UPSC NDA 2 answer key 2026: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is expected to release the NDA 2 Answer Key 2026 soon on its official website, upsc.gov.in. The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 was held on September 13, in pen-and-paper mode, for candidates seeking admission to the National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy Course.
About the Exam
The examination was conducted in two sessions on the same day. The Mathematics paper was held in the morning, while the General Ability Test was conducted in the afternoon.
This recruitment cycle is being conducted for around 394 vacancies across the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy, along with the Indian Naval Academy Course.
Once released, candidates will be able to use the answer key to check their responses and calculate their probable scores ahead of the official written examination result.
UPSC NDA 2 Marking Scheme 2026
Candidates preparing to estimate their scores should refer to the following marking scheme for both papers:
| Paper | Correct Answer | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 2.5 marks | 0.83 marks |
| General Ability Test | 4 marks | 1.33 marks |
How to Calculate UPSC NDA 2 Score 2026?
Candidates can estimate their score using the following formulas:
Mathematics:
Estimated score = (Correct answers × 2.5) − (Incorrect answers × 0.83)
General Ability Test:
Estimated score = (Correct answers × 4) − (Incorrect answers × 1.33)
It’s important to note that the score calculated using the answer key will only be an estimate. The final marks will be based on the official evaluation conducted by UPSC, which may account for factors like accepted objections or corrections to the answer key, if any.
How to Download UPSC NDA 2 Answer Key 2026?
Once the answer key is officially released, candidates can follow these steps to download it:
- Visit the official UPSC website — upsc.gov.in
- Click on the Examinations section
- Select Answer Keys
- Find the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026
- Select either the Mathematics or General Ability Test paper
- Open the answer key PDF
- Download the PDF and match the answers against those marked in your OMR sheet
- Calculate your estimated score using the prescribed marking scheme
Why This Matters?
For candidates who appeared in the NDA 2 exam on September 13, the release of the answer key marks an important checkpoint that allows them to gauge their performance well before the official result is declared. Given the significant negative marking involved — particularly in the General Ability Test, where each incorrect answer costs 1.33 marks — accurately calculating an estimated score using the correct formula can help candidates realistically assess their chances of clearing the written stage.
With 394 vacancies on offer across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, competition for this exam is typically intense, making an accurate self-assessment using the official marking scheme a useful step before candidates begin preparing for the subsequent SSB interview stage, which usually follows written result declaration.
Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | NDA 2 2026 |
| Conducted by | UPSC |
| Exam date | September 13, 2026 |
| Exam mode | Pen and paper |
| Papers | Mathematics (morning), General Ability Test (afternoon) |
| Total vacancies | ~394 (Army, Navy, Air Force) |
| Answer key release | Expected soon |
| Official website | upsc.gov.in |










