How to Prepare General Knowledge for NDA and CDS Exams?

NDA and CDS are the most popular defence exams conducted by UPSC to recruit eligible personnel for the armed forces. Both NDA and CDS exams have a General Studies paper that tests candidates' knowledge of various subjects, including General Knowledge, Current Affairs, History, Geography, Polity, Science, and more. The exams are highly competitive, and candidates need to prepare well to succeed. In this article, we are going to discuss how candidates can prepare General Studies for NDA and CDS exams.

How to Prepare General Knowledge for NDA and CDS Exams?

Preparing for the General Knowledge section of the NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services) exams requires a comprehensive approach. These exams test candidates' knowledge of a wide range of subjects, so it's essential to have a well-rounded preparation strategy. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the General Studies section:

• Understand the Syllabus: Obtain the latest syllabus for the NDA and CDS exams to know the topics you need to cover. Familiarise yourself with the subjects and sub-topics under General Studies.
• Create a Study Plan: Plan your study schedule in a way that allows you to allocate sufficient time to each topic. Make a daily, weekly, or monthly plan, depending on the time available before the exam.
• Study Current Affairs: Stay updated with current events, national and international news, government schemes, and important happenings. Read newspapers, watch news channels, and follow reputable online sources to be aware of the latest developments.
• Previous Year Question Papers: Solve previous years' question papers to understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and the type of questions asked.
• Mock Tests: Take mock tests regularly to assess your preparation and identify areas that need improvement. This will also help you manage time during the actual exam.
• Revision: Allocate time for regular revision of all the topics you've covered. Revision is crucial to retain information effectively.
• Stay Positive and Healthy: Keep a positive attitude and manage stress. Take care of your physical and mental health during the preparation period.

Weightage of General Knowledge in NDA and CDS

The NDA written exam consists of two papers, for a total of 900 marks. Paper I is Mathematics, and Paper II is General Ability Test (GAT). The General Studies section is a part of the GAT paper, which comprises a total of 600 marks. It carries 2/3rd of the total marks of the GAT paper.

The CDS written exam consists of three papers for IMA, INA, and AFA, and two papers for OTA. Each paper carries 100 marks. 120 Questions of General Knowledge are asked in exams for each academy, as mentioned above.