UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026: Paper 1 & 2 Official PDF Link

UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 today, April 16, 2026. Following the written examination conducted on April 12, 2026, candidates can now access the provisional answer keys for both Mathematics (Paper 1) and the General Ability Test (Paper 2). The direct download link for UPSC NDA NA 1 Answer Key 2026 is given below.
UPSC NDA 1 Exam 2026: Overview
| Recruiting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (I) 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 394 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | April 12, 2026 |
| Answer Key Release Date | April 16, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Expected May/June 2026 |
| SSB Interview Dates | To be notified |
Marking Scheme & Score Calculation
Candidates can calculate their approximate score using the official marking scheme provided by UPSC:
| Subject | Questions | Total Marks | Correct Answer | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | +2.5 | -0.83 (1/3rd) |
| GAT | 150 | 600 | +4.0 | -1.33 (1/3rd) |
Formula: (Correct×Marks)−(Incorrect×Penalty)=TotalScore
How to Download UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026
- Visit the official UPSC website: upsc.gov.in.
- On the homepage, click on the “Examination” tab and select “Answer Keys”.
- Look for the link titled “National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026”.
- Separate links for Mathematics and General Ability Test will be visible.
- Click on the PDF icon for the subject you wish to check.
- The answer key PDF for Sets A, B, C, and D will open.
- Download and save the file to cross-verify your answers.
Important Links
| Download NDA 1 Maths Answer Key | Click Here |
| Download NDA 1 GAT Answer Key | Click Here |
| Official Website | Visit UPSC |
FAQs –
When will the official UPSC NDA 1 2026 result be declared?
The result is typically announced 40–50 days after the exam. For the April 12 exam, results are expected by late May or early June 2026.
Can I challenge the provisional UPSC NDA answer key?
Yes, UPSC provides a specific window (usually 7 days) for candidates to submit representations against any questions or answers through the “Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QP-REP).”
What is the expected cutoff for NDA 1 2026?
Based on initial student feedback (moderate difficulty), the expected written cutoff is estimated to be between 350 and 365 marks out of 900.
Is there a sectional cutoff in the UPSC NDA 1 exam 2026?
Yes, candidates must score at least 25% in each paper (Mathematics and GAT) to qualify for the SSB interview.
