The UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is one of India’s most popular defense entrance exams. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts this examination twice a year for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Students who have passed or are currently appearing for their Class 12 examinations are eligible to apply for this exam, and the age limit typically ranges from 16 to 19 years.
For the year 2026, the notification for NDA/NA I 2026 was published in December 2025, and the written examination was held on April 12, 2026. Solving previous years’ question papers enables candidates to understand the exam pattern, the difficulty level of the questions, and the key topics within Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). Please refer to the link below for complete information on the UPSC NDA & NA I Recruitment 2026.
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NDA 2026 Exam:
NDA 2026 is a national-level examination conducted by the UPSC for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. This examination assesses candidates on Mathematics, English, General Knowledge, and Science. The NDA 2026 examination is scheduled for April 12, 2026. Candidates who have passed Class 12, or are currently appearing for the examination, are eligible to apply. Please refer to the brief overview of the NDA 2026 examination provided below:
| NDA 1 2026 Exam Date Overview | |
| Exam Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy (NDA) |
| Total Posts | 394 |
| Selection Process | Written Test, SSB, Medical & Final Merit List |
| Application Date | 20th May 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Offline |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions |
| NDA 2 Exam Subjects | Mathematics & General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Official Website Link | www.upsc.gov.in |
NDA Previous Year Question Paper PDF:
Due to the rising number of applicants each year, competition is intensifying; consequently, candidates applying for NDA 1 2026 find it necessary to engage in even more rigorous practice. By practicing with NDA’s previous years’ question papers, candidates can gain an understanding of the examination pattern and trends, while simultaneously improving their speed and time management skills. Practicing question papers on a daily basis enhances accuracy, boosts confidence, and strengthens overall exam preparation.
Here, we are providing the question papers from the past 10 years of the UPSC NDA examination. If you are planning to appear for the upcoming NDA 1 2026 exam, you can download the year-wise PDFs of these previous years’ question papers from here and practice as extensively as possible.
NDA General Ability Test (GAT) Previous Year Papers Free PDF:
The General Ability Test evaluates your understanding of subjects such as English, General Knowledge, History, Geography, Current Affairs, and Science. Practicing these question papers will boost your confidence in answering general knowledge questions.
| Year | NDA PYQs (GAT) | |
| 2025 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
| 2025 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I | PDF Download |
| 2024 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
| 2024 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I | PDF Download |
| 2023 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
| 2023 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I | PDF Download |
| 2022 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
| 2022 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I | PDF Download |
| 2021 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
| 2021 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I | PDF Download |
| 2020 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I & II | PDF Download |
| 2019 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
| 2019 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I | PDF Download |
| 2018 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
| 2018 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I | PDF Download |
| 2017 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
| 2017 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I | PDF Download |
| 2016 | NDA Previous Year Papers GAT II | PDF Download |
NDA Mathematics Previous Year Papers:
The Mathematics paper may contain topics like algebra, calculus, and even trigonometry, vectors, statistics, and a lot topics. The papers from the previous year will give you an insight into the kind of trend that has been seen in the types of questions that have been asked.
| Year | NDA PYQs (Maths) | |
| 2025 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
| 2025 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I | PDF Download |
| 2024 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
| 2024 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I | PDF Download |
| 2023 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
| 2023 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I | PDF Download |
| 2022 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
| 2022 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I | PDF Download |
| 2021 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
| 2021 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I | PDF Download |
| 2020 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I & II | PDF Download |
| 2019 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
| 2019 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I | PDF Download |
| 2018 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
| 2018 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I | PDF Download |
| 2017 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
| 2017 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths I | PDF Download |
| 2016 | NDA Previous Year Papers Maths II | PDF Download |
How to Prepare for NDA 2026 with PYQs:
Here is a step-by-step plan for effectively utilizing NDA’s previous years’ question papers:
- Collect the Right Resources: For this purpose, you will need PDF files of NDA PYQs for Mathematics and GAT covering the period from 2016 to September 2025.
- Identify Key Areas: This is accomplished by analyzing previous years’ question papers to identify areas containing recurring questions that are of high importance.
- Establish a Study Routine: Include PYQs in your timetable along with theory learning. Regular revision is key.
- Practice with Purpose: Solve question papers in an exam-like environment to get accustomed to time pressure and the types of questions.
- Review Mistakes Carefully: Errors should be carefully analyzed to identify conceptual flaws.
- Target Your Weaknesses: Place greater emphasis on the topics you find difficult to understand.
Conclusion:
Preparing for the 2026 NDA examination using previous years’ question papers—spanning from 2016 through September 2025—is one of the most effective strategies available. By studying quality books and availing the expert coaching and training provided by the Centurion Defence Academy, one can ideally acquire the confidence, speed, and accuracy necessary to pass the examination with ease. Thank you for reading this article; please bookmark our website for further information.
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