NDA 1 2025 GAT Paper Analysis – NCA Academy
NDA 1 2025 GAT Paper Analysis – NCA Academy
On April 13, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) held the NDA 1 2025 exam, drawing thousands of prospective cadets from all around India. Math and the General Ability Test (GAT) are the two main components of this esteemed exam. The GAT paper is particularly important since it assesses a candidate’s proficiency in English, General Knowledge, Science, and Current Affairs. We at NCA Academy have carefully read the paper to offer a thorough analysis that will assist aspiring candidates in streamlining their study plan.
We’ll examine the paper’s format, degree of difficulty, subject distribution, and implications for NDA 2 2025 candidates in this thorough analysis.
An outline of the GAT paper
The NDA exam’s General Ability Test accounts for a substantial 600 of the 900 possible points. It is divided into two main parts:
Part A of English: 200 points
Part B: General Knowledge: 400 points
This section of the test assesses a candidate’s knowledge of general science, history, geography, current affairs, and even some fundamental physics and chemistry subjects in addition to their English language skills. Time allotted for the paper is 2.5 hours, and candidates must be careful as it carries negative marking—1.33 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
Section A: English Paper Analysis (200 Marks)
The English portion this year was of moderate difficulty. Candidates familiar with grammatical rules and reading comprehension techniques found this section manageable. The focus was clearly on assessing language skills, vocabulary usage, and sentence construction.
Topics and Weightage:
Topic | Approx. Questions | Difficulty Level |
Spotting Errors | 10 | Easy |
Synonyms/Antonyms | 10 | Easy to Moderate |
Ordering of Sentences | 10 | Moderate |
Idioms & Phrases | 10 | Easy |
Reading Comprehension | 10 | Moderate |
There were no unexpected question types, and the majority of the questions were from the anticipated categories. Although the reading comprehension passages were brief, accurate answers required careful reading.
Key Takeaway: With regular practice, candidates can easily earn 120–140 marks in this section if they have a broad vocabulary and a firm grasp of grammar.
Section B: Analysis of the General Knowledge Paper (400 Marks)
Due mainly to its extensive syllabus, this component was comparatively more difficult than the English section. There were questions from a variety of subjects in the General Knowledge portion, including physics, chemistry, general science, history, geography, and current affairs. Although the parts on physics and history shone out in terms of both amount and complexity, the distribution of questions seemed to be reasonably equitable.
ubject-Wise Breakdown:
Subject | Approx. Questions | Difficulty Level |
Physics | 25 | Moderate |
Chemistry | 15 | Moderate |
General Science | 10 | Easy to Moderate |
History | 20 | Moderate to Tough |
Geography | 20 | Moderate |
Current Affairs | 10 | Moderate |
NDA 2 2025 tip: Pay attention to conceptual knowledge and don’t neglect basic laws and formulas.
Physics: Rather than focusing on numerical solutions, the problems in Physics tended toward conceptual clarity. This section was simpler for candidates who have studied the updated NCERT Physics for Classes 11 and 12. This portion was dominated by subjects like fundamental electrical, optics, and mechanics.
Chemistry
Chemistry included questions from fundamental organic and inorganic chemistry, most of which were theory-based. It assessed knowledge of facts and fundamental characteristics of bases, acids, elements, and chemical reactions.
Biology
This section, which covered biological and environmental science issues, received the highest score. Fundamental ideas were tested, including human anatomy, illnesses, and ecology.
History
This time, history was more complicated. The questions focused on liberation movements, the evolution of the Indian constitution, and medieval Indian history. In-depth understanding beyond NCERTs was needed.
Geography
The part on geography was balanced. Map-based identification, soil and river types, and climate-based questions were among the questions.
Current affairs
Events from the previous six to eight months were the main subject of current affairs questions. International summits, defense drills, honors, and significant political updates were among the subjects covered.
You can make this area a high-scorer by reading newspapers every day and consulting monthly current affairs capsules.
Level of Difficulty: Overall Perception
It is possible to classify the GAT paper as moderately tough. The General Knowledge component required extensive covering and in-depth comprehension, but the English section provided room for accurate scoring.
English: Predictable and scoring
General Knowledge: Depending on the subject, moderate to difficult
Effective time management is essential, particularly when alternating between GK and English topics.
What This Means for Applicants for UPSC NDA 2 2025
If NDA 2 2025 is your goal, the following GAT paper from this cycle offers helpful information:
Make English vocabulary a priority. Consistent performance can be achieved through reading frequently and practicing grammar-based tasks.
Stress NCERT Books: Since NCERT books are the foundation of the GAT syllabus, only use them for history, geography, science, and civics.
Keep Up: Develop the practice of reading both domestic and foreign news every day.
Make a well-rounded study schedule by designating particular days for every GK topic to guarantee covered over time.
Simulated Practice: To increase your accuracy and speed, practice lengthy GAT simulated exams under timed situations.
NCA Academy Professional Advice
At NCA Academy, we think that consistent coaching and targeted preparation can make all the difference. Experts who select our GAT modules simplify difficult ideas into lessons that are simple to grasp. We make sure every student is prepared for the NDA with specialized test series, current events seminars, and one-on-one mentoring.
Our approach consists of:
GAT tests every week
Specialized boot camps for English grammar
Subject-specific video lectures
Daily summary of current events
Individualized sessions for clearing up doubts