Best Book for NDA Preparation — Backed by Manasa Defence Academy
Preparing for the NDA (National Defence Academy) exam is a big challenge — it demands rigorous study, consistent practice, and the right study materials. At Manasa Defence Academy, we believe that having the best books is one of the cornerstones of our success in guiding students to crack NDA. Here are the top recommended books for NDA preparation, categorized by subject, along with how we use them in our training.
1. Mathematics
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NCERT Class 11 & 12 Maths
These are the foundation. Since many NDA math questions are based on 11th–12th level concepts, NCERT textbooks help build strong fundamentals. -
Mathematics for NDA & NA by R.S. Aggarwal
This is a classic — very good for concept clarity, lots of solved examples, and practice questions. -
Pathfinder NDA & NA (Arihant Publications)
This book is highly exam-oriented and includes mock tests, solved papers, and topic-wise questions targeted at NDA math.
2. General Ability Test (GAT)
GAT is one of the most critical parts of NDA, consisting of English + General Knowledge (GK).
English:
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Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
Great for grammar practice, comprehension, and building accuracy. -
Wren & Martin's High School English Grammar and Composition
A timeless resource for rules of grammar and writing. -
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
Helps in expanding vocabulary — very useful for the English section of NDA.
General Knowledge / GAT (Science + GK):
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Pathfinder NDA & NA (Arihant) — apart from Math, it covers GAT topics like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Polity, Geography, and Current Affairs.
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Lucent’s General Knowledge — a compact and well-structured GK book often recommended for static GK topics.
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Manorama Yearbook — frequently used for current affairs and updated GK content.
3. Previous Years’ Questions / Practice Papers
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Oswaal NDA-NA Question Bank (2014–2023) — Mathematics / GAT / English
These are solved PYQ (Previous Year Questions) books. Very helpful for understanding exam patterns, practicing time management, and analyzing your weak spots. -
Disha / IFAS PYQ books
There are specific books (like 16- or 17-year PYQ sets) from publishers like Disha which many aspirants find extremely valuable for revision.
4. Subject & Strategy Guides
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“NDA & NA Entrance Guide” by Juhi & Avanindra Upadhyay (et al.)
This is a comprehensive guide covering theory, exam strategy, and subject-wise preparation. -
Mission NDA: Serve at Younger Age (DDE)
This is not just a theory book — it brings motivation + exam-specific content + formula book for Maths.
5. Why These Books Work for Students at Manasa Defence Academy
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Structured Curriculum
At Manasa Defence Academy, our syllabus is aligned with the NDA exam pattern. We recommend the books above because they map very well to the NDA syllabus. -
Balanced Approach
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We combine NCERT textbooks (for clarity) + Arihant / Aggarwal (for large practice) + PYQ books (for real exam exposure).
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This helps students build concept strength first, and then test themselves under exam-like conditions.
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Regular Tests & Revision
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Students are given mock tests based on Pathfinder and Oswaal question banks.
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We also do weekly revision of GK topics using Lucent and Manorama Yearbook so students stay up-to-date with static + current affairs.
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Formula Mastery & Shortcuts
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For Mathematics, we emphasize formula books (like in Mission NDA) so students can revise quickly.
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Our trainers teach shortcut techniques, time-saving tricks, and problem-solving strategies.
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Peer Learning
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At Manasa, students discuss tricky problems from these books in group studies.
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Doubt sessions are based on the same books, so learning is very practical and exam-focused.
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6. Tips for Using These Books Effectively
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Start with NCERTs: Before diving into advanced questions, make sure your concepts from class 11–12 are rock solid.
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Daily Practice: Solve a mix of theory + practice questions every day; don’t just read.
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Mock Tests: Take full-length mock papers (from Pathfinder or Oswaal) to simulate exam conditions.
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Analyze Mistakes: After each test, spend time analyzing where you went wrong. Use error log.
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Revision Strategy: Maintain separate notes (or flashcards) for GK, formulas, and vocabulary.
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Time Management: Practice under timed conditions; teaching students at Manasa, we always stress time-bound practices.
7. Conclusion
Choosing the right books for NDA preparation can make a huge difference in how effectively a student studies, especially when paired with structured coaching. At Manasa Defence Academy, our recommended book list is thoughtfully curated to align with both the NDA exam pattern and our teaching methodology. When students use these books in our program — along with guided tests, doubt clearing, and peer learning — they are much more likely to succeed.
Contact:
Manasa Defence Academy
New Gajuwaka Depot, Visakhapatnam.
Andhra Pradesh-530012.
Call: 7799799220,7799799228
web:www.manasadefenceacademy.com
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