Summary: The UPSC NDA 2 2026 provisional answer key is now released. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) published the official provisional answer key for the NDA & NA (II) 2026 examination on September 16, 2026, covering both Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Candidates who appeared for the examination on September 13 can now check the official answers and compare them with their responses.

NDA 2 2026 Official Provisional Answer Key Out Now: Big Update!

Major Kalshi Classes (MKC) had already released its unofficial NDA 2 2026 answer key on September 13, covering Mathematics and GAT for Sets A, B, C, and D. Candidates can now use the UPSC provisional answer key to cross-check their responses and get a clearer estimate of their performance. 

NDA 2 2026 Official Provisional Answer Key: Latest Update

UPSC conducted the NDA & NA (II) 2026 examination on September 13, 2026. UPSC released the official provisional answer key on September 16, 2026, three days after the examination. UPSC has published separate PDFs for Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT) on its official website.

Click Here to Download PDF File

What is a Provisional Answer Key? 

A provisional answer key is the initial official answer key released by the examination authority after the exam. It contains the answers considered correct by the authority and allows candidates to compare their responses, estimate their probable scores, and identify any discrepancies. 

If an objection facility is provided, candidates can raise objections against the provisional answers within the prescribed period. 

After reviewing the objections, the authority may make necessary changes before finalising the answer key.

NDA 2 2026 Answer Key: Quick Overview

MKC NDA 2 2026 Unofficial Answer Key Released

Major Kalshi Classes released the NDA 2 2026 unofficial answer key on September 13, 2026, shortly after the examination. 

The MKC answer key covers both Mathematics and GAT and is available for Sets A, B, C, and D. It was prepared to help candidates check their answers, estimate their probable marks, and analyse their performance before the UPSC official key was released. 

Candidates can now compare their responses with both the MKC answer key and the official UPSC provisional answer key. For the latest official status, candidates should rely on the UPSC answer key published on the Commission's website.

(Download MKC NDA 2 2026 Answer Key - Maths & GAT)

How to Download the UPSC NDA 2 2026 Provisional Answer Key?

Candidates can download the official answer key from the UPSC website by following these steps:

1. Visit the official UPSC website.
2. Go to the Examination section.
3. Open the Answer Keys section.
4. Find National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026.
5. Open the Provisional Answer Key link.
6. Select the Mathematics or General Ability Test PDF.
7. Download the answer key and compare it with your responses.

UPSC's official page currently lists separate provisional answer key documents for Mathematics and GAT.

NDA 2 2026 Marking Scheme

Candidates can use the official answer key to calculate their probable written-exam score according to the NDA marking scheme.

• Mathematics: +2.5 marks for every correct answer.
• Mathematics: 0.83 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
• GAT: +4 marks for every correct answer.
• GAT: 1.33 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
• An incorrect response, including marking more than one option for a question, attracts negative marking.

Candidates should calculate Mathematics and GAT scores separately before adding them to estimate their overall written score.

What Is the Difference Between the MKC and UPSC Answer Keys?

The MKC answer key is an unofficial faculty-prepared key, released on September 13 immediately after the examination. It was made available for all four question-paper sets in Mathematics and GAT so that candidates could check their performance without waiting for the Commission's official key. 

The UPSC provisional answer key is the official answer key released by the examination authority. Candidates should use the UPSC key for the official answer-key and objection process.

NDA 2 2026 Answer Key: What Should Candidates Do Now?

After downloading the official provisional answer key, candidates should match the answers with the responses they marked in the examination and calculate their probable score. They can also compare the official key with the earlier MKC key to identify any differences in answers.

Candidates who identify an issue in the provisional answer key should follow the objection procedure specified by UPSC within the prescribed period. The Commission will consider valid representations according to its stated process before the answer-key process is concluded.

What Happens After the NDA 2 2026 Answer Key?

After the answer-key and objection process, candidates should wait for the NDA 2 2026 written result. Candidates who qualify the written examination will proceed to the subsequent selection stages, including the SSB interview, subject to meeting the prescribed eligibility and other requirements.

Candidates should rely on the official UPSC website for confirmed updates regarding the answer key, result, and subsequent stages of the examination.