UPSC NDA & NA 2025 Paper Analysis - Section-wise Difficulty Level, Expected Cutoff, Chapterwise Weightage

Updated By Subhashri Roy on 16 Sep, 2024 15:25

Registration Starts On December 11, 2024

The UPSC NDA 2 2024 exam analysis was published shortly after the exam on September 1, 2024. The exam featured Objective Multiple-Choice Questions in Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) sections. The Mathematics paper was of easy to moderate difficulty. The NDA 1 2024 GAT was easier than the Mathematics paper, with a similar easy to moderate difficulty level.

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UPSC NDA Exam Analysis 2024

The UPSC NDA 2 exam analysis 2024 has been made available promptly after the exam was concluded on September 1, 2024. There are two sections in the UPSC NDA 2024 exam: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). The UPSC NDA 2 2024 exam comprised Objective Multiple-Choice Questions, divided between the Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) sections. The Mathematics section featured 120 questions worth 300 marks, while the GAT section had 150 questions totalling 600 marks. The Mathematics exam was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by the GAT from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The overall difficulty level of the Maths paper was easy to moderate. 

Previously, in the UPSC NDA 1 2024 exam, the General Ability Test (GAT) was relatively easier than the Mathematics paper, with an overall easy to moderate difficulty level, focusing heavily on current affairs. The Mathematics paper mirrored previous years' patterns, covering topics such as Trigonometry, Differential Equations, and Calculus, with some questions similar to those in the JEE Main exam. A good attempt for Mathematics is around 47-52 questions, while 95-105 questions are considered a good attempt for the GAT. 

UPSC NDA 2024 exam analysis entails details such as the students' review, the difficulty level of each paper, types of questions, and so on. Through this, candidates will be able to assess their performance and will also be able to compare it with other examinees. Read the entire article to get more information regarding UPSC NDA exam analysis 2024.

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    Section wise UPSC NDA 1 & 2 Exam Analysis 2024

    The NDA 2 exam 2024 was conducted in a pen-and-paper format with a duration of 2.5 hours. Over the past five years, the overall difficulty level has consistently been rated as moderate. The UPSC NDA 2 2024 exam comprised Objective Multiple-Choice Questions, divided between the Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) sections. The Mathematics section featured 120 questions worth 300 marks, while the GAT section had 150 questions totaling 600 marks. The Mathematics exam was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by the GAT from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    NDA II Exam Analysis 2024 Subject-Wise Difficulty Level

    The table below provides an overview of the average difficulty level and the estimated range of good attempts for each subject. For Mathematics, a good attempt is estimated at 72-88 questions, while for the General Ability Test (GAT), it's 79-90 questions. Both subjects are rated as "Easy to Moderate" in difficulty, indicating that the exam was generally manageable with a mix of straightforward and moderately challenging questions. This analysis provides a benchmark for candidates to assess their performance.

    Subject

    Good Attempts

    Difficulty Level

    Mathematics

    72-88

    Easy to Moderate

    GAT

    79-90

    Easy to Moderate


    UPSC NDA II 2024 Topic-Wise Question Distribution

    The data below details the number of questions asked from various topics in each section, providing valuable insights into the exam's focus areas. This breakdown helps candidates identify the key subjects and topics that were emphasized in the exam, aiding in better preparation and understanding of the overall exam structure.

    No. of Questions Asked in Mathematics Paper

    The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the Mathematics paper, listing the number of questions asked from various topics. This distribution highlights the key areas of focus, such as Integration, Quadratic Equations, and Matrices, helping candidates understand the emphasis placed on each topic in the exam.

    Name of Topics

    Number of Questions Asked

    Integration & its application

    5

    Quadratic equation and cube roots

    6

    3D Geometry

    5

    Inequality and Logarithms

    1

    Vector

    6

    Matrices and Determinants

    9

    Binary

    2

    Binomial theorem

    3

    Circle

    3

    Probability

    3

    Sets Relations and Functions

    7

    Height & Distance

    2

    Trigonometry

    3

    Differentiation & its application

    8

    Permutation and combination

    7

    Differential Equation

    4

    Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

    4

    Static & DI

    6

    Complex number

    2

    Conic Section

    3

    Sequence & Series

    4

    Lines & Angle

    4

    No. of Questions Asked in GAT Paper

    The table below provides a detailed breakdown of the General Ability Test (GAT) paper, highlighting the number of questions asked from various subjects, including Polity, History, Economics, and Biology. This distribution offers insight into the areas of focus within the GAT section, helping candidates understand the weightage of each subject in the exam.

    Name of Subject

    Number of Questions Asked

    Current Affairs

    10

    English

    50

    Geography

    19

    Static GK

    3

    Polity

    3

    Biology

    11

    Physics

    21

    Chemistry

    18

    History

    13

    Economy

    2

    The NDA Paper Analysis 2024 is available here. Candidates can ascertain their score using the NDA paper analysis 2024.

    PaperTotal QuestionsGood AttemptsDifficulty Level
    GAT15095-105Easy to Moderate
    Mathematics12047-52Moderate

    NDA 1 2024 Mathematics Paper Analysis

    The overall difficulty level of the UPSC NDA 1 2024 Mathematics paper was moderate. Candidates who have a strong foundation of concepts will easily score well on the exam. There were some new topics asked in the question paper however the exam pattern and overall structure of the paper were unchanged. Around 8 questions were taken directly from the JEE Main Paper. Check out the detailed analysis mentioned below:

    Topics

    No. of Questions

    Difficulty Level

    Vector

    6

    Hard

    Trigonometry

    3

    Moderate

    Static & DI

    6

    Moderate

    Sets Relations and Functions

    7

    Easy

    Sequence & Series

    4

    Moderate

    Quadratic equation and cube roots

    6

    Easy

    Probability

    3

    Moderate

    Permutation and combination

    7

    Moderate

    Matrices and Determinants

    9

    Moderate

    Lines & Angle

    4

    Moderate

    Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

    4

    Moderate

    Integration & its application

    5

    Moderate

    Inequality and Logarithms

    1

    Moderate

    Height & Distance

    2

    Easy

    Differentiation & its application

    8

    Moderate

    Differential Equation

    4

    Moderate

    Conic Section

    3

    Moderate

    Complex number

    2

    Easy

    Circle

    3

    Moderate

    Binomial theorem

    3

    Moderate

    Binary

    2

    Easy

    3D Geometry

    5

    Moderate

    NDA 1 2024 GAT Paper Analysis

    The GAT 2024 question paper for NDA 1 was relatively easier than the mathematics paper and the overall difficulty level of the paper was easy to moderate. Candidates were able to attempt most of the questions. Some of the most common topics in the NDA 1 GAT 2024 paper were from Current affairs. Take a look at the detailed analysis below:

    Topics

    No. of Questions

    Difficulty Level

    Biology

    11

    Moderate

    Chemistry

    18

    Moderate

    Current Affairs

    10

    Moderate

    Economy

    2

    Moderate

    English

    50

    Moderate

    Geography

    19

    Moderate

    History

    13

    Moderate

    Physics

    21

    Moderate

    Polity

    3

    Easy

    Static GK

    3

    Moderate

    UPSC NDA 1 2024 Exam Analysis

    The NDA Paper Analysis 2024 is available here. Candidates can ascertain their score using the NDA paper analysis 2024.

    PaperTotal QuestionsGood AttemptsDifficulty Level
    GAT15095-105Easy to Moderate
    Mathematics12047-52Moderate

    NDA 1 2024 Mathematics Paper Analysis

    The overall difficulty level of the UPSC NDA 1 2024 Mathematics paper was moderate. Candidates who have a strong foundation of concepts will easily score well on the exam. There were some new topics asked in the question paper however the exam pattern and overall structure of the paper were unchanged. Around 8 questions were taken directly from the JEE Main Paper. Check out the detailed analysis mentioned below:

    Topics

    No. of Questions

    Difficulty Level

    Vector

    6

    Hard

    Trigonometry

    3

    Moderate

    Static & DI

    6

    Moderate

    Sets Relations and Functions

    7

    Easy

    Sequence & Series

    4

    Moderate

    Quadratic equation and cube roots

    6

    Easy

    Probability

    3

    Moderate

    Permutation and combination

    7

    Moderate

    Matrices and Determinants

    9

    Moderate

    Lines & Angle

    4

    Moderate

    Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

    4

    Moderate

    Integration & its application

    5

    Moderate

    Inequality and Logarithms

    1

    Moderate

    Height & Distance

    2

    Easy

    Differentiation & its application

    8

    Moderate

    Differential Equation

    4

    Moderate

    Conic Section

    3

    Moderate

    Complex number

    2

    Easy

    Circle

    3

    Moderate

    Binomial theorem

    3

    Moderate

    Binary

    2

    Easy

    3D Geometry

    5

    Moderate

    NDA 1 2024 GAT Paper Analysis

    The GAT 2024 question paper for NDA 1 was relatively easier than the mathematics paper and the overall difficulty level of the paper was easy to moderate. Candidates were able to attempt most of the questions. Some of the most common topics in the NDA 1 GAT 2024 paper were from Current affairs. Take a look at the detailed analysis below:

    Topics

    No. of Questions

    Difficulty Level

    Biology

    11

    Moderate

    Chemistry

    18

    Moderate

    Current Affairs

    10

    Moderate

    Economy

    2

    Moderate

    English

    50

    Moderate

    Geography

    19

    Moderate

    History

    13

    Moderate

    Physics

    21

    Moderate

    Polity

    3

    Easy

    Static GK

    3

    Moderate

    UPSC NDA Exam Analysis 2023

    The paper analysis of both NDA (1) and NDA (2) have been mentioned here take a look:

    NDA 1 Exam Analysis 2023

    The overall difficulty level was of NDA 2023 moderate, especially for the Maths paper. It was simple to moderate for the GAT document. Maximum questions in mathematics came from the topics of functions and trigonometry. This paper had questions from a variety of subjects, including calculus, determinants, algebra, probability, trigonometry, algebra, arithmetic and geometric progression, and matrices. Complex number questions were absent. Candidates can learn more about the exam's overall difficulty level and sectional breakdown by using the NDA exam analysis. Aspirants to the NDA can utilize the exam analysis to plan their study strategy by determining the exam's difficulty level. 

    Topics

    No. of Questions

    Difficulty Level

    3D Geometry

    4

    Difficult

    Binary

    1

    Easy

    Binomial theorem

    3

    Moderate

    Circle

    2

    Easy

    Complex number

    5

    Difficult

    Conic Section

    2

    Difficult

    Differential Equation

    6

    Easy

    Differentiation & its application

    6

    Difficult

    Height & Distance

    2

    Easy

    Inequality and Logarithms

    1

    Easy

    Integration & its application

    9

    Easy

    Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability

    6

    Moderate

    Lines and Angles

    7

    Moderate

    Matrices and Determinants

    7

    Moderate

    Permutation and combination

    7

    Easy

    Probability

    7

    Moderate

    Quadratic equation and cube roots

    4

    Easy

    Sequence & Series

    8

    Moderate

    Sets Relations and Functions

    7

    Easy

    Static & DI

    11

    Moderate

    Trigonometry

    9

    Easy

    Vector

    6

    Difficult

    NDA 2 Exam Analysis 2023

    It has been reported by several sources that the UPSC NDA II 2023 exam will be harder than the previous one. The NDA 2 written exam is generally challenging, falling between moderate and demanding. Applicants seeking information on exam patterns, including topic difficulty levels, good attempts, and more, should consult the NDA 2 Analysis 2023.

    Topics

    No. of Questions

    Difficulty Level

    3D Geometry

    4

    Hard

    Binary

    1

    Easy

    Binomial theorem

    3

    Normal

    Circle

    2

    Easy

    Complex number

    5

    Hard

    Conic Section

    2

    Hard

    Differential Equation

    6

    Easy

    Differentiation & its application

    6

    Hard

    Height & Distance

    2

    Easy

    Inequality and Logarithms

    1

    Easy

    Integration & its application

    9

    Easy

    Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

    6

    Normal

    Lines and Angles

    7

    Normal

    Matrices and Determinants

    7

    Normal

    Permutation and combination

    7

    Easy

    Probability

    7

    Normal

    Quadratic equation and cube roots

    4

    Easy

    Sequence & Series

    8

    Normal

    Sets Relations and Functions

    7

    Easy

    Static & DI

    11

    Normal

    Trigonometry

    9

    Easy

    Vector

    6

    Hard

    NDA 1 Exam Analysis 2022

    The Mathematics paper of NDA (I) 2022 was moderate to difficult. All the questions in GAT came from the NDA syllabus.As per the students' review, the difficulty level of the NDA (I) Mathematics paper was moderate. Moreover, the difficulty level of the paper was tough compared to the NDA (I) 2021 Exam. In 2022, there werefewer questions from complex number. In the Mathematics paper, questions were asked from Permutation and Combination, Arithmetic Progression, Geometric Progression, Quadratic Equation, Probability and Statistics. Most of the questions in GAT were from Social Studies, History, Current Affairs and English.

    NDA (I) Paper Analysis 2022 for Mathematics

    The topic-wise distribution of questions in Mathematics is given below:

    TopicNumber of QuestionsDifficulty

    Trignometry

    14

    Easy

    Height & Distance

    2

    Easy

    Sequence & Series

    5

    Moderate

    Complex Number

    2

    Easy

    Logarithms

    1

    Easy

    Permutation & Combination

    8

    Moderate

    Quadratic equation & cube root

    6

    Easy

    Binomial Theorem

    3

    Moderate

    Matrices & Determinants

    10

    Easy

    Probability

    8

    Moderate

    Binary

    2

    Easy

    Set Relations & Functions

    8

    Easy

    Limits Continuity and Differentiability

    4

    Moderate

    Differentiation

    9

    Easy

    Integration

    5

    Moderate

    Differential equation

    4

     Moderate

    Vector

    5

    Moderate

    Conic Section

    3

    Easy

    Lines

    4

    Easy

    3D

    6

    Moderate

    Miscellaneous

    11

    Easy

    NDA (I) Paper Analysis 2022 for GAT

    TopicDifficulty

    English

    Moderate

    History

    Moderate

    Geography

    Moderate

    Polity

    Moderate

    Current Affairs

    Moderate

    Economics

    Easy – Moderate

    Static GK

    Easy

    Defence Specific

    Easy – Moderate

    Physics

    Easy – Moderate

    Chemistry

    Moderate

    Biology

    Moderate

    Sports

    Moderate

    NDA (II) Paper Analysis 2022 for GAT

    In NDA (II) GAT paper, the Physics and Chemistry sections were easy. While the General Studies section was moderate to difficult. Questions came from Medieval History and Culture chapters. Current Affairs questions came from the events that occurred till July, 2022. Questions of Current Affairs came from Govt Schemes, Defence Acquisitions and Deals. The topic-wise distribution of questions in GAT is given below.

    TopicNo. of QuestionsDifficulty
    English50Moderate
    History12Moderate
    Geography15Moderate
    Polity9Moderate
    Current Affairs13Moderate
    Physics22Easy-Moderate
    Chemistry16Moderate
    Biology12Moderate

    NDA (II) Paper Analysis 2022 for Maths

    TopicNo. of QuestionsDifficulty

    Trigonometry

    14

    Easy

    Height & Distance

    2

    Easy

    Sequence & Series

    5

    Moderate

    Complex Number

    2

    Easy

    Logarithms

    1

    Easy

    Permutation & Combination

    8

    Moderate

    Quadratic equation & cube root

    6

    Easy

    Binomial Theorem

    3

    Moderate

    Matrices & Determinants

    10

    Easy

    Probability

    8

    Moderate

    Binary

    2

    Easy

    Set Relations & Functions

    8

    Easy

    Limits Continuity and Differentiability

    4

    Moderate

    Differentiation

    9

    Easy

    Integration

    5

    Moderate

    Differential equation

    4

     Moderate

    Vector

    5

    Moderate

    Conic Section

    3

    Easy

    Lines

    4

    Easy

    3D

    6

    Moderate

    Miscellaneous

    11

    Easy

    Section-wise UPSC NDA 2021 Exam Analysis for Paper II (General Ability)

    The UPSC NDA 2 section-wise analysis for Paper II exam 2021 can be checked below:

    TopicNo. of QuestionsDifficulty

    English

    50

    Moderate

    History

    13

    Moderate

    Geography

    12

    Moderate

    Polity

    9

    Moderate

    Current Affairs

    8

    Moderate

    Economics

    8

    Easy-Moderate

    Static GK

    4

    Easy

    Defence Specific

    Easy-Moderate

    Physics

    21

    Easy-Moderate

    Chemistry

    15

    Moderate

    Biology

    10

    Moderate

    Sports

    Moderate

    In all, the difficulty level of UPSC NDA 2 written exam was moderate to difficult, and the candidates with good preparation might have a chance to score higher marks.

    UPSC NDA (II) Section Wise Analysis for Paper I (Mathematics) 2021

    The UPSC NDA (II) section-wise analysis for Paper I exam 2021 can be checked below -

    TopicNo. of QuestionsDifficulty

    Sets, Relations, and functions

    06

    Easy to Moderate

    Complex Number

    05

    Easy to Moderate

    Quadratic Equations

    04

    Easy to Moderate

    Permutations and Combinations

    03

    Easy to Moderate

    Binomial Theorem

    04

    Moderate

    Sequences and Series

    08

    Easy to Moderate

    Matrices and Determinants

    09

    Moderate

    Vector Algebra

    05

    Moderate

    Three-dimensional Geometry

    05

    Easy to Moderate

    Straight Lines

    06

    Easy to Moderate

    Circles

    02

    Easy to Moderate

    Conic Sections

    02

    Easy to Moderate

    Trigonometric Functions

    19

    Easy to Moderate

    Inverse Trigonometric Functions

    02

    Easy to Moderate

    Heights and distance

    02

    Easy to Moderate

    Limit and Continuity

    04

    Easy to Moderate

    Differentiation

    04

    Moderate

    Applications of Derivatives

    05

    Moderate

    Integral Calculus

    11

    Easy to Moderate

    Differential Equations

    04

    Easy to Moderate

    Statistics

    10

    Easy to Moderate

    Probability

    05

    Moderate

    Miscellaneous

    04

    Easy to Moderate

    Want to know more about UPSC NDA & NA

    Related Questions

    I am currently 18-year-old and next year, I will turn 19. Will I be able to give the written UPSC NDA exam in 2025?

    -Akshita SahaUpdated on September 11, 2024 04:38 PM
    • 1 Answer
    Shivangi Ahirwar, Content Team

    Dear Student,

    The age limit to join NDA is 16½  to 19½ years. If you are below the age of 19½ during the time when the UPSC NDA 2025 exam is conducted, you will be eligible to take it. However, if you are older than the prescribed age limit, then you won't be able to take the UPSC NDA exam. Apart from being in the age group of 16½ to 19½, you must also have completed the 12th class of the 10+2 pattern of school or an equivalent examination by a State Education Board or a University. For the …

    READ MORE...

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