Tips to clear UPSC NDA examination
To induct eligible aspirants into National Defence Academy (NDA), joint defence service training institute of the Indian Armed Forces, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) organises a national-level entrance exam. Qualifying for the NDA entrance exam along with a subsequent interview conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB) is a must for aspirants to get recommended for admission into the NDA. With growing interest among young folks in joining the armed forces and lakhs of applications every year, the competitive landscape in the NDA exam is increasing steadily.
Highlights of the exam
The NDA exam is conducted twice a year by the UPSC.
All 10+2 qualified or appearing male and female aspirants within the specified age limit are eligible to take the NDA exam.
The NDA selection process is multifarious, comprising a written test at the preliminary stage followed by an SSB interview and the medical examination.
The written exam consists of only objective-type questions mainly from two papers, Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). GAT also includes a section of English carrying 50 questions.
The Math paper contains 120 questions carrying a total of 300 marks, whereas the GAT paper contains 150 questions carrying a total of 600 marks including English
There is also the provision of negative marking in the NDA written exam.
Shortlisted candidates are examined for medical fitness before getting the final recommendation to join the NDA.
Suggestions for success
NDA aspirants must invest a good amount of time in holistic preparation for both the written exam and the SSB interview, as both stages of the selection process are equally significant in deciding the candidates final recommendation. Follow the given strategies to ace the NDA exam with flying colours.
Brush up your General Knowledge General knowledge opens
up several avenues for NDA aspirants, as it is required for both the written test and the SSB interview. It enables candidates to develop their social, intellectual, and analytical thinking abilities from the beginning, which facilitates the development of their perspective.
The General Ability Test (GAT) paper includes objective questions mainly from English, Physics, Chemistry, General Science, History, Geography, and current events. GAT is of 600 marks where each question is of 4 marks with 1.33 marks of negative marking. Current affairs are of utmost significance from the examination perspective thus candidates should pay attention to reading newspapers, making important notes, and revising them properly.
Focus on topics like vocabulary, reading comprehension, spotting errors, and para jumbles to score well in the English section. It is a substantial part of the GAT and it comprises 50 questions out of a total of 150 questions asked in the test.
Focus on Mathematics
Mathematics paper includes Algebra, Differential Calculus, Matrices and Determinants, Trigonometry, Analytical Geometry - 2D and 3D, Vector Algebra, Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Statistics and Probability.
There are a total of 120 questions asked in the Mathematics paper where 2.5 marks are awarded for every right answer marked by a candidate and .83 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. Most of the topics in Mathematics are covered from the class XII Mathematics syllabus, hence, candidates must focus on conceptualising their base with an assessment of strong and weak areas of preparation.
The candidates should make short notes on important topics and formulae of Mathematics to revise them promptly and develop a practical approach to solve the questions. For a better understanding of the nature and type of the questions asked in the actual exam, a candidate must also solve the previous years' papers which are of vital importance.
Do not overlook the SSB Interview
The SSB Interview assesses and evaluates an individual's intelligence, mental alertness, distinct personality traits, and the presence of officer-like attributes.
Since the SSB interview is a crucial stage in a candidate's final recommendation, it is necessary to devote a significant amount of time to SSB interview preparation under the guidance of a qualified mentor.
A candidate's primary areas for a great performance during the SSB interview are inducting officer-like abilities, having an optimistic attitude and good communication skills, building team spirit, and the feeling of cooperation for confronting the group obstacle.
Communication skills and physical robustness
Candidates should also improve their observation skills and problem-solving abilities so that they can handle a range of situations with confidence. To be an effective leader, aspirants should concentrate on honing their oratory skills, which include the ability to effectively articulate ideas, impart confidence and enthusiasm, and encourage others.
Since physical and medical fitness is of utmost importance for candidates aspiring to join military and defence services, so candidates are advised to focus on taking good care of their health and fitness by running and meditating on a regular basis.
(The author is director founder of Centurion Defence Academy)
From - The Times of India
Published on - 1st November 2021
