UPSC NDA Answer Key 2026 (Out): Download Maths & GAT PDFs

Reviewed By: Prem Krishnan
🕒 Last Updated: September 18, 2026
General 📅 17 Sep, 2026 📍 India
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UPSC NDA Answer Key (Out) Answer Key 2026 Released

The wait is finally over for thousands of defence aspirants across the country. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the provisional answer key for the National Defence Academy & Naval Academy (II) Examination 2026. This crucial document was uploaded to the official website on 16 September 2026, just three days after the written examination was conducted on 13 September 2026. The swift release of the UPSC NDA Answer Key (Out) allows candidates to evaluate their performance and estimate their scores before the final results are declared.

This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 394 vacancies across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy, as well as the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Naval Academy. The answer key is available in separate PDF formats for the Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) papers. Crucially, the Commission has released the keys set-wise (Sets A, B, C, and D) to ensure accuracy for every candidate. Aspirants who appeared for the exam can now download the PDFs, match their responses, and calculate their expected scores using the official marking scheme.

About Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is the premier central recruiting agency in India, responsible for conducting examinations for various civil services and defence posts. The NDA & NA Examination is one of the most prestigious exams conducted by the Commission twice a year. The examination for the (II) session of 2026 was held under Advertisement No. 10/2026. The selection process is rigorous, beginning with a written objective test, followed by an Intelligence and Personality Test conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).

The written examination consists of two papers: Mathematics and the General Ability Test (GAT). The Mathematics paper is designed to test a candidate's grasp of algebraic, trigonometric, and calculus concepts, while the GAT paper assesses English proficiency and General Knowledge. The release of the UPSC NDA Answer Key (Out) is a critical step in this process, providing transparency and allowing candidates to verify the accuracy of the questions and their own responses. The Commission releases the key in a provisional format first, inviting objections from candidates if they find any discrepancies in the answers.

UPSC NDA Answer Key (Out) & Objection Window

The provisional answer key serves as a self-assessment tool for candidates. It is important to understand that this is not the final key. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) provides a specific window for candidates to challenge the provisional answers if they believe a particular answer is incorrect. This mechanism ensures that the final answer key is free from errors. The objection window typically opens shortly after the release of the provisional key and remains active for a few days.

Candidates must note that the objection process is entirely online and requires a fee for each question challenged. The Commission will review all objections received and, if found valid, will revise the answer key accordingly. The final answer key will be used for the evaluation of the OMR sheets. Therefore, while the current UPSC NDA Answer Key (Out) is essential for estimating scores, candidates should wait for the final key to know their confirmed marks.

Marking Scheme for NDA & NA Exam

To calculate your estimated score accurately, you must apply the official marking scheme. The scheme includes negative marking for incorrect answers, which is crucial for accurate score estimation.

Subject Correct Answer Marks Incorrect Answer Penalty
Mathematics +2.5 Marks -0.83 Marks
General Ability Test (GAT) +4 Marks -1.33 Marks

How to Challenge Answer Key

If you find any discrepancy in the provisional answer key, you have the right to challenge it. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has a structured process for this. Follow the steps below to raise an objection:

  1. Visit the official UPSC online portal at upsconline.nic.in.
  2. Look for the link titled "Question Paper cum Answer Key" or "Objections on Answer Key" for the NDA & NA (II) Examination 2026.
  3. Log in using your Registration ID and Roll Number.
  4. Select the paper (Mathematics or GAT) and the specific question you wish to challenge.
  5. Upload supporting documents or references from standard textbooks to justify your claim.
  6. Pay the prescribed fee per question (usually around Rs. 100 per question) to submit the objection.
  7. Submit the objection and take a printout of the confirmation page for future reference.

Note: The objection window is time-bound. The Commission will not accept objections after the deadline. The exact dates for the objection window for this cycle were not specified in the source used for this article, so candidates are advised to check the official website regularly for updates.

Step-by-Step Download Guide

Downloading the UPSC NDA Answer Key (Out) is a simple process, but candidates must ensure they download the correct set. Here is a step-by-step guide:

  1. Visit the official website of UPSC at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
  2. On the homepage, navigate to the "Examinations" tab and click on "Answer Keys".
  3. Find the link for "National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026".
  4. Click on the link to view the available PDFs.
  5. Select the PDF for Mathematics (Paper I) or General Ability Test – GAT (Paper II) as required.
  6. Open the PDF for your specific booklet series (Set A, B, C, or D).
  7. Download and save the PDF for future reference and score calculation.

It is crucial to match the booklet series correctly. Comparing your answers with the wrong set will lead to incorrect score estimation.

Official Key Download Link

For the convenience of our readers, we have provided the direct links to download the answer key PDFs. Click on the links below to access the official documents:

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Frequently Asked Questions

The provisional Answer Key was released on 16 September 2026, following the exam held on 13 September 2026.
Visit upsc.gov.in, go to Examinations > Answer Keys, select the NDA and NA (II), 2026 exam, then download the Mathematics or GAT PDF for your booklet set (A/B/C/D).
Mathematics carries +2.5 for a correct answer and approximately -0.83 for a wrong answer; GAT carries +4 for a correct answer and approximately -1.33 for a wrong answer.
Yes, UPSC allows objections through upsconline.nic.in if there is a valid ground to challenge a specific answer. The exact objection window for this cycle was not specified in the source used for this article — check the official notice for exact dates.
Candidates should use the key to estimate their written-test score. UPSC will separately announce the written-test result and the list of candidates shortlisted for the SSB Interview.
The online application last date was 11 June 2026 (06:00 PM).
The age limit details are not specified in the source content. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for age criteria.
The educational qualification details are not specified in the source content. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for qualification requirements.
The selection process typically involves a Written Exam (Mathematics and GAT) followed by an Intelligence and Personality Test (SSB Interview).
The application process was online through the official UPSC website. The application window has closed.
The application fee details are not specified in the source content. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for fee details.
The salary structure details are not specified in the source content. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for pay scale information.
The job location details are not specified in the source content. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for posting details.

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Prem Krishnan

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Prem Krishnan is the Founder and Editor of Sarkari Job Finders. He researches, verifies, and publishes government job notifications, admit cards, results, answer keys, scholarships, admissions, and educational updates from official government sources across India. His goal is to provide accurate, timely, and easy-to-understand information for job seekers, students, and aspirants.

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