• Updated on 1 Sept, 2026 by Paulami Chandra
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The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has not announced any answer key release date for the NDA 2 exam 2026. The NDA and NA Examination (II), 2026, is scheduled to be conducted on September 13, 2026, after which candidates will be able to check the availability of the Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) answer keys. Once the answer keys and question papers with solutions are available, candidates can compare their responses, identify correct and incorrect answers, calculate their expected marks, and assess their performance before the declaration of the written result. This article provides the latest updates on the official and unofficial NDA 2 answer keys, set-wise solutions, and PDF availability for candidates.
The NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 was released by the Union Public Service Commission for the written examination conducted on April 12, 2026, covering both the Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) papers. The answer key allowed candidates to verify their attempted answers and estimate their expected score using the official marking scheme. UPSC also provided candidates with an opportunity to raise representations against the provisional answer key through the official portal. The objection facility remained available until April 22, 2026, after which no further representations were accepted.
Table of Contents
NDA Answer Key 2026: Highlights
The NDA 2 Answer Key 2026 for the Mathematics and GAT papers will be released shortly after the NDA 2 exam 2026 on September 13, 2026. Meanwhile, UPSC released the NDA 1 Answer Key 2026 on April 15, 2026, for the written examination held on April 12, 2026. Candidates would be able to download the answer key through the official UPSC website.
| NDA 2 Exam Date | September 13, 2026 |
| NDA 2 Answer Key Release Status | To be released |
| Sets | A, B, C, D |
NDA Answer Key 2026: Release Date
The NDA 2 Answer Key 2026 is expected to be released a few days after the written examination scheduled on September 13, 2026. Based on the NDA 1 2026 cycle, UPSC released the provisional answer key on April 16, 2026, following the examination held on April 12, 2026. This means that candidates can expect the NDA 2 answer key 2026 to be made available around September 17, 2026. Once released, candidates can download the provisional Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) answer keys from the official website to match their responses, estimate their expected scores, and assess their performance before the result is declared.
How to download the NDA Answer Key 2026?
NDA 2 Answer Key 2026 download link will be activated by UPSC after the written examination scheduled for September 13, 2026. Candidates will be able to access the provisional answer key once it is released on the official website. Candidates can follow the steps below for downloading the NDA answer key 2026:
Step 1: Visit the official UPSC website.
Step 2: Navigate to the Examinations section available on the homepage.
Step 3: Select the UPSC NDA Answer Key 2026 link available and choose the relevant year.
Step 4: Download the Answer Key in a PDF document format.
NDA Answer Key 2026: Score Calculation
NDA 2026 score calculation is made using the official marking scheme, where 1/3rd marks are deducted for every incorrect response made in the examination. Candidates can calculate their expected NDA 2 written exam 2026 score using the NDA 2 Answer Key 2026 by adding the marks for correct answers and subtracting the applicable negative marks for incorrect responses. In the Mathematics paper, each correct answer carries 2.5 marks, while 0.83 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer. In the GAT paper, candidates receive 4 marks for each correct answer, while 1.33 marks are deducted for every wrong response. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.
NDA Answer Key 2026: Objection Process
The NDA 2 Answer Key 2026 is expected to be released by UPSC after the written examination, following which candidates can access the provisional answer key through the official website and raise objections within the specified period. For NDA 1 2026, UPSC had already released the official answer key, and candidates were allowed to submit objections through the online portal until April 22, 2026.
To submit an objection, candidates must log in to the UPSC website, select the relevant question, and provide a valid justification along with supporting proof. Each objection is carefully reviewed by the Commission before finalizing the answer key. The final answer key released after the review process will be considered conclusive for result preparation.
NDA Answer Key 2026: Answer Key PDF
NDA 2026 question paper solution would be provided through the official answer key in separate PDF files. Candidates can download the PDF below:
NDA Answer Key 2026 FAQs
When will NDA Answer Key 2026 be released?
The NDA 2 Answer Key 2026 is expected to be released a few days after the written examination scheduled for September 13, 2026. Based on the NDA 1 2026 timeline, candidates may expect the provisional answer key around September 17, 2026.
Will UPSC release a provisional NDA answer key?
Yes. UPSC has introduced the practice of releasing provisional answer keys for its structured examinations in 2026, and the NDA 1 2026 provisional answer keys for Mathematics and GAT were released shortly after the examination, allowing candidates to submit objections.
Where can candidates download NDA Answer Key 2026 PDF?
Candidates can download the official NDA Answer Key 2026 from the UPSC website under the Answer Key section (available under the Examination tab) once it is released. The PDF will contain solutions for both Maths and GAT papers.
Can candidates challenge the NDA Answer Key 2026?
Yes. Under UPSC's updated 2026 policy, candidates can submit representations against the provisional NDA Answer Key through the Commission's designated online portal within the objection period announced by UPSC. For NDA 1 2026, candidates were allowed to raise objections until April 22, 2026.
How many answer keys are released for NDA exam?
UPSC releases separate answer keys for both papers of the NDA examination: Mathematics and General Ability Test. Each paper includes answers for all question booklet sets, such as Set A, Set B, Set C, and Set D.
How can candidates calculate their score using NDA Answer Key 2026?
To calculate the score, count correct and incorrect responses and apply the official marking scheme where 2.5 marks are awarded for each correct Maths answer, 4 marks are awarded for each correct GAT answer, and 1/3rd negative marking for wrong responses.
Is the NDA answer key released for both NDA 1 and NDA 2?
Yes, UPSC releases answer keys separately for both NDA 1 and NDA 2 examinations conducted in the same year. Each session has its own question papers, answer keys, and result cycle.
Does the NDA Answer Key include solutions or only answers?
The official UPSC NDA answer key contains only the correct options for each question and does not provide detailed explanations or solutions.
Why is the NDA answer key released late by UPSC?
UPSC releases the NDA answer key only after the final result to avoid disputes during the selection process and to ensure that evaluation remains confidential and legally secure until recruitment is completed.
Is there negative marking in NDA exam while using the answer key?
Yes, negative marking is applicable in the NDA exam. Incorrect answers in Mathematics lead to a deduction of approximately 0.83 marks, while incorrect responses in the GAT paper result in a deduction of 1.33 marks.
Will UPSC release NDA Answer Key 2026 in Hindi and English?
Since the NDA question papers are bilingual, the answer key corresponds to both English and Hindi versions of the question booklet.