The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of the most prestigious defence entrance exams in India.
NDA 1 2026 Study Plan (GAT GK)
The National Defence Academy (NDA) exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), is one of the most prestigious defence entrance exams in India. It provides young aspirants an opportunity to join the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force as officers. The NDA 1 2026 exam will test candidates’ knowledge, intelligence, and aptitude across various subjects — and one of the most important sections is General Ability Test (GAT), especially the General Knowledge (GK) portion.
This article provides a comprehensive study plan for the GAT GK section to help aspirants prepare smartly and score high in NDA 1 2026.
Overview of GAT (General Ability Test)
| Sections | Subjects Covered | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | English | 200 |
| Part B | General Knowledge (GK) | 400 |
| Total | 600 Marks |
The GK portion (Part B) consists of questions from:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- General Science
- History
- Geography
- Current Affairs
Detailed NDA 1 2026 GK Study Plan (Month-Wise)
Phase 1: Foundation Building (October – December 2024)
Goal: Cover NCERT basics from Classes 6 to 10 and start building static GK knowledge.
Subjects & Focus:
- Physics: Motion, Laws of Motion, Gravitation, Work & Energy, Heat, Light, and Sound (NCERT 9–10).
- Chemistry: Atomic structure, Chemical reactions, Metals & Non-metals, Acids-Bases-Salts.
- Biology: Cell structure, Nutrition, Reproduction, Human Body Systems.
- History: Ancient and Medieval India – Mauryan, Gupta, Mughal, British periods.
- Geography: India’s physical features, rivers, climate, and resources.
- Current Affairs: Monthly news from October onwards.
Tip: Read NCERTs + Lucent GK regularly and make short notes.
Phase 2: Concept Strengthening (January – February 2025)
Goal: Start practicing topic-wise MCQs and short revisions.
Subjects & Focus:
- Physics: Electricity, Magnetism, Modern Physics.
- Chemistry: Organic & Inorganic compounds, Periodic Table trends.
- Biology: Plant & Animal classification, Ecosystems.
- History: Indian Freedom Struggle (1857–1947).
- Geography: World Geography, Important latitudes & longitudes.
- Current Affairs: National & International news (past 6 months).
Tip: Revise Arihant NDA GK book and solve previous year questions (PYQs) daily.
Phase 3: Advanced Practice (March – April 2025)
Goal: Strengthen static GK, science concepts, and practice timed mock tests.
Subjects & Focus:
- Science & Tech: ISRO, DRDO, missiles, space programs.
- Defence GK: Commands, exercises, ranks, and regiments.
- Indian Polity: Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Parliament, Judiciary.
- Economy: Basic concepts – GDP, Budget, Banking, Five-Year Plans.
- Environment: Wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, environmental acts.
Tip: Attempt full-length mock tests twice a week to improve speed and accuracy.
Phase 4: Final Revision (May 2025 – Exam Month)
Goal: Focus entirely on revision, short notes, and current affairs.
Tasks:
- Revise all static GK notes (History, Geography, Polity).
- Practice 1000+ MCQs from mock tests.
- Read monthly current affairs magazines (Defence, Sports, Awards, Science, International).
- Go through Defence-specific updates like exercises, deals, appointments, and missile tests.
Tip: Avoid new books in the last month. Focus on retention and accuracy.
Important Books & Resources for GAT GK
- NCERTs (Class 6–10) – Basic foundation for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History & Geography.
- Lucent’s General Knowledge – Comprehensive one-book solution.
- Arihant NDA Pathfinder – Practice book for GK and full-length papers.
- Manorama Yearbook / GK Today Monthly Magazine – Current Affairs.
- Defence Current Affairs by SSBCrack / DDE / Adda247 – Defence-specific updates.
Weekly Study Schedule (Sample)
| Day | Subject | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Physics | Mechanics, Heat, Sound |
| Tuesday | Chemistry | Atomic Structure, Reactions |
| Wednesday | Biology | Human Body & Ecology |
| Thursday | History | Ancient & Modern India |
| Friday | Geography | India & World |
| Saturday | Polity / Current Affairs | Constitution & News |
| Sunday | Mock Test + Revision | Full-length GAT Paper |
Current Affairs Topics to Focus for NDA 1 2026
- Defence Exercises & Inductions (Agni, BrahMos, INS ships, etc.)
- Space Missions (ISRO Updates, Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan, Aditya L1)
- National & International Summits (G20, BRICS, SCO)
- Awards & Honours (Padma Awards, Nobel Prizes)
- Government Schemes & Economic Developments
- Sports Achievements (Olympics, Cricket, etc.)
Final Tips for GAT GK Success
- Revise short notes every weekend.
- Solve at least 10 previous year papers.
- Keep a separate current affairs notebook.
- Focus on accuracy—negative marking can cost marks.
- Maintain discipline and consistency throughout the preparation.
Conclusion
The General Knowledge portion of the NDA exam can be a game-changer if prepared strategically. By following this NDA 1 2026 GAT GK Study Plan, aspirants can build a strong conceptual base, improve recall, and gain confidence to tackle any type of question in the exam.
With the right strategy, consistent effort, and regular practice, your dream of joining the National Defence Academy is within reach.
