Ultimate guide to prepare for Defence (NDA/IMA)

A career in the Defence Forces as an officer has always had a place of honour and uprightness. Students, after finishing Class XII, can opt to pursue a career in Defence. No UPSC examination is required for this entry. They need to go through National Defence Academy (NDA) or Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Getting into NDA or IMA defines that they are mentally as well as physically active and sound, as all Defence related exams come with the three steps: written examination, medical test and interview.

Written test consists of two papers with objective type of questions followed by intelligence and personality test. Paper 1 has questions from Mathematics and Paper 2 has questions from English and General Knowledge.

The eligibility criteria to apply for these competitive examinations are:

Students in the age group 15 and 18 are eligible to appear for the examination. This exam is only for unmarried male aspirants.

How to prepare for NDA and IMA exams?

Here are a few tips which might help you while preparing for the examination. Apart from studying all the time, students need to keep many others things in mind during preparation.

Know the right syllabus

First of all, get information about the latest syllabus to avoid your last minute wastage of time.

Collect the study material

Buy or borrow the books related to the exam. The books should be from renowned author or the book having the best set of questions asked over some years.

Do smart work, not the hard work

Make notes of the exact syllabus what they are going to asked in the examination

Make a time table and stick to it

Make a routine but don’t make it too tough to follow. When you are at study, give your complete attention to the study.

Give yourself a ‘me time’

We all know that “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, so take some time for relaxation, mind juggling activities to refresh your mind, have some walk or jog. Just do the things you love to do while relaxing.

Meditate yourself

If meditation is the part of your life, it’s good but if it’s still not in your bucket list, start enjoying it, this increases your mental stamina.

Stop guessing

While giving mock test/sample papers, don’t try to guess and answer the question, because if your guess went wrong it will give you negative marks only in return. So, change the habit of guessing with the fact or figures to answer.

Read

The questions asked in the GK section is also from the current affairs, so, read wherever and whenever you can from newspapers, magazines, or you can also watch news channels for current updates.

Start reading about the achievers or meet the person you know personally who have cleared this exam to get some information regarding the test pattern and the interviews.

Enhance your skills and attitude is also a must

Start enhancing your communication skills like read, write, speak; enhance your personality and start behaving and think like an officer.

Last but not the least

Completely fill the form in time to avoid last minute rush and must have photo identity proof with you at the time of written examination, otherwise, all the above-mentioned preparation done by you will go in vain.

Clearing the Civil services is itself a TAG. We wish you all the very best for your examinations who are preparing for civil services.