nda-previous-year-question-papers

NDA Previous Year Question Papers (From 2016 to 2025) for 2026 Exam Preparation

The UPSC holds the NDA Written Exam twice a year, and the upcoming NDA 1 & 2 Exams for 2026 are expected to draw a countless number of aspirants. The exam is divided into two papers: Maths and the General Ability Test, or GAT. Solving the NDA Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) is one of the best ways to prepare for the exam.

The NDA Previous Year Question Papers give an idea about the level of difficulty, key topics, and format of questions. The papers also give an idea about your weaknesses as well as strengths, which play a significant role in preparing for an exam.

NDA Previous Year Question Papers PDF

Before proceeding to the preparation part, let’s understand the pattern of the examination. Alongside preparation books for the NDA examination, doing last year’s papers can give you valuable insight into what kinds of questions and what difficulty level are being asked.

Below is a comprehensive list of NDA Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) for GAT and Mathematics.

NDA General Ability Test (GAT) Previous Year Papers

The General Ability Test evaluates your understanding of subjects such as English, general knowledge, history, geography, current affairs, and science. Practising these papers will increase your level of confidence to attempt GK questions.

YearNDA PYQs (GAT)PDF 
2025NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF Download
2025NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IPDF Download
2024NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF Download
2024NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IPDF Download
2023NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF Download
2023NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IPDF Download
2022NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF Download
2022NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IPDF Download
2021NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF Download
2021NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IPDF Download
2020NDA Previous Year Papers GAT I & IIPDF Download
2019NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF Download
2019NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IPDF Download
2018NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF Download
2018NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IPDF Download
2017NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF Download
2017NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IPDF Download
2016NDA Previous Year Papers GAT IIPDF 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)

PDF

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

Benefits of Solving NDA Previous Year Papers

Using NDA Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) can transform your preparation if done systematically. Here’s why they are so valuable:

1. Familiarity with Exam Pattern

The NDA exam consists of two papers that are conducted for 2.5 hours each. Mathematics consists of 120 questions, while GAT has 150 questions. PYQs give an efficient and correct idea of how to solve a paper within a limited time and how the marking scheme works, reducing surprises at the examination.

2. Understanding Question Style

The questions in the NDA test your understanding of the concept and problem-solving skills. PYQs lets you understand the types of questions, the difficulty level, the recurring topics, and so on, to help you in attempting the examination with confidence.

3. Identification of Important Topics

Previous year paper analysis gives the high-priority areas, and in Maths, algebra, calculus, and vectors are repeated topics. For GAT, focus on current affairs, general science, and Indian history.

4. Improvement in Time Management

Practising PYQs under a simulated timing condition trains you on how to pace yourself, so that you can complete both papers within the time available.

5. Boost in Problem-Solving Skills

Different types of questions, from simple to complex, help develop analysis techniques and increase the pace of response.

6. Reduction of Exam Anxiety

Familiarity with the exam reduces fear of the unknown. Practice helps develop confidence and a positive attitude.

7. Exposure to Real Exam Conditions

Timed practices work as a simulation for the actual test experience to build endurance for test-taking performance.

Recommended NDA Exam Preparation Books

How to Prepare for NDA 2026 with PYQs

Here is a step-by-step plan to effectively utilise the NDA previous year papers:

  1. Collect the Right Resources: For this purpose, you will need the PDF files of NDA PYQs for Maths and GAT from 2016 to September 2025.
  2. Identify Key Areas: This is achieved by analysing previous year question papers to identify areas of repeated questions, which are of higher weightage.
  3. Establish a Study Routine: Include PYQs in your timetable along with theory learning. Regular revision is key.
  4. Practice with Purpose: Solve papers under exam conditions to get used to time pressure and question style.
  5. Review Mistakes Carefully: Mistakes should be carefully analysed to identify the conceptual loopholes.

Target Your Weaknesses: Give more emphasis to those areas in which you face difficulty in understanding.

How Centurion Defence Academy Can Boost Your NDA 2026 Preparation

Although solving previous year papers is a must, expert advice can be a great help. Centurion Defence Academy offers coaching facilities for NDA aspirants to help you learn Maths and GAT effectively.

See how Centurion Defence Academy helps in NDA preparation:

  • Expert Mentorship: Get mentored by seasoned teachers with an in-depth understanding of NDA exam trends.
  • Structured PYQ Practice: The solutions to the previous year’s questions are accessible, spanning from 2016 to 2025, and are analysed topic-wise.
  • Time Management & Exam Strategy: Practice with time constraints to improve accuracy levels.
  • Comprehensive Study Material: High-quality study materials, textbooks, and test papers are available to help you ace the NDA examination.
  • Personalised Guidance: Point out areas of improvement and provide a personalised recommendation for best performance.

With the help of Centurion Defence Academy’s advice on how to prepare for the NDA 2026 exam and consistent practice on NDA PYQs, you can face the NDA 2026 exam with confidence, clarity, and a winning strategy.

Conclusion

Preparation with NDA previous year papers, ranging from 2016 to September 2025, is one of the most effective ways to prepare for the NDA exam in 2026. With good book study and expert coaching and training from Centurion Defence Academy, it is an ideal way to get confidence, speed, and accuracy to crack the exam with ease.

NDA Previous Year Papers FAQs

The NDA exam is held twice a year, generally in April and September. Just be sure to check the dates on the official UPSC website.

They provide clarity about exam patterns, types of questions, and frequently asked topic questions so you can prepare smartly.

You can download PYQs from authentic UPSC websites and trustworthy sites like Centurion Defence Academy. The downloads will be done in PDF form.

Exact questions are rarely repeated, but similar concepts and patterns appear frequently.

Begin solving PYQs after completing basic syllabus coverage, ideally 6–8 months before the exam.

Comments (3)

  • javhd hay January 14, 2026

    I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles

    Reply

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