The National Defence Academy (NDA) examination was held recently, and the Mathematics paper has already been conducted. Consequently, many candidates are eager to download the question paper. We are pleased to inform you that we have provided the PDF of the question paper right here, allowing you to view the questions. Additionally, this resource includes questions and answers from previous years,
which will prove to be immensely helpful in your career preparation. Furthermore, please note that the examination paper is available in both English and Hindi. Each paper is allotted a duration of 2.5 hours. The examination carries a total of 900 marks and comprises 270 questions, administered across various sets. If you require the paper, you can download it via the link provided below. The official answer key has not yet been released; however, the link will be activated immediately once it becomes available.
NDA 1 Question Paper 2026 Official Paper overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NDA 1 2026 (National Defence Academy) |
| Conducting Authority | UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Question Type | Objective (MCQ) |
| Total Papers | 2 Papers (Mathematics + GAT) |
| Total Questions | 270 Questions |
| Total Marks | 900 Marks |
| Duration | 2.5 Hours (Each Paper) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (Penalty for wrong answers) |
| Language | English & Hindi |
NDA 1 Question Paper 2026 – Paper-wise Breakdown
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 Hours |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2.5 Hours |
| Total | — | 270 | 900 | — |
NDA 1 2026 – Selection Process
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| Written Exam | 900 |
| SSB Interview | 900 |
| Total | 1800 Marks |
NDA 1 Question Paper 2026 PDF Download
NDA 1 2026 Question Paper (Set-wise)
The NDA 1 2026 exam was conducted by UPSC in offline mode, and the question paper was distributed in multiple sets to ensure fairness and prevent cheating. Each set contained the same pattern and difficulty level but with different question sequences.
| Paper | Set Code | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Set A | Download PDF |
| Mathematics | Set B | Download PDF |
| Mathematics | Set C | Download PDF |
| Mathematics | Set D | Download PDF |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Set A | Available Soon |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Set B | Download PDF |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Set C | Download PDF |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Set D | Download PDF |
Note: As official question papers become available, the links here will be updated.
NDA 1 2026 Question Paper – Subject-wise List
The NDA 1 2026 question paper is divided into two major sections: Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Below is the subject-wise breakdown for better understanding and preparation.
Mathematics Question Paper
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Coordinate Geometry
- Calculus
- Matrices & Determinants
- Statistics & Probability
- Vector Algebra
General Ability Test (GAT) Question Paper
English Section
- Grammar & Usage
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Sentence Improvement
- Spotting Errors
General Knowledge Section
- Physics
- Chemistry
- General Science
- History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)
- Geography (India & World)
- Current Affairs
NDA 1 2026 Answer Key
| Paper | Set Code | Answer Key | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Set A | Download PDF | Available (Unofficial) |
| Mathematics | Set B | Download PDF | Available (Unofficial) |
| Mathematics | Set C | Download PDF | Available (Unofficial) |
| Mathematics | Set D | Download PDF | Available (Unofficial) |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Set A | Download PDF | Available (Unofficial) |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Set B | Download PDF | Available (Unofficial) |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Set C | Download PDF | Available (Unofficial) |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | Set D | Download PDF | Available (Unofficial) |
NDA 1 2026 Paper Analysis
The NDA 1 2026 exam analysis provides insights into the difficulty level, good attempts, and subject-wise trends observed in the exam. This helps candidates understand the competition level and prepare better for upcoming exams.
| Section | Difficulty Level | Good Attempts | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Moderate to Difficult | 60–75 Questions | Concept-based questions; lengthy calculations; focus on Algebra & Trigonometry |
| English (GAT) | Easy to Moderate | 35–45 Questions | Grammar and vocabulary-based questions; comprehension was manageable |
| General Knowledge (GAT) | Moderate | 70–90 Questions | Balanced mix of Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography & Current Affairs |
| Overall | Moderate | 150–180 Questions | Well-balanced paper; time management was crucial |
NDA Previous Year Question Papers
Practicing NDA Previous Year Question Papers is one of the most effective ways to understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and frequently asked topics. UPSC has officially released NDA papers from previous years, which are available in both English and Hindi.
| Year | Exam | Mathematics Paper | GAT Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | NDA 1 & NDA 2 | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper |
| 2024 | NDA 1 & NDA 2 | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper |
| 2023 | NDA 1 & NDA 2 | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper |
| 2022 | NDA 1 & NDA 2 | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper |
| 2021 | NDA 1 & NDA 2 | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper |
| 2020 | NDA 1 & NDA 2 | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper |
| 2019 | NDA 1 & NDA 2 | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper |
| 2018 | NDA 1 & NDA 2 | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper | 1st Download PDF | 2nd paper |
NDA 1 2026 Exam Pattern
The NDA 1 2026 exam is conducted by UPSC in offline mode and consists of two stages: Written Examination and SSB Interview. Below is the detailed exam pattern for the written exam.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR Based) |
| Question Type | Objective (MCQs) |
| Total Papers | 2 (Mathematics + GAT) |
| Total Questions | 270 Questions |
| Total Marks | 900 Marks |
| Duration | 2.5 Hours (Each Paper) |
| Negative Marking | Yes (1/3 marks deducted for wrong answer) |
| Language | English & Hindi (GAT), Maths in English |
| Selection Process | Written Exam + SSB Interview |
NDA 1 2026 Paper-wise Exam Pattern
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration | Marks per Question |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 Hours | 2.5 Marks |
| Paper 2 | General Ability Test (GAT) | 150 | 600 | 2.5 Hours | 4 Marks |
| Total | — | 270 | 900 | — | — |
NDA 1 2026 Marking Scheme
The NDA 1 2026 marking scheme is designed to evaluate candidates based on accuracy and concept clarity. The exam includes negative marking, so candidates must attempt questions carefully.
| Paper | Total Questions | Total Marks | Marks per Question | Correct Answer | Wrong Answer | Unattempted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2.5 Marks | +2.5 Marks | -0.83 Marks | 0 Marks |
| GAT (General Ability Test) | 150 | 600 | 4 Marks | +4 Marks | -1.33 Marks | 0 Marks |
| Total | 270 | 900 | — | — | — | — |
Expected Cut Off 2026
| Category | Written Exam Cut Off (Out of 900) | Final Cut Off (Written + SSB) (Out of 1800) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 350 – 380 | 700 – 740 |
| OBC | 320 – 350 | 650 – 700 |
| SC | 290 – 320 | 580 – 630 |
| ST | 270 – 300 | 550 – 600 |
Overall Expected Cut Off (NDA 1 2026)
| Stage | Expected Cut Off |
|---|---|
| Written Exam | 355 – 385 Marks |
| Final Merit (Written + SSB) | 700 – 720 Marks |
Previous Year Cut Off (Table)
NDA Written Exam Cut Off (Out of 900)
| Year | NDA 1 Cut Off | NDA 2 Cut Off |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 291 | 305 |
| 2023 | 301 | 292 |
| 2022 | 360 | 316 |
| 2021 | 343 | 355 |
| 2020 | 355 | 355 |
| 2019 | 342 | 346 |
| 2018 | 338 | 325 |
| 2017 | 342 | 258 |
| 2016 | 288 | 229 |
| 2015 | 306 | 269 |
NDA Final Cut Off (Written + SSB) – Out of 1800
| Year | NDA 1 Final Cut Off | NDA 2 Final Cut Off |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 654 | 673 |
| 2023 | 664 | 656 |
| 2022 | 720 | 720 |
| 2021 | 709 | 726 |
| 2020 | 723 | 719 |
| 2019 | 704 | 709 |
| 2018 | 705 | 688 |
| 2017 | 708 | 624 |
| 2016 | 656 | 602 |
| 2015 | 674 | 637 |
Here, you have also been able to view the cut-off scores. While last year's cut-off was somewhat distinct, the projected cut-off for this year is expected to be significantly different. It is worth noting that for the written examination, the cut-off is expected to range between 355 and 385 marks; furthermore, for the final merit list, the cut-off is anticipated to fall within the range of 700 to 720 marks.
Comments ( 0)
Leave a Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!