NDA II General Ability Test 2021: Complete Question Paper Analysis & Preparation Strategy

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Subject-wise Distribution

SubjectQuestionsPercentage
Science & Technology5151%
Geography1515%
History & Culture1010%
Polity & Governance99%
Miscellaneous & General Knowledge66%
International Relations & Global Affairs44%
Economy33%
Environment & Ecology22%

Topic-wise Breakdown

SubjectTopicQuestions
Science & TechnologyBasic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)48
GeographyWorld Physical Geography8
History & CultureNational Movement (1857–1947)5
History & CultureModern India (Pre-1857)4
Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSports, Games & Awards3
Polity & GovernanceFundamental Rights, DPSP & Fundamental Duties3
Polity & GovernanceConstitutional Basics & Evolution3
GeographyIndian Economic Geography3
Miscellaneous & General KnowledgePersons in News, Books & Authors2
EconomyAgriculture & Rural Economy2
GeographyIndian Physical Geography2
International Relations & Global AffairsInternational Organisations & Groupings2
International Relations & Global AffairsIndia's Bilateral & Regional Relations2
Science & TechnologyBiotechnology & Health2
Environment & EcologyBiodiversity & Protected Areas2

The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination is more than just an entry-level test; it is the gateway to a prestigious career in the Indian Armed Forces. Among its various components, the General Ability Test (GAT) stands as the ultimate decider of merit. The NDA II 2021 GAT paper remains a landmark in the history of UPSC-conducted examinations for its unique blend of traditional static questions and a heavy emphasis on conceptual clarity. For any serious aspirant, analyzing this specific paper is not just an academic exercise—it is a strategic necessity to decode the mindset of the UPSC examiner.

The 2021 iteration of the NDA II GAT consisted of 150 questions in total (including English), but our focus today is on the General Studies section comprising 100 questions. With 4 marks awarded for every correct answer and a penalty of 1.33 for every wrong one, the stakes are incredibly high. This paper was characterized by a massive tilt toward the sciences, a focused approach to Modern History, and a nuanced take on Geography. Understanding why these shifts happened and how to master the topics that dominated the 2021 landscape is your first step toward wearing the uniform.

2. Subject-wise Deep Dive

Science & Technology: The Powerhouse (51 Questions)

In NDA II 2021, Science didn’t just play a part; it dominated the stage with 51% of the total questions. The bulk of these (48 questions) were rooted in Basic Science—Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. This indicates that for UPSC, the "General" in General Science means a deep, conceptual understanding of the world around us, rather than rote memorization of facts.

  • What appeared: Physics focused on Optics, Electricity, and Mechanics. Chemistry saw questions on chemical reactions, periodic table properties, and everyday chemistry. Biology emphasized cell structure and human physiology.
  • Recommended Books: The gold standard remains the NCERT Textbooks for Classes 9 and 10. For Physics, specific chapters from Class 11 and 12 (like Ray Optics and Current Electricity) are essential.
  • Standard Sources: Lucent’s General Science can serve as a quick revision tool, but it cannot replace the conceptual depth of NCERTs.
  • Common Mistakes: Ignoring the "Application" part. Aspirants often memorize the formula for refractive index but fail to apply it to a conceptual question about why a pool appears shallower than it is.

Geography: The Spatial Context (15 Questions)

Geography accounted for 15% of the paper, with a heavy skew toward World Physical Geography (8 questions). This section tested students on atmospheric layers, ocean currents, and landforms.

  • What appeared: Beyond World Geography, Indian Economic Geography (3 questions) focused on resources and industries.
  • Recommended Books: 'Certificate Physical and Human Geography' by Goh Cheng Leong is indispensable for physical geography. For the Indian context, NCERT Class 11 (India: Physical Environment) is the bible.
  • Common Mistakes: Attempting Geography without maps. Many students try to "read" Geography like a novel. If you aren't looking at an atlas while studying ocean currents, you are preparing to fail.

History & Culture: The Modern Tilt (10 Questions)

History in 2021 was remarkably focused. Out of 10 questions, 5 were dedicated to the National Movement (1857–1947) and 4 to Modern India (Pre-1857). This means 90% of the history section was Modern History.

  • What appeared: Questions on the Revolt of 1857, Gandhian Era movements, and British administrative policies.
  • Recommended Books: 'A Brief History of Modern India' by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir) is the most concise resource. For a narrative understanding, Bipin Chandra’s 'India’s Struggle for Independence' is excellent.
  • Standard Sources: Tamil Nadu State Board Class 11 and 12 History books are often cited by toppers for their clarity and factual accuracy.
  • Common Mistakes: Spending too much time on Ancient and Medieval dynasties. While they are part of the syllabus, the 2021 trend shows that your ROI (Return on Investment) is highest in Modern History.

Polity & Governance: The Framework (9 Questions)

Polity was concise but conceptual. The focus was on the pillars of the Constitution.

  • What appeared: Fundamental Rights, DPSP, and Fundamental Duties (3 questions) and Constitutional Basics (3 questions).
  • Recommended Books: 'Indian Polity' by M. Laxmikanth. You don't need to read the whole book; focus on the first 25 chapters.
  • Standard Sources: 'Our Constitution' by Subhash Kashyap is great for understanding the "spirit" of the law.
  • Common Mistakes: Memorizing Article numbers without understanding the underlying principle. UPSC often asks "Why" a right is fundamental, not just "Which" article it is.

3. Topic Trends & Pattern Analysis

The NDA II 2021 paper revealed a significant shift in the examiner's mindset. The most glaring trend was the "Science-Heavy" approach. By allocating over 50% of the marks to Science, the UPSC signaled that it values candidates with a strong analytical and logical temperament. This is a departure from older patterns where History and Geography held equal weightage with Science.

Another emerging trend is the "Thematic Concentration." Instead of spreading questions thinly across the entire syllabus, the 2021 paper went deep into specific themes. For example, in History, the focus was almost exclusively on the National Movement. In Geography, World Physical Geography took the lead. This tells us that the examiner is looking for "depth of knowledge" rather than "breadth of acquaintance."

Compared to general UPSC patterns (like CSE or CDS), the NDA II 2021 paper remained more "fact-cum-concept" oriented. While CSE is heavily analytical, NDA still requires you to know specific names, dates, and chemical formulas, but with a twist of logic. The examiner's mindset shifted toward testing the candidate's ability to relate textbook knowledge to real-world phenomena, especially in the Miscellaneous and Science sections.

4. Preparation Strategy

To conquer a paper like NDA II 2021, your preparation must be surgical. Here is a subject-wise allocation and resource guide:

Time Allocation (Weekly 40 Hours)

  • Science (Physics/Chem/Bio): 12 Hours. Given its 51% weightage, this should take up the lion's share of your time.
  • Geography & Environment: 8 Hours. Focus on map-pointing and physical phenomena.
  • History: 6 Hours. Prioritize the 1857–1947 timeline.
  • Polity & Economy: 6 Hours. Focus on the Preamble, Rights, and Basic Economic terms.
  • Current Affairs & Misc: 8 Hours. Daily reading is non-negotiable.

Resource Directory

  • Polity: Stick to Laxmikanth. Focus on the 'System of Government' and 'Central Government' sections.
  • History: Use the Tamil Nadu State Board books for a quick overview, then solidify with Spectrum’s Modern History.
  • Geography: NCERT Class 11 'Fundamentals of Physical Geography' is your most important book. Supplement with G.C. Leong for climate chapters.
  • Economy: Don't over-prepare. Read the 'Macroeconomics' NCERT (Class 12) and follow the latest Union Budget highlights from the Economic Survey summary.
  • Environment: Shankar IAS Academy’s book is the industry standard. Focus on 'Climate Change' and 'Protected Area Networks.'
  • Current Affairs: Read 'The Hindu' or 'The Indian Express' daily. Use the PIB (Press Information Bureau) website for government schemes.

Using PYQs (Previous Year Questions)

Don't just solve PYQs; analyze them. When you see a question on the 'Fundamental Rights' in the 2021 paper, go back to your textbook and see which other rights were mentioned in the options. UPSC often picks options from previous years and turns them into questions for the next year.

5. Answer Elimination Techniques

In a high-stakes exam like NDA, what you don't know shouldn't stop you from getting the right answer. Elimination is an art form.

  • The "Extreme Words" Rule: In statement-based questions, words like "Only," "All," "Never," or "Always" often indicate a wrong statement. Constitutional provisions and scientific laws usually have exceptions.
  • Match the Following: You don't need to know all four pairs. Usually, identifying one sure-shot pair allows you to eliminate two or three options immediately. In the 2021 paper, this was highly effective in the Geography and History sections.
  • The "Common Sense" Filter: Especially in Science, if an option seems physically impossible or contradicts a basic law (like the Law of Conservation of Energy), discard it immediately.
  • When to Guess: Only use "Calculated Risk" if you can eliminate two options. If you are choosing between four, the mathematical probability is against you. If you can narrow it down to two, the 50/50 chance is worth taking over the course of the paper.

6. Current Affairs Integration

The 2021 paper showed that Current Affairs is the "glue" that binds the static syllabus. For instance, a question on a specific island in Geography is often prompted by a news event involving that island. In 2021, the Miscellaneous section (6%) and International Relations (4%) were heavily driven by the news cycle.

  • Linking Static to Dynamic: If you read about the "President's Rule" in the news, immediately open Laxmikanth and read Article 356. This is how the 2021 paper was structured—testing the static root of a dynamic fruit.
  • Magazine Recommendations: 'Yojana' is excellent for understanding government perspectives on social issues. 'Pratiyogita Darpan' or 'Civil Services Chronicle' can provide the factual data needed for the "Sports and Awards" section (3 questions in 2021).
  • Daily Habits: Spend 45 minutes every morning with a newspaper. Note down "Persons in News" and "Books & Authors," as these appeared twice in the 2021 Misc section.

7. Smart Preparation Tips

Whether you have 6 months or a year, your approach must be structured. The "Scientific Method" of preparation involves Plan, Execute, Test, and Revise.

The 6-Month Sprint

  • Months 1-3: Concept building. Finish all NCERTs (Science and Geo) and Modern History.
  • Months 4-5: Subject-specific depth. Read Laxmikanth and Spectrum. Start taking weekly sectional tests.
  • Month 6: Revision and Full-Length Mocks. Do not read anything new in the last 20 days.

Revision Techniques

Use the Active Recall and Spaced Repetition method. Instead of re-reading a chapter, close the book and try to write down the 10 most important points from memory. Use flashcards for chemical formulas and historical dates.

Test Series & Analysis

Joining a test series is mandatory, but the "Analysis" is where the growth happens. After every mock, categorize your mistakes into three buckets: 1. Lack of Knowledge (didn't know the topic), 2. Silly Mistake (knew it but marked wrong), 3. Logical Error (elimination went wrong). Work on Bucket 2 and 3 first.

8. Key Takeaways & Action Items

The NDA II 2021 paper is a testament to the fact that UPSC is moving away from "rote learning" and toward "conceptual application." If you master the fundamentals of Science and the nuances of the Indian National Movement, you have already cleared half the hurdle.

Summary of Priority Topics:

  • Science: Optics, Electricity, Periodic Table, Cell Biology.
  • History: Freedom Struggle (1915–1947).
  • Geography: Latitudes, Longitudes, Ocean Currents, and Indian Physical Map.
  • Polity: Fundamental Rights and the Preamble.

Top 5 Books to Prioritize:

  1. NCERT Science (Class 9 & 10)
  2. NCERT Geography (Class 11 - Fundamentals of Physical Geography)
  3. Spectrum’s Modern History
  4. M. Laxmikanth’s Indian Polity
  5. Oxford Student Atlas (for Map-based questions)

Immediate Next Steps: Download the NDA II 2021 GAT original paper today. Set a timer for 2.5 hours and solve it without any help. This will give you a "Base Line" of where you stand. Once you have your score, use this analysis to plug the gaps in your knowledge. The road to Khadakwasla is long, but with a map like this analysis, you are already miles ahead of the competition. Start today, stay consistent, and the uniform will be yours.

Complete Question Index - NDA II General Ability Test 2021

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

Q#SubjectPractice Link
1Science & TechnologySolve Question 1
2GeographySolve Question 2
3GeographySolve Question 3
4GeographySolve Question 4
5GeographySolve Question 5
6Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 6
7Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 7
8Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 8
9Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 9
10Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 10
11Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 11
12Environment & EcologySolve Question 12
13Science & TechnologySolve Question 13
14GeographySolve Question 14
15GeographySolve Question 15
16GeographySolve Question 16
17GeographySolve Question 17
18Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 18
19Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 19
20Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 20
21History & CultureSolve Question 21
22History & CultureSolve Question 22
23History & CultureSolve Question 23
24GeographySolve Question 24
25EconomySolve Question 25
26GeographySolve Question 26
27GeographySolve Question 27
28GeographySolve Question 28
29History & CultureSolve Question 29
30History & CultureSolve Question 30
31History & CultureSolve Question 31
32History & CultureSolve Question 32
33History & CultureSolve Question 33
34GeographySolve Question 34
35GeographySolve Question 35
36EconomySolve Question 36
37EconomySolve Question 37
38Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 38
39History & CultureSolve Question 39
40History & CultureSolve Question 40
41Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 41
42Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 42
43International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 43
44Environment & EcologySolve Question 44
45Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 45
46International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 46
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48Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 48
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