NDA 1 2026 Answer Key

The NDA 1 2026 answer key can be used in NDA preparation for aspirants who have appeared in the UPSC National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I) 2026. It can help individuals assess the answers, forecast scores, get information about qualifying chances for the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, and find discrepancies if there are in the NDA question paper.

The NDA 1 2026 written test was conducted on 12th April 2026. The tentative official answer keys for NDA 1 2026 (Mathematics and GAT) have been published for all 4 sets (A, B, C, and D) of the question paper on 16th April 2026. Candidates can use these answer keys along with the official marking scheme and estimate their preliminary scores in the examination.

The official answers for all Mathematics and GAT questions of NDA 1 2026 are included in the NDA 1 2026 answer key. Using this, applicants can:

• Check the accuracy of the right and wrong answers
• Compute the approximate total score
• Evaluate the result with the expected NDA cut-off marks;
• Determine whether they need to work on the SSB preparation.
• Raise objections

The answer key is released separately for:

• Mathematics
• General Ability Test (GAT)

Each paper is available for:

• Set A
• Set B
• Set C
• Set D

Candidates should download the answer key for their respective question paper set.

The candidate should use the answer key in conjunction with the marking scheme to have an idea of the marks that could have been obtained in the written exam.

Unofficial answer keys are released by coaching institutes a couple of hours after the exam. They are a convenient measure to get a quick idea of how well you did, but should not be relied upon as the final judgment.

Reasons unofficial keys may differ include:

• Various interpretations of conceptual questions
• Human mistakes in solution preparation:
• Incorrect assumptions about unspecified questions
• Modified response following security review
• Questions later dropped or revised by UPSC

Hence, aspirants should never rely on unofficial keys for critical decisions. The official UPSC answer key is the ultimate source for estimating scores and raising objections, if any, wherever applicable.

Candidates will be required to download the PDF of the question paper that they were actually provided with during the examination. If you use the incorrect set of question papers for your calculations, then you will receive inaccurate marks.

The Mathematics paper listed 120 questions comprising a total of 300 marks.

Mathematics was evaluated as being moderately difficult, containing both simple and application questions. Students who have regularly practiced papers from previous years consider the paper to be reasonably easy.

• Algebra maintained a strong weightage
• Calculus included conceptual differentiation and integration questions
• Coordinate Geometry remained a scoring topic for well-prepared candidates
• Trigonometry featured direct formula-based problems
• Vectors and 3D Geometry require careful calculations
• Probability and Statistics were comparatively easier
• Several questions demanded speed and accuracy under time pressure

The General Ability Test carried 150 questions worth 600 marks.

The English portion was considered Easy to moderate.

Questions covered:

• Vocabulary
• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Idioms
• Grammar
• Sentence Improvement
• Reading Comprehension

The GK portion was relatively more challenging.

It included questions from:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• History
• Geography
• Polity
• Economics
• Defence Awareness
• Current Affairs

Current affairs questions were based on the latest news at both a domestic and international level. Hence, it was advisable to read the newspapers on a regular basis and to revise current affairs on a monthly basis.

Based on candidate feedback and expert analysis, the overall examination maintained a Moderate difficulty level.

Candidates scoring above the expected written cutoff generally have a stronger chance of progressing to the SSB stage, subject to overall merit and vacancies.

Use the official NDA marking scheme while calculating your score.

• Correct Answer: +2.5 marks
• Incorrect Answer: -0.83 mark
• Unattempted: 0

• Correct Answer: +4 marks
• Incorrect Answer: -1.33 marks
• Unattempted: 0

Mathematics

• Correct: 85
• Incorrect: 20
• Score = (85 × 2.5) - (20 × 0.83) ≈ 196 marks

GAT

• Correct: 105
• Incorrect: 25
• Score = (105 × 4) - (25 × 1.33) ≈ 387 marks

Estimated Total: 196 + 387 = 583 marks

This estimated score helps candidates assess their chances before the official written result.

The NDA written cutoff varies based on examination factors:

• Paper difficulty
• Number of vacancies
• Candidate performance

The final merit list will be based on the performance in the written examination, the SSB interview, and medical fitness.

Follow these steps to download the official NDA 1 2026 answer key:

1. Visit the official UPSC website.
2. Open the Examination or Answer Key section.
3. Select NDA & NA (I) Examination 2026.
4. Choose your paper: Mathematics or General Ability Test.
5. Download the PDF.
6. Match your question paper set.
7. Compare your responses.
8. Calculate your estimated score using the official marking scheme.

After calculating your probable score:

• Check whether the score is around the decided cut-off
• Catch the incorrect options and clear the concepts to avoid repetitive mistakes
• Focus on questions that were randomly guessed.
• If your score is near/above the expected cutoff, you should start preparing for the SSB interview.
• Collect and file your educational documents and certificates mandatory for the selection process

The results and the subsequent steps will all be announced officially by the UPSC, so keep yourself updated by checking the UPSC announcements regularly.

Early preparation for the SSB interview is important as it goes a long way to bringing out one's personality, leadership, communication skills, and officer-like qualities.

UPSC has given a provisional answer key representation format for relevant exams, which can be used by candidates to submit their representations on the provisional answer key within the notified timeline. As regards NDA 1 2026, candidates could submit their representations on the provisional answer key and the question paper through the option of submitting representations available on the online application portal during the notified period or time. Candidates needed to mention valid academic references supporting their representations while submitting the same, and submissions made after the notified deadline or using other than official mediums were not entertained. The commission considers the valid representations and announces the final answer key before moving on to the other steps of the process.

Remember that the NDA entry is not just a written exam. Your entire selection process lasts for several days, and you need to be aware of each and every step. So, be vigilant about time and continue to check any official UPSC releases of the written test, SSB interview dates, document verification, medical check-up, and final merit list. If you practice solving NDA past years' papers, give mock tests to improve your confidence and command over the language, and could groom your communication and leadership qualities to win at the SSB interview. You should also keep yourself alert with all the official releases to not miss any important timeline or advertisement. And for answer keys 2026, last for every single question, make sure to keep yourselves updated by subscribing to www.Digitalbenchers.com.