How to Prepare for NDA English

The National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam preparation is a dream for many, but the path to Khadakwasla is not just about physical stamina. The English part of the General Ability Test (GAT), however, usually decides who gets into the final merit list, while a lot of candidates are often focused on Mathematics.

The English part is worth 200 points (50 questions), and unlike Math, it does not involve complicated calculations, just clear concepts and a good vocabulary. This guide gives a detailed roadmap on how to get ready for NDA English 2026.

NDA English Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Understanding the weightage is the first step toward strategic preparation. The English paper is Part A of the GAT, consisting of 50 objective-type questions.

Marks Distribution

• Total Questions: 50
• Marks per Correct Answer: 4
• Negative Marking: 1.33 for every wrong answer
• Total Marks: 200

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

The UPSC designs the syllabus to test your mental presence. The questions generally fall into these four categories:

Category	Key Topics
Grammar and Usage	Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Fill in the Blanks, Active/Passive Voice, Direct/Indirect Speech.
Vocabulary	Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases, One-word Substitution, Selecting Words.
Comprehension	Reading passages and answering questions based on the text.
Sentence Layout	Ordering of Words in a Sentence (Jumbled Sentences), Ordering of Sentences in a Paragraph (Para Jumbles).

Top Strategies: How to Prepare for NDA English

1. Master the Pillars of Grammar

UPSC focuses heavily on Spotting Errors and Sentence Improvement. You don’t need to be a literature expert, but you must master the following:

• Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the verb matches the number and person of the subject.
• Tenses: Understand the subtle differences between “Past Perfect” and “Simple Past.”
• Prepositions: This is a favourite of the NDA exam. Practice fixed prepositions (e.g., “abide by,” “interested in”).
• Articles & Conjunctions: Basic but frequently tested.

2. Build a “Battle-Ready” Vocabulary

You cannot “cram” 5,000 words in a week. Vocabulary is built through consistency.

• The 10-Word Rule: Learn 10 new words daily. Write down their meanings, synonyms, and antonyms.
• Contextual Learning: Read editorials in newspapers like The Hindu or The Indian Express. When you see a new word, see how it’s used in a sentence.
• Idioms & Phrases: These are high-scoring. Focus on common military or leadership-related idioms like “rank and file” or “to lead from the front.”

3. Tackle Reading Comprehension (RC)

Many candidates lose time here. To improve:

• Scan First: Read the questions before reading the passage. This tells your brain what information to look for.
• Avoid Assumptions: Answer only based on what is written in the passage, not your personal knowledge.

4. Practice Sentence Reordering

Jumbled sentences (PQRS) test your logic more than your English. Look for opening sentences (usually introducing a noun) and connecting links (conjunctions like “however,” “therefore,” or pronouns like “he/she”).

Best Books for NDA English Preparation

Using the right resources is half the battle won. Experts and toppers consistently recommend:

• Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi (Arihant): The “Bible” for NDA English. It covers grammar and vocabulary specifically for competitive exams.
• High School English Grammar & Composition by Wren & Martin: Excellent for building a foundation in grammar.
• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis: The best resource for scientific vocabulary building.
• NDA/NA Chapter-wise Solved Papers (Arihant/Oswaal): Essential for practising Previous Year Questions (PYQs).

3-Month Study Plan for English

• Month 1: Foundation. Finish basic grammar chapters. Spend 1 hour daily on Wren & Martin. Start your daily vocabulary diary.
• Month 2: Application. Start solving topic-wise questions from S.P. Bakshi. Focus on Spotting Errors and Cloze Tests.
• Month 3: Testing. Solve at least 10 years of PYQs. Take weekly mock tests to improve speed and reduce negative marking.

Read More: How to Prepare for NDA Chemistry

Final Thoughts

UPSC tends to repeat themes and sometimes even specific vocabulary words. Analysing the last 5-10 years of NDA papers will give you a “feel” for the exam’s difficulty level and the examiner’s mindset. Aim for at least 40+ correct answers out of 50 to secure a comfortable lead in the GAT section.