The UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 is now available in provisional form for both written papers of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026. UPSC has uploaded separate official PDFs for Mathematics and General Ability Test on its NDA I 2026 examination page. This is the most reliable source for checking answers because the files come directly from the Commission and are tied to the actual paper series used in the exam.
For most candidates, the first questions at this stage are simple: where to download the official answer key, whether a response sheet has also been released, and how objections can be raised. The official UPSC page clearly confirms the release of the provisional answer keys on 16 April 2026. It also shows the exam documents already uploaded earlier, including the notification, timetable, question papers and admit card updates.
This page focuses only on what candidates need right now. It explains what is available officially, what is still not available, how to use the Maths and GAT keys correctly, how score estimation works under the NDA written exam scheme, and how UPSC's Online Question Paper Representation Portal applies to this examination.
Latest Answer Key Status
UPSC has released the provisional answer keys for NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026. The official exam page shows separate PDF links for Mathematics and General Ability Test, both uploaded on 16 April 2026.
This is a provisional answer key release, not a final answer key declaration. Candidates should treat it as the official first reference for checking their attempted questions and deciding whether any representation needs to be submitted through the UPSC system.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Mathematics answer key | Released |
| General Ability Test answer key | Released |
| Type of key | Provisional |
| Date of upload | 16 April 2026 |
Download Official Answer Key PDFs
Use only the UPSC links for checking the answer key. The official NDA I 2026 page provides both paper-wise PDFs.
- Download UPSC NDA I 2026 Mathematics Provisional Answer Key PDF
- Download UPSC NDA I 2026 General Ability Test Provisional Answer Key PDF
- Open the official NDA I 2026 examination page
If you are checking your paper for the first time, download both PDFs only if you attempted both papers. Otherwise, use the paper that matches your question booklet and session.
What the Provisional Key Contains
The two official PDFs are structured paper-wise and series-wise. The Mathematics file covers all series for Paper I, and the GAT file covers all series for Paper II.
| Paper | Subject | Total Questions | Maximum Marks | Dropped Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 0 |
| Paper II | General Ability Test | 150 | 600 | 0 |
Each provisional key file contains answers for booklet series A, B, C and D. Candidates must match the answer key with the correct subject and the correct test booklet series before estimating marks.
Exam Date, Paper Timings and Scheme
NDA I 2026 was held on 12 April 2026 as a one-day examination. UPSC's official timetable gives separate timings for Mathematics and General Ability Test.
| Date | Time | Subject | Subject Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 April 2026 | 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM | Mathematics | 01 |
| 12 April 2026 | 02:00 PM to 04:30 PM | General Ability Test | 02 |
The written examination carries a total of 900 marks, split as 300 for Mathematics and 600 for GAT. Both papers are objective type. After the written stage, the SSB test or interview also carries 900 marks.
How to Check Your Answers Correctly
To avoid a wrong score estimate, compare your paper carefully in the correct order.
- Open the answer key PDF for the correct subject first.
- Identify your test booklet series correctly from your exam paper or notes.
- Match question numbers one by one with the series page meant for your booklet.
- Separate your correct, incorrect and unattempted questions.
- Use the official negative marking rule before estimating your final raw score.
If your booklet series or paper is mixed up, your score estimate can become completely unreliable. This is one of the most common mistakes candidates make while checking provisional keys.
Score Estimation and Negative Marking
UPSC's notification for NDA I 2026 clearly states that there is penalty for wrong answers in the objective papers. For each wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. If more than one option is marked for a question, it is treated as wrong. If a question is left blank, there is no penalty for that question.
Because the two papers carry different total marks and different question counts, candidates should calculate them separately.
| Paper | Total Questions | Total Marks | Marks per Question | Wrong Answer Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 | 0.83 marks |
| General Ability Test | 150 | 600 | 4 | 1.33 marks |
Your calculated score at this stage is only a provisional estimate. UPSC has not yet published the written result, cut-off or final answer key for NDA I 2026.
Response Sheet Status
The official NDA I 2026 examination page currently shows the provisional answer key PDFs, question papers, timetable, notification, corrigendum, press note and e-admit card entry. It does not show any separate candidate-wise response sheet link on that page.
So if you are specifically looking for an individual response sheet, there is no separate response sheet link visible on the official NDA I 2026 page at this stage. Candidates should therefore rely on their own recorded responses, memory-based reconstruction or question paper notes when comparing with the provisional key.
Objection Process and Official Link
UPSC provides a formal mechanism called the Online Question Paper Representation Portal, or QPRep, for examination-related representations on questions asked in the papers. The official NDA I 2026 notification states that representations must be submitted through the portal only and that no representation by email, post, hand delivery or any other mode will be accepted.
Open UPSC Online Question Paper Representation Portal (QPRep)
UPSC's published examination policy says that, for each examination, the representation window runs for 7 days from the next day of the examination date up to 6:00 PM of the 7th day. Since NDA I 2026 was held on 12 April 2026, candidates should treat the applicable window as 13 April 2026 to 19 April 2026, 6:00 PM, unless UPSC issues a separate exam-specific instruction changing that schedule.
Before Submitting a Representation
A representation is useful only when it is specific and based on the exact paper you attempted. Before submitting anything on QPRep, verify your details carefully.
- Choose the correct paper: Mathematics or GAT.
- Match the question number exactly.
- Use the correct booklet series.
- Keep your roll number and exam details ready.
- Check the official question paper and official provisional key together before raising any challenge.
Do not submit a representation only because an unofficial coaching key differs from the UPSC file. The comparison should be based on the official question paper and the official provisional answer key.
What Has Not Been Announced Yet
Several candidates look for more documents immediately after the provisional key appears. At the moment, some items are still not officially available for NDA I 2026.
- Final answer key
- Written result date
- Official cut-off marks
- Candidate-wise marks
- Separate individual response sheet link on the NDA I 2026 page
If UPSC uploads any of these later, they are most likely to appear on the same official exam page or in the answer keys and results sections of the UPSC website.
Exam Background, Eligibility and Vacancies
NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026 was conducted for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA for the 157th Course and for the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course commencing from 1 January 2027. The official notification gives the approximate total number of vacancies as 394.
| Service | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Army | 208 |
| Navy | 42 |
| Air Force | 120 |
| Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme) | 24 |
| Total | 394 |
For eligibility, the minimum educational requirement is 12th Class pass or equivalent for the Army Wing. For the Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and for the 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme of the Indian Naval Academy, the required qualification is 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The notification also allows candidates appearing in Class 12 to apply subject to later proof of qualification.
What You Should Do Next
If you appeared in NDA I 2026, the practical next steps are straightforward.
- Download the official Mathematics and GAT provisional answer key PDFs.
- Check the correct paper and booklet series.
- Estimate your raw score using the official negative marking rule.
- If needed, use QPRep within UPSC's examination representation time frame.
- Keep monitoring the official UPSC NDA I 2026 page for result-related updates.
At this stage, candidates should focus on verified official documents only. That will help avoid wrong score estimates and unnecessary confusion about response sheets or objection methods.
Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Has UPSC released the NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 officially?
Yes. UPSC has released the provisional answer keys for NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026 for both Mathematics and General Ability Test.
Where can I download the official UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 PDFs?
You can download them from the official UPSC NDA I 2026 examination page, which provides separate PDF links for Mathematics and GAT.
Is the NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 final or provisional?
The keys currently available are provisional answer keys.
Has UPSC released a separate response sheet for NDA I 2026?
No separate individual response sheet link is shown on the official NDA I 2026 page at present.
How can I raise an objection against a question in NDA I 2026?
UPSC accepts representations through the Online Question Paper Representation Portal, or QPRep, and not by email, post or hand submission.
What is the objection or representation time frame for NDA I 2026?
UPSC's examination policy provides 7 days from the next day of the exam date up to 6:00 PM of the 7th day for question paper representations.
What is the negative marking rule in the NDA written exam?
For every wrong answer, one-third of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
How many vacancies are there in NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026?
The official notification mentions 394 approximate vacancies in total.