NDA Study Plan: Your Ultimate Roadmap to Crack the NDA Exam in 2026

Aspiring to join the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) is a dream that demands discipline, strategy, and unwavering focus. With thousands of candidates competing for limited seats twice every year, success depends not on hard work alone but on a smart, well-structured NDA study plan that covers every topic systematically while building speed, accuracy, and confidence.

A proven NDA study plan is the difference between just appearing for the exam and actually clearing it with a top rank. This comprehensive guide gives you the most effective and realistic NDA study plan for 2026 that has helped hundreds of students secure their call letters.

Why You Need a Dedicated NDA Study Plan

The NDA written exam consists of two papers:

Mathematics – 300 marks (Class 11 & 12 level)
General Ability Test (GAT) – 600 marks (English + GK: Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, Current Affairs, Biology)

Total exam duration: 5 hours. Negative marking: 0.33 for Mathematics, 1.33 for GAT.

Without a proper NDA study plan, candidates waste months on random topics, leave syllabus gaps, or burn out before the exam. A good NDA study plan ensures balanced coverage, regular revision, and peak performance on exam day.

Ideal Timeline: When to Start Your NDA Study Plan

Target Exam	Best Time to Start	Recommended Duration
NDA I 2026	September–October 2025	6–8 months
NDA II 2026	March–April 2026	5–6 months
NDA I 2027	July–August 2026	8–10 months (ideal for freshers)

Students studying in Class 12 should ideally begin serious preparation right after their board exams.

The Most Effective 6-Month NDA Study Plan (Proven & Updated for 2026)

Month 1–2: Foundation & Syllabus Coverage Phase

Goal: Complete 100% syllabus for the first time.

Daily Schedule (6–8 hours study):

6:00 AM – 8:30 AM → Mathematics (2.5 hrs)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM → GAT (Physics + Chemistry) (3 hrs)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM → English (2 hrs)
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM → GK (History/Geography/Current Affairs) (2 hrs)
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM → Revision + Weak topics (2 hrs)

Weekly Targets:

Mathematics: Algebra, Matrices & Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry
GAT: Complete Physics & Chemistry Class 11 syllabus
English: Grammar rules, vocabulary (30 new words daily)
GK: Ancient & Medieval India, Basic Science concepts

Month 3–4: Intensive Practice & Speed Building

Goal: Advance to Class 12 topics + begin full-length mock tests.

Daily Schedule (8–10 hours):

Morning: Mathematics (3–4 hrs) → Calculus, Vectors, Probability, Statistics
Afternoon: GAT Science (Biology + remaining Physics/Chemistry)
Evening: Social Studies (Modern India, World History, Indian Polity, Economy)
Night: English practice + Current Affairs (read The Hindu/Indian Express daily)

Weekly:

3 full-length Mathematics papers
3 full-length GAT papers
1 complete NDA mock test (both papers same day, original timing)

Month 5: Revision + Error Analysis Phase

Goal: Strengthen strong areas, eliminate weak ones.

Strategy:

Revise all formulas daily (maintain separate formula notebook)
Solve previous 10 years’ NDA papers (2016–2025)
Maintain error log – note every mistake and revisit concept
Take 2 full mock tests every week
Focus heavily on repeated topics (Trigonometry, Heights & Distances, English cloze test, Modern History, Physics mechanics)

Month 6: Peak Performance Phase (Last 30 Days)

Final NDA study plan for the crucial last month:

Week	Focus Area
Week 1	Full syllabus quick revision + formula mastery
Week 2	4 full-length mock tests + analysis
Week 3	Only previous year papers + rapid revision
Week 4	Light revision, meditation, confidence building, sleep 8 hours

Last 3 days: Only formula revision, no new topics, stay calm.

Subject-Wise NDA Study Plan & Best Resources (2026 Updated)

Mathematics NDA Study Plan

Priority topics (frequently asked):

Trigonometry (25–30 marks)
Matrices & Determinants (20–25 marks)
Algebra (Quadratic, Sequences)
Calculus (Differentiation, Integration, Limits)
Vectors & 3D Geometry

Best Books:

Pathfinder for NDA by Arihant
Mathematics for NDA by R.S. Aggarwal
Chapterwise-Sectionwise Solved Papers by Arihant

General Ability Test (GAT) NDA Study Plan

English (200 marks):

Daily 50 vocabulary words
Practice cloze test, spotting errors, sentence improvement
Read Wren & Martin + Norman Lewis Word Power

Physics & Chemistry (200 marks combined):

Focus NCERT Class 11 &12 thoroughly
Lucent’s General Science + previous year questions

History & Geography:

NCERT Class 6–12 (must)
Spectrum Modern India + Certificate Physical & Human Geography by G.C. Leong

Current Affairs:

Read newspaper daily
Manorama Yearbook/Pratiyogita Darpan
Make notes of last 12–18 months’ events

Biology (100 marks possible):

NCERT Biology Class 11 & 12 (focus on diagrams)

Daily Routine of Toppers (Follow This NDA Study Plan Strictly)

Time	Activity
5:00 AM	Wake up + Exercise/Yoga
6:00–8:30 AM	Mathematics
9:00 AM–1:00 PM	GAT (Science + Social Studies)
1:00–2:00 PM	Lunch + Rest
2:00–5:00 PM	English + Current Affairs
5:30–7:30 PM	Revision + Weak topics
8:00–10:00 PM	Mock test analysis OR light reading
10:30 PM	Sleep

Weekly off: Half-day Sunday for relaxation and family time.

Join the Best NDA Coaching in Dehradun for Guaranteed Success

While self-study with a solid NDA study plan is powerful, nothing replaces expert guidance, disciplined environment, and proven teaching methodology.

Indian Defence Institute, recognized as the Best NDA Coaching in Dehradun, has consistently produced top ranks in NDA exams year after year. With experienced faculty (many ex-defence officers), updated study material, regular mock tests, doubt-clearing sessions, and personalized mentoring, we ensure every student follows the most effective NDA study plan tailored to their strengths and weaknesses.

Our success rate speaks for itself — more than 500+ selections in the last 5 years.

Start your journey today. Enroll with Indian Defence Institute — the undisputed Best NDA Coaching in Dehradun — and transform your NDA dream into reality!

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