A popular book for enhancing English skills, covering grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and verbal ability. It’s a go-to resource for the English section.
"High School English Grammar & Composition" by Wren & Martin
One of the best books for building a strong foundation in English grammar. Ideal for understanding the rules of grammar in a more systematic manner.
"Word Power Made Easy" by Norman Lewis
A great resource to enhance your vocabulary, which is essential for both the English and GK sections.
"NDA English Language & Comprehension" by Arihant
Specifically designed for NDA aspirants, this book contains various types of questions and practice tests to enhance reading comprehension and language skills.
4. Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
The science section in NDA tests knowledge across various scientific domains, and the following books will help you cover the essentials:
"NCERT Science Books (Class 9-12)
NCERT books are indispensable for building a solid foundation in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Focus on the topics like Electricity, Optics, Laws of Motion, and Biology.
"Physics for Class 11 & 12" by H.C. Verma
This book is excellent for understanding the basic concepts of Physics with a lot of problems to practice.
"Concise Chemistry" by O.P. Tandon
This book is excellent for preparing Chemistry and also comes with a lot of practice questions.
"Biology" by Trueman
It is an excellent book for biology, covering all the fundamental topics in depth, with easy-to-understand explanations.
5. NDA Previous Year Papers and Mock Tests
Practicing previous years’ papers and taking mock tests is essential to understand the exam format and to improve speed and accuracy.
"NDA Previous Years' Papers" by Arihant
This book includes detailed solutions for past years’ NDA papers, helping you understand the types of questions and time management during the exam.
"NDA/NA Solved Papers (2010-2025)" by Kiran Prakashan
Another excellent resource to practice objective questions from the past 10-15 years. It gives an insight into the exam pattern and helps you prepare accordingly.
"Practice Sets for NDA" by Arihant
A set of practice tests designed for NDA aspirants, it’s an excellent resource to get accustomed to the exam pattern and timing.
6. Additional Tips
Focus on Current Affairs: Read newspapers like The Hindu or The Times of India daily. Follow magazines like Pratiyogita Darpan for updated content on national and international events.
Stay Consistent: Set a study schedule and stick to it. It is better to follow a steady routine than cram all at once.
Online Resources:
- Websites like BYJU’s, Unacademy, Gradeup, and Oliveboard offer NDA-specific coaching, mock tests, and courses.
- Mobile apps such as Testbook or Gradeup provide daily quizzes and question banks for practice.
Conclusion
To summarize, a well-rounded approach that combines textbooks, practice tests, and current affairs resources is key to cracking the NDA exam. Focus on understanding the concepts, solving as many problems as you can, and staying updated on current affairs. Aim for consistency and a structured study routine, and you’ll be on track to achieving success in the NDA exam.
Good luck with your preparation!