NDA II General Ability Test 2019: Complete Question Paper Analysis & Preparation Strategy

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Subject-wise Distribution

SubjectQuestionsPercentage
Science & Technology5436.2%
History & Culture3926.2%
Miscellaneous & General Knowledge2214.8%
Geography1610.7%
Economy64%
Polity & Governance53.4%
ENG42.7%
Environment & Ecology21.3%
CUL-0210.7%

Topic-wise Breakdown

SubjectTopicQuestions
Science & TechnologyBasic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)48
History & CultureCulture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy21
GeographyWorld Physical Geography13
Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeImportant Days, Places & Events11
History & CultureNational Movement (1857–1947)7
Miscellaneous & General KnowledgePersons in News, Books & Authors6
History & CultureModern India (Pre-1857)6
Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSports, Games & Awards5
Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Health4
History & CultureHeritage & Misc Culture3
Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Protected Areas2
GeographyMaps & Locations2
ENGVOC-012
Polity & GovernanceGovernance, Policies & Social Justice2
EconomyIndustry, Infrastructure & Investment2

The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination remains the most prestigious gateway for young aspirants dreaming of a career as commissioned officers in the Indian Armed Forces. Among the two papers, the General Ability Test (GAT) is often the "make or break" component. The NDA II 2019 GAT paper stands as a monumental case study for every serious candidate. With 149 questions (standardly 150, with one variation in this specific set), this paper was a masterclass in how the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) balances core scientific principles with an expansive understanding of humanities and current affairs.

For an aspirant, analyzing the 2019 paper isn't just about looking at old questions; it is about decoding the DNA of the UPSC examiner. In 2019, the paper moved away from rote memorization and leaned heavily toward conceptual clarity and the "application" of knowledge. With a marking scheme of +4 for every correct answer and a penalty of -1.33 for every wrong one, the stakes were incredibly high. This analysis will serve as your strategic roadmap, helping you understand where to invest your energy and which pitfalls to avoid.

Subject-wise Deep Dive

Science & Technology (54 Questions | 36.2%)

Science remained the undisputed king of the NDA II 2019 GAT paper. With over 36% of the paper dedicated to Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, it is clear that the UPSC expects future officers to have a robust scientific temperament. The "Basic Science" category alone accounted for 48 questions.

  • Specifics: Physics dominated with concepts of Optics, Electricity, and Mechanics. Chemistry focused on everyday applications and chemical reactions, while Biology touched upon Biotechnology and Health (4 questions).
  • Recommended Books: NCERT Science textbooks from Class 9th and 10th are your bibles. For Physics-specific depth, refer to Class 11th and 12th (selected chapters like Optics and Modern Physics). Lucent’s General Science is excellent for a quick factual brush-up.
  • Mistakes to Avoid: Do not ignore the "Application" part. UPSC doesn't just ask for the definition of 'Refraction'; it asks why a pencil looks bent in water. Avoid skipping Biology just because you are a PCM student; the 2019 paper showed that Biology questions are high-scoring and direct.

History & Culture (39 Questions | 26.2%)

History took a surprising turn in 2019, with a massive emphasis on Culture, Literature, Religion, and Philosophy (21 questions). The National Movement (1857–1947) contributed 7 questions, and Modern India (Pre-1857) added another 6.

  • Specifics: The paper delved deep into Indian heritage, Bhakti and Sufi movements, and the architectural history of ancient India.
  • Recommended Books: For Modern History, A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir) or Bipin Chandra’s Struggle for Independence. For Culture, the Fine Arts NCERT (Class 11) is indispensable. The Tamil Nadu State Board History books are also legendary for their clarity on Ancient and Medieval periods.
  • Mistakes to Avoid: Many students focus ONLY on the Freedom Struggle. The 2019 data shows that Culture and Philosophy are now "high-yield" areas. Ignoring the socio-religious reform movements is a recipe for disaster.

Geography (16 Questions | 10.7%)

Geography was dominated by World Physical Geography (13 out of 16 questions). This included topics like atmospheric layers, ocean currents, and plate tectonics.

  • Specifics: There was a distinct lack of "map-pointing" questions compared to other years, with more focus on the "Why" behind physical phenomena.
  • Recommended Books: NCERT Class 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography is the most important book here. Supplement this with Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong for conceptual clarity on climate and landforms.
  • Mistakes to Avoid: Don't just memorize the names of rivers. Understand the pressure belts and wind systems. In 2019, the examiner tested the "process" rather than just the "location."

Miscellaneous & General Knowledge (22 Questions | 14.8%)

This section acted as the "X-factor" in 2019. It covered Important Days, Places, and Events (11 questions), Persons in News (6 questions), and Sports/Awards (5 questions).

  • Specifics: The questions were highly contemporary, reflecting events from the 6-8 months preceding the exam.
  • Recommended Sources: Manorama Yearbook for static GK and a reliable monthly current affairs magazine like Pratiyogita Darpan.
  • Mistakes to Avoid: Treating GK as a separate subject to be studied at the last minute. This needs daily 30-minute consistency.

Topic Trends & Pattern Analysis

The NDA II 2019 paper revealed a significant shift in the UPSC's mindset. Historically, NDA was seen as a "Science + History" exam. However, the 2019 distribution showed a sophisticated layering of subjects. The most striking trend was the rise of Culture and Philosophy. With 21 questions in this sub-topic, the examiner signaled that a future officer must be well-versed in India’s civilizational roots, not just its political history.

Another emerging trend was the interdisciplinary nature of questions. Science questions often touched upon environmental impacts, and History questions often overlapped with Literature. This aligns with the broader UPSC pattern seen in the Civil Services Examination (CSE), where "silo-based" learning is discouraged. The examiner is looking for candidates who can connect the dots. For instance, a question on a historical site might also test your knowledge of its geographical location or the architectural style (Culture) prevalent at that time.

The 2019 paper also showed a "stabilization" of the Economy and Polity sections. With only 6 and 5 questions respectively, these subjects were not the primary deciders, but they were "low-hanging fruits." The questions were fundamental—focusing on the Constitution and basic economic terms—meaning a student with even basic preparation could score 100% in these sections.

Preparation Strategy

To conquer an exam like NDA, your strategy must be as disciplined as the life you aspire to lead. Based on the 2019 analysis, here is how you should allocate your time and resources:

Subject-wise Resource List:

  • Polity: M. Laxmikanth is the gold standard. However, for NDA, focus only on the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, President, and Judiciary. Subhash Kashyap’s Our Constitution is a great alternative for storytelling-style learning.
  • History: Focus on Spectrum’s Modern History. For the Culture part (which was huge in 2019), use the NCERT Class 11 Introduction to Indian Art.
  • Geography: Stick to NCERTs (Class 6 to 12). If you have time, Goh Cheng Leong’s first 10 chapters are vital for World Physical Geography.
  • Economy: Do not read heavy books like Ramesh Singh. Instead, follow the Mrunal Patel notes or videos for basic concepts like GDP, Inflation, and Banking.
  • Current Affairs: Read The Hindu or The Indian Express daily. For NDA, focus specifically on Defense deals, new weapon inductions, and international summits.

The PYQ (Previous Year Question) Strategy:

Don't just solve the 2019 paper; reverse-engineer it. If a question was asked about the "Bhakti Movement," don't just learn that answer. Go back and read the entire chapter on Bhakti and Sufi movements. PYQs are not meant to be repeated; they are meant to show you the "hotspots" of the syllabus.

Answer Elimination Techniques

In the NDA II 2019 paper, several questions were designed to be tricky. This is where the art of elimination comes in. As a mentor, I always tell my students: "You don't need to know the right answer; you just need to eliminate the three wrong ones."

  • The "Extreme Words" Rule: In statement-based questions, words like "Only," "Never," "Always," or "Entirely" often indicate a wrong statement. UPSC rarely deals in absolutes.
  • Match the Following: These are the easiest marks. Usually, if you are 100% sure about just one pair, you can eliminate at least two options. In the 2019 paper, geography and history matches could often be solved using this "single-link" method.
  • Scientific Logic: In Science MCQs, if two options are diametrically opposite (e.g., "Frequency increases" and "Frequency decreases"), there is a 90% chance that one of them is the correct answer.
  • When to Guess? Only use "Intelligent Guessing" if you can eliminate two options. If you have no idea about any option, skip it. The -1.33 penalty is too harsh to play a pure gambling game.

Current Affairs Integration

The 2019 paper proved that Current Affairs is not a standalone subject; it is a lens through which static subjects are viewed. For example, a question on a specific island in Geography might be asked because it was in the news due to a maritime dispute.

To build a daily habit, I recommend the "30-30-30" Rule:

  1. 30 minutes of newspaper reading (focus on Headlines and Editorial).
  2. 30 minutes of a monthly compilation (like Vision IAS or GK Today).
  3. 30 minutes of solving Current Affairs MCQs online.

Magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra are excellent for building an opinion, which helps in the SSB interview later, but for the GAT written paper, stick to factual compilations and the PIB (Press Information Bureau) summaries for government schemes.

Smart Preparation Tips

Whether you have 6 months or a year, your approach should be "Phase-based."

The 6-Month Plan:

  • Months 1-3: Focus on Science and History. These comprise over 60% of the paper. Complete your NCERTs and make short, one-page notes.
  • Months 4-5: Shift to Geography, Polity, and Current Affairs. Start solving topic-wise tests.
  • Month 6: Full-length mock tests every 3 days. Focus on the "Analysis" of the mock test more than the score. If you got a question wrong, was it a 'silly mistake,' a 'lack of knowledge,' or a 'conceptual error'?

Revision Techniques:

Use Active Recall and Spaced Repetition. Instead of reading a chapter five times, read it once and then try to write down everything you remember on a blank sheet of paper. For Science formulas and History dates, use Flashcards or apps like Anki.

Test Series Recommendation:

Join a test series that provides detailed explanations. The goal of a mock test is to expose your weaknesses in a controlled environment so you don't face them for the first time in the exam hall.

Key Takeaways & Action Items

The NDA II 2019 General Ability Test was a balanced yet challenging paper that rewarded students with a wide breadth of knowledge and deep conceptual clarity. If we look at the data, the path to success is clear.

Summary of Priority Topics:

  • Science: Physics (Optics, Electricity), Chemistry (Daily life), Biology (Cell, Diseases).
  • History: Indian Culture and the National Movement.
  • Geography: Physical Geography (Atmosphere, Earth's structure).
  • GK: Awards, Sports, and Important International Events.

Top 5 Books to Prioritize:

  1. NCERT Science (Class 9 & 10)
  2. Spectrum - Modern History (Rajiv Ahir)
  3. NCERT Geography (Class 11 - Physical)
  4. M. Laxmikanth - Indian Polity (Selected Chapters)
  5. Fine Arts NCERT (Class 11 - for Culture)

Immediate Next Steps: Start by downloading the NDA II 2019 original question paper. Set a timer for 2.5 hours and solve it without any help. This will give you a "Baseline Score." Analyze which of the sections mentioned above was your weakest. Don't be discouraged by a low score; be encouraged by the fact that you now have a data-driven map to improve. The journey to Khadakwasla is long and arduous, but with a strategic approach to the GAT, you are already halfway there. Jai Hind!

Complete Question Index - NDA II General Ability Test 2019

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

Q#SubjectPractice Link
1GeographySolve Question 1
2Science & TechnologySolve Question 2
3Science & TechnologySolve Question 3
4History & CultureSolve Question 4
5Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 5
6Science & TechnologySolve Question 6
7History & CultureSolve Question 7
8Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 8
9Science & TechnologySolve Question 9
10CUL-02Solve Question 10
11Science & TechnologySolve Question 11
12Science & TechnologySolve Question 12
13Science & TechnologySolve Question 13
14History & CultureSolve Question 14
15Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 15
16Science & TechnologySolve Question 16
17EconomySolve Question 17
18Science & TechnologySolve Question 18
19Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 19
20Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 20
21GeographySolve Question 21
22GeographySolve Question 22
23History & CultureSolve Question 23
24Science & TechnologySolve Question 24
25Science & TechnologySolve Question 25
26Science & TechnologySolve Question 26
27Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 27
28Science & TechnologySolve Question 28
29Science & TechnologySolve Question 29
30Science & TechnologySolve Question 30
31Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 31
32History & CultureSolve Question 32
33Science & TechnologySolve Question 33
34History & CultureSolve Question 34
35ENGSolve Question 35
36History & CultureSolve Question 36
37History & CultureSolve Question 37
38Science & TechnologySolve Question 38
39Science & TechnologySolve Question 39
40History & CultureSolve Question 40
41History & CultureSolve Question 41
42ENGSolve Question 42
43Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 43
44History & CultureSolve Question 44
45History & CultureSolve Question 45
46History & CultureSolve Question 46
47Science & TechnologySolve Question 47
48Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 48
49Science & TechnologySolve Question 49
50Science & TechnologySolve Question 50
51GeographySolve Question 51
52Science & TechnologySolve Question 52
53Science & TechnologySolve Question 53
54Science & TechnologySolve Question 54
55History & CultureSolve Question 55
56EconomySolve Question 56
57GeographySolve Question 57
58Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 58
59Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 59
60Science & TechnologySolve Question 60
61ENGSolve Question 61
62Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 62
63Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 63
64History & CultureSolve Question 64
65History & CultureSolve Question 65
66History & CultureSolve Question 66
67Science & TechnologySolve Question 67
68Science & TechnologySolve Question 68
69Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 69
70GeographySolve Question 70
71History & CultureSolve Question 71
72Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 72
73Science & TechnologySolve Question 73
74Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 74
75GeographySolve Question 75
76Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 76
77Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 77
78GeographySolve Question 78
79History & CultureSolve Question 79
80Science & TechnologySolve Question 80
81Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 81
82History & CultureSolve Question 82
83History & CultureSolve Question 83
84GeographySolve Question 84
85Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 85
86Science & TechnologySolve Question 86
87History & CultureSolve Question 87
88Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 88
89Science & TechnologySolve Question 89
90History & CultureSolve Question 90
91EconomySolve Question 91
92History & CultureSolve Question 92
93Science & TechnologySolve Question 93
94Science & TechnologySolve Question 94
95Science & TechnologySolve Question 95
96Science & TechnologySolve Question 96
97Science & TechnologySolve Question 97
98Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 98
99GeographySolve Question 99
100Science & TechnologySolve Question 100
101Science & TechnologySolve Question 101
102Science & TechnologySolve Question 102
103History & CultureSolve Question 103
104Science & TechnologySolve Question 104
105History & CultureSolve Question 105
106GeographySolve Question 106
107EconomySolve Question 107
108History & CultureSolve Question 108
109History & CultureSolve Question 109
110Science & TechnologySolve Question 110
111Science & TechnologySolve Question 111
112Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 112
113History & CultureSolve Question 113
114History & CultureSolve Question 114
115Science & TechnologySolve Question 115
116ENGSolve Question 116
117Science & TechnologySolve Question 117
118GeographySolve Question 118
119Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 119
120History & CultureSolve Question 120
121GeographySolve Question 121
122Science & TechnologySolve Question 122
123History & CultureSolve Question 123
124History & CultureSolve Question 124
125Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 125
126GeographySolve Question 126
127EconomySolve Question 127
128History & CultureSolve Question 128
129Science & TechnologySolve Question 129
130GeographySolve Question 130
131Science & TechnologySolve Question 131
132Environment & EcologySolve Question 132
133History & CultureSolve Question 133
134Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 134
135Science & TechnologySolve Question 135
136History & CultureSolve Question 136
137Science & TechnologySolve Question 137
138Science & TechnologySolve Question 138
139EconomySolve Question 139
140Science & TechnologySolve Question 140
141Science & TechnologySolve Question 141
142History & CultureSolve Question 142
143History & CultureSolve Question 143
144Environment & EcologySolve Question 144
145Science & TechnologySolve Question 145
146Science & TechnologySolve Question 146
147Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 147
148GeographySolve Question 148
149History & CultureSolve Question 149

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