NDA I General Ability Test 2025: Complete Question Paper Analysis & Preparation Strategy

Explore More

Subject-wise Distribution

SubjectQuestionsPercentage
Science & Technology5252%
Geography1717%
History & Culture1515%
Economy66%
Polity & Governance55%
International Relations & Global Affairs11%
Miscellaneous & General Knowledge11%
NA11%
CUL-0211%
Environment & Ecology11%

Topic-wise Breakdown

SubjectTopicQuestions
Science & TechnologyBasic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)44
GeographyWorld Physical Geography10
Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Health4
History & CultureModern India (Pre-1857)4
GeographyIndian Economic Geography4
History & CultureNational Movement (1857–1947)4
Science & TechnologyNew Materials, Energy & Environment-linked Tech3
GeographyIndian Physical Geography2
History & CultureCulture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy2
Polity & GovernanceConstitutional Basics & Evolution2
EconomyAgriculture & Rural Economy2
History & CultureAncient India2
History & CultureArt & Architecture2
EconomyIndustry, Infrastructure & Investment2
GeographyMaps & Locations1

The National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance examination remains the most prestigious gateway for young aspirants aiming to don the uniform as commissioned officers in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the NDA I 2025 General Ability Test (GAT) has once again proven that while the syllabus remains constant, the "mind of the examiner" is constantly evolving. For a serious aspirant, understanding the nuances of the 2025 paper is not just about looking at what came; it is about decoding the strategy for what lies ahead. This analysis serves as your tactical roadmap to mastering the GAT paper, ensuring your preparation is aligned with the current standards of the UPSC.

1. Introduction & Exam Overview

The NDA I 2025 General Ability Test (GAT) is the second paper of the examination day, following the Mathematics paper. It is a high-stakes component consisting of 150 questions (50 English and 100 General Studies) carrying a total of 600 marks. Each correct answer rewards you with 4 marks, while a wrong answer attracts a penalty of 1.33 marks (1/3rd negative marking). With a duration of 2.5 hours, the GAT paper tests not just your knowledge, but your speed, accuracy, and ability to filter information under pressure.

Why does this specific 2025 analysis matter? Because the distribution of questions this year has shattered several long-standing myths. For years, students focused heavily on History and Geography as the "pillars" of GAT. However, the 2025 data reveals a massive tilt towards Science & Technology, which accounted for a staggering 52% of the General Studies section. This shift indicates that the UPSC is looking for candidates with a strong scientific temperament and an analytical mindset, rather than those who rely solely on rote memorization of historical dates. Understanding these shifts is the difference between working hard and working smart.

2. Subject-wise Deep Dive

Science & Technology: The Deciding Factor

In 2025, Science & Technology dominated the GAT with 52 questions (52%). The core of this section was "Basic Science," covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (44 questions). Additionally, Biotechnology & Health (4 questions) and New Materials/Energy (3 questions) showed an increasing trend toward applied science.

  • What appeared: Questions focused on fundamental laws of Physics (Optics, Electricity, Mechanics), chemical reactions, and human physiology. The Biotechnology section touched upon recent advancements in vaccines and genetic engineering.
  • Recommended Books: NCERT Class 9th and 10th Science textbooks are your Bible. For Physics and Chemistry, refer to Lucent’s General Science for quick revision.
  • Mistakes to avoid: Ignoring the "Applied" part of science. Don't just learn the formula for refraction; understand how it applies to optical fibers or atmospheric phenomena.

Geography: The Spatial Context

Geography accounted for 17% of the paper (17 questions). World Physical Geography took the lead with 10 questions, followed by Indian Economic Geography (4) and Indian Physical Geography (2).

  • What appeared: Plate tectonics, ocean currents, and climate zones dominated the World Geography section. Indian Geography focused on resources and industrial locations.
  • Recommended Books: "Certificate Physical and Human Geography" by Goh Cheng Leong and NCERT Class 11th "Fundamentals of Physical Geography."
  • Mistakes to avoid: Studying Geography without maps. Always keep an Oxford Student Atlas open while reading about rivers, mountains, or international boundaries.

History & Culture: The Modern Focus

With 15 questions (15%), History remains significant. The distribution was skewed toward Modern India (Pre-1857) and the National Movement (1857–1947), with 4 questions each. Culture and Philosophy contributed 2 questions.

  • What appeared: British administrative policies, socio-religious reform movements, and the Gandhian era. There was a noticeable absence of deep Ancient or Medieval military history.
  • Recommended Books: "A Brief History of Modern India" by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir) and Tamil Nadu State Board Class 11th and 12th History books.
  • Mistakes to avoid: Getting bogged down in dates. Focus on the "Why" and "How" of events—the causes and consequences of the movements.

Economy, Polity, and Others

Economy (6%) and Polity (5%) were relatively light but served as "rank boosters." Polity focused on Constitutional Basics, while Economy touched upon macro-indicators.

  • Recommended Books: M. Laxmikanth for Polity (selective reading) and NCERT Class 11th "Indian Economic Development."
  • Mistakes to avoid: Reading the entire Laxmikanth. For NDA, focus on the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, and the President/Governor chapters.

3. Topic Trends & Pattern Analysis

The 2025 paper highlights a significant "Technocratic Shift." When 52 out of 100 General Studies questions come from Science, the UPSC is sending a clear message: future officers must be tech-savvy. This aligns with the modernization of the Indian Armed Forces, where understanding technology is as vital as physical prowess.

Another emerging trend is the integration of "Environment-linked Tech." Questions on new materials and energy sources (3 questions) suggest that the examiner is looking at how global challenges like climate change intersect with technological solutions. This is a departure from traditional "Environment & Ecology" questions which used to focus on national parks and species. Now, the focus is on the *science* of the environment.

Compared to the Civil Services Examination (CSE), the NDA 2025 GAT remains more factual but is moving toward "concept-based facts." For example, instead of asking which year a treaty was signed, the paper might ask about the implications of that treaty on Indian borders—a style very similar to the CAPF and CDS exams. This tells us the examiner's mindset is shifting from "What happened?" to "What does this mean today?"

4. Preparation Strategy

To conquer the GAT, you need a balanced time allocation strategy. Given the 2025 weightage, your study schedule should look like this: 40% Science, 20% Geography, 15% History, 10% Polity/Economy, and 15% Current Affairs.

Primary Resource List

  • Science: NCERT (9-12) + "General Science" by Arihant. Focus heavily on the "Science & Technology" section of newspapers for the biotechnology part.
  • Polity: "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth. Focus on the first 25 chapters. For a more conceptual understanding of the spirit of the constitution, refer to "Our Constitution" by Subhash Kashyap.
  • History: "Themes in Indian History" (NCERT Class 12 Parts 1, 2, 3). For the National Movement, Bipin Chandra’s "India’s Struggle for Independence" is excellent for building a narrative.
  • Geography: NCERT Class 11 and 12 are non-negotiable. Complement this with G.C. Leong for physical concepts like volcanism and cyclones.
  • Economy: "Indian Economy" by Ramesh Singh (only for basic concepts like GDP, Inflation, and Banking). Follow the "Economic Survey" summary for latest data.
  • Current Affairs: Daily reading of "The Hindu" or "The Indian Express." Use the PIB (Press Information Bureau) website for government schemes and defense updates.

Effective Use of PYQs (Previous Year Questions)

Don't just solve PYQs; analyze them. If a question is asked about the 'Right to Privacy,' check which Supreme Court judgment it relates to and which Fundamental Right it falls under. In 2025, several Science questions were "evolved versions" of questions asked in 2018-2020. Aim to solve at least the last 10 years of NDA GAT papers twice.

5. Answer Elimination Techniques

In a paper with negative marking, knowing what *not* to mark is as important as knowing the right answer. Use these mentor-tested techniques:

  • The Extreme Word Rule: In statement-based questions, options containing words like "only," "always," "never," or "all" are often (though not always) incorrect. UPSC likes nuance, and extreme statements rarely allow for it.
  • The 50-50 Logic: If you can confidently eliminate two options, you *must* take the risk and mark one of the remaining two. Statistically, over 10 such questions, you are likely to gain more marks than you lose.
  • Match the Following: Often, knowing just one correct pair allows you to find the right code. Always start with the pair you are 100% sure about.
  • Contextual Guessing: If a question is about a new technology you haven't heard of, look at the name. Often, scientific names or scheme names are descriptive (e.g., 'Sagar' schemes usually relate to maritime security).

6. Current Affairs Integration

The 2025 paper showed that Current Affairs is no longer a separate silo; it is the "lens" through which static topics are viewed. For instance, a question on a specific island in Geography was likely triggered by a recent international maritime dispute or a diplomatic visit.

  • Building the Habit: Spend 45 minutes every morning with a newspaper. Don't take notes on everything—focus on Defense deals, International summits (G20, BRICS, SCO), and Scientific breakthroughs.
  • Magazines: While "Yojana" and "Kurukshetra" are great for the Mains of CSE, for NDA, a monthly compilation like "Pratiyogita Darpan" or "Civil Services Chronicle" is more effective for factual retention.
  • Defense Specifics: As a future officer, you must know about the inductions in the IAF, Navy, and Army. Keep a track of joint military exercises (e.g., Exercise Surya Kiran, Malabar).

7. Smart Preparation Tips

The 6-Month Tactical Plan

  • Months 1-2: Foundation building. Finish all NCERTs (Science, History, Geography). Don't touch reference books yet.
  • Months 3-4: Advanced reading. Switch to Laxmikanth, Spectrum, and G.C. Leong. Start practicing 20 MCQs daily.
  • Month 5: Consolidation. Start full-length mock tests. Focus on the 52% Science weightage.
  • Month 6: Revision and Strategy. Only revise your own handwritten notes and solve the last 5 years' PYQs.

Revision & Mock Tests

Use the Active Recall method. Instead of reading a chapter again, close the book and try to write down everything you remember. For mocks, join a reputed test series. The goal of a mock test is not to see your score, but to analyze your "silly mistake" patterns. Are you misreading "not correct" as "correct"? Are you bubbling the wrong OMR circle? Fix these in the mocks, not the exam hall.

8. Key Takeaways & Action Items

The NDA I 2025 GAT analysis proves that the exam is becoming more scientific and analytical. To succeed, you must move away from the traditional "History-heavy" mindset and embrace a "Science-first" strategy.

Top 5 Books to Prioritize:

  1. NCERT Science (Class 9 & 10): For the 44+ questions in Basic Science.
  2. Spectrum’s Modern India: For the National Movement questions.
  3. Oxford Student Atlas: For visual Geography preparation.
  4. M. Laxmikanth (Polity): Specifically for Fundamental Rights and Parliament.
  5. G.C. Leong: For mastering Physical Geography concepts.

Immediate Next Steps:

  • Download the NDA I 2025 GAT question paper and attempt it without looking at the keys to gauge your current level.
  • Identify your "Weak Zone" (e.g., Physics or World Geography) and dedicate the first two hours of your study day to it.
  • Start a "Current Affairs Diary" where you note down only one major event per day and its background.

Remember, the NDA exam doesn't just test your knowledge; it tests your 'Officer Like Qualities' (OLQs). Your ability to analyze this data and adapt your strategy accordingly is your first step toward the Academy. Stay disciplined, stay focused, and keep the fire burning. Jai Hind!

Complete Question Index - NDA I General Ability Test 2025

Click on any question number to practice and view detailed explanation:

Q#SubjectPractice Link
51History & CultureSolve Question 51
52History & CultureSolve Question 52
53History & CultureSolve Question 53
54History & CultureSolve Question 54
55History & CultureSolve Question 55
56History & CultureSolve Question 56
57Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 57
58Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 58
59Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 59
60International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 60
61History & CultureSolve Question 61
62EconomySolve Question 62
63History & CultureSolve Question 63
64History & CultureSolve Question 64
65History & CultureSolve Question 65
66History & CultureSolve Question 66
67History & CultureSolve Question 67
68CUL-02Solve Question 68
69Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 69
70Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 70
71Science & TechnologySolve Question 71
72Science & TechnologySolve Question 72
73Science & TechnologySolve Question 73
74Science & TechnologySolve Question 74
75Science & TechnologySolve Question 75
76Science & TechnologySolve Question 76
77Science & TechnologySolve Question 77
78Science & TechnologySolve Question 78
79Science & TechnologySolve Question 79
80Science & TechnologySolve Question 80
81Science & TechnologySolve Question 81
82Science & TechnologySolve Question 82
83Science & TechnologySolve Question 83
84Science & TechnologySolve Question 84
85Environment & EcologySolve Question 85
86GeographySolve Question 86
87GeographySolve Question 87
88GeographySolve Question 88
89GeographySolve Question 89
90GeographySolve Question 90
91GeographySolve Question 91
92GeographySolve Question 92
93GeographySolve Question 93
94GeographySolve Question 94
95GeographySolve Question 95
96GeographySolve Question 96
97GeographySolve Question 97
98EconomySolve Question 98
99EconomySolve Question 99
100GeographySolve Question 100
101GeographySolve Question 101
102GeographySolve Question 102
103GeographySolve Question 103
104GeographySolve Question 104
105Science & TechnologySolve Question 105
106Science & TechnologySolve Question 106
107Science & TechnologySolve Question 107
108Science & TechnologySolve Question 108
109Science & TechnologySolve Question 109
110Science & TechnologySolve Question 110
111Science & TechnologySolve Question 111
112Science & TechnologySolve Question 112
113Science & TechnologySolve Question 113
114Science & TechnologySolve Question 114
115Science & TechnologySolve Question 115
116History & CultureSolve Question 116
117History & CultureSolve Question 117
118History & CultureSolve Question 118
119EconomySolve Question 119
120Science & TechnologySolve Question 120
121EconomySolve Question 121
122Science & TechnologySolve Question 122
123Science & TechnologySolve Question 123
124Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 124
125EconomySolve Question 125
126Science & TechnologySolve Question 126
127Science & TechnologySolve Question 127
128Science & TechnologySolve Question 128
129Science & TechnologySolve Question 129
130Science & TechnologySolve Question 130
131Science & TechnologySolve Question 131
132Science & TechnologySolve Question 132
133Science & TechnologySolve Question 133
134Science & TechnologySolve Question 134
135Science & TechnologySolve Question 135
136Science & TechnologySolve Question 136
137Science & TechnologySolve Question 137
138NASolve Question 138
139Science & TechnologySolve Question 139
140Science & TechnologySolve Question 140
141Science & TechnologySolve Question 141
142Science & TechnologySolve Question 142
143Science & TechnologySolve Question 143
144Science & TechnologySolve Question 144
145Science & TechnologySolve Question 145
146Science & TechnologySolve Question 146
147Science & TechnologySolve Question 147
148Science & TechnologySolve Question 148
149Science & TechnologySolve Question 149
150Science & TechnologySolve Question 150

Explore More