UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 Out: Download PDF, Response Sheet & Objection Details

UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 Status

UPSC has published the provisional answer key for National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026. The official release covers both written papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test.

The answer key is useful for candidates who want to verify doubtful questions, compare answers by booklet series, and estimate their likely score before the written result is announced. Since the key is marked provisional, candidates should treat it as a working reference rather than the final post-review version.

Official Download Links for UPSC NDA 1 Answer Key 2026

Use only the official UPSC links below if you want the actual provisional answer key PDFs. This helps avoid outdated keys, incomplete scans, or third-party answer tables that do not match the UPSC booklet series.

Is the UPSC NDA 1 2026 Response Sheet Available?

As of the latest official update on the UPSC NDA I 2026 exam page, UPSC has listed the question papers and the provisional answer keys, but it has not listed a separate response sheet download for candidates.

This means candidates should not assume that every website promising a response-sheet link is pointing to an official UPSC document. If UPSC later publishes any scorecard, marksheet, or response-related document, it should appear through the Commission's official portals. Until then, the safest method is to compare the provisional key with your own remembered attempts and booklet series.

If you wrote down your attempted options during the exam or still remember the doubtful questions, that is the best practical way to estimate your score from the released PDFs.

Objection Link and Representation Window

UPSC uses its Online Question Paper Representation Portal, also called QPRep, for representations relating to questions asked in the examination. The Commission's published rule states that candidates can submit representations within 7 days from the next day after the examination date, up to 6:00 PM on the seventh day.

For NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026, the exam was held on 12 April 2026. On that basis, the representation window would run from 13 April 2026 to 19 April 2026 up to 6:00 PM. UPSC also states that representations by email, post, hand delivery, or any other mode are not accepted.

Candidates should note that this is a question-paper representation mechanism. The official answer-key PDF page itself does not show a separate answer-key challenge button. The relevant official entry points are the QPRep guideline PDF and the UPSC online login portal.

How to Calculate Your NDA 1 2026 Score Using the Provisional Key

You can estimate your written score by matching your marked responses with the correct options in the official provisional answer key. UPSC applies negative marking in the objective papers, so raw counting without penalty will overstate your score.

For Mathematics, the paper carries 300 marks over 120 questions, so each correct answer is worth 2.5 marks. For the General Ability Test, the paper carries 600 marks over 150 questions, so each correct answer is worth 4 marks. UPSC's rule says one-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer.

• Mathematics: +2.5 for correct, -0.83 for wrong, 0 for unattempted
• GAT: +4 for correct, -1.33 for wrong, 0 for unattempted

Estimated score formula: total correct marks minus total negative marks. Keep in mind that this remains an unofficial estimate until UPSC completes review and declares the written result.

NDA 1 2026 Exam Pattern Relevant to the Answer Key

When checking the answer key, candidates should keep the exam structure in mind because the marking weight is different across the two papers. UPSC's NDA written exam is objective in nature and both papers together carry 900 marks.

This is why candidates should not compare Mathematics and GAT simply by number of correct answers. A correct answer in GAT carries a higher mark value than a correct answer in Mathematics.

Eligibility Snapshot for UPSC NDA I 2026

Even though this page is about the answer key, many candidates also want to confirm the basic eligibility conditions connected with the exam. For NDA I 2026, UPSC states that only unmarried male and female candidates born not earlier than 1 July 2007 and not later than 1 July 2010 are eligible.

The educational qualification depends on the wing applied for:

• Army Wing of National Defence Academy: 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern or equivalent
• Air Force and Naval Wings of NDA and 10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme at Indian Naval Academy: 12th Class pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or equivalent
• Candidates appearing in Class 12 or equivalent were also allowed to apply, subject to later proof of passing

This snapshot matters because after the written exam and answer-key stage, document verification and SSB-related eligibility checks become important.

Important Dates Linked to the NDA 1 2026 Answer Key

The answer key makes more sense when you place it within the full exam timeline. The table below brings together the dates most relevant to candidates checking the key, looking for objections, or waiting for the next stage.

What Happens After the Provisional Answer Key?

After releasing the provisional answer key, UPSC proceeds with the remaining written-exam process. Where representations are received within the allowed time, the Commission reviews them according to its rules. The written result is declared separately on the official UPSC platform.

Candidates who qualify the written stage move to the Services Selection Board interview process. The NDA selection process is not completed through the written exam alone, because the SSB stage also carries 900 marks.

As of now, candidates should avoid assuming any fixed written-result date unless UPSC publishes it officially. The correct approach is to monitor the NDA I 2026 exam page and UPSC's latest updates section.

Match the Correct Booklet Series Before Checking Answers

Before tallying your answers, make sure you are looking at the correct booklet series in the provisional answer key PDF. UPSC's NDA key is organized series-wise, and using the wrong series can completely distort your estimated score.

Check the series code printed on your question booklet or the details you noted on exam day. Then compare only that series with your attempted answers. Do not mix Series A, B, C, or D answer rows while calculating your marks.

If you are unsure about one or two questions but not the full sheet, it is still better to calculate a score range. This gives a more realistic estimate than assuming all doubtful answers are either correct or wrong.

Official Links

• UPSC NDA & NA Examination (I), 2026 Exam Page
• UPSC NDA 1 2026 Provisional Answer Key - Mathematics PDF
• UPSC NDA 1 2026 Provisional Answer Key - General Ability Test PDF
• UPSC NDA I 2026 Notification PDF
• UPSC Question Paper Representation Guidelines PDF
• UPSC Online Question Paper Representation Portal Login