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ESE vs NDA
Detailed comparison between Engineering Services Examination and National Defence Academy — question patterns, subjects, and preparation strategies.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | ESE | NDA |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Engineering Services Examination | National Defence Academy |
| Paper | General Studies & Engineering Aptitude | General Ability Test (GAT) |
| Total PYQs | 684 | 1,469 |
| Years | 2020–2026 | 2019–2025 |
| Answers Available | 70% | 50% |
| Frequency | Once a year | Twice a year (April & September) |
| Eligibility | Engineering Degree | 12th Pass, Age 16.5-19.5 |
| Sessions | Once/year | Multiple per year |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ESE and NDA?▼
ESE (Engineering Services Examination) requires Engineering Degree and is conducted once a year. NDA (National Defence Academy) requires 12th Pass, Age 16.5-19.5 and is conducted twice a year (april & september). Both are conducted by UPSC.
Can I prepare for both ESE and NDA together?▼
Yes, the GK/GA sections of both exams share significant overlap in topics like History, Geography, Polity, and Current Affairs. Practicing PYQs from both exams can strengthen your preparation. However, each exam has its own specific topics and question patterns that need dedicated attention.
Which exam is harder — ESE or NDA?▼
Difficulty comparison depends on the paper. General Studies & Engineering Aptitude has 684 PYQs in our database, while General Ability Test (GAT) has 1469. Compare the question patterns across years using our PYQ database to understand the difficulty trends for each exam.