Aspiring candidates aiming to join the esteemed National Defence Academy (NDA) must stay thoroughly informed about the upcoming selection cycles. Conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy examination serves as a premier gateway for youth wishing to serve in the defense forces. With 394 vacancies (posts) available for the NDA 2026 exam, understanding the intricacies of the selection process is vital for success.
NDA 2 2026 Examination Overview
The NDA 2 2026 exam is scheduled for 13th September 2026. Administered as an offline (pen and paper) test, the evaluation is split into specific assessment areas designed to test both quantitative aptitude and general knowledge. Successful candidates who clear the written phase will subsequently be called for an Intelligence Test.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | NDA 2 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Exam Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Papers | Mathematics & GAT |
| Total Marks | 900 |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Duration | 2.5 hours (each paper) |
| Negative Marking | Yes |
Comprehensive NDA Exam Pattern Checklist
To optimize your preparation plan, review the key structural constraints of the examination layout:
- Mode: Offline
- Mathematics: 120 questions, 300 marks, 2.5 hours duration
- Mathematics Negative Marking: 0.83 marks
- GAT English: 200 marks
- GAT General Knowledge: 400 marks
- Total Marks: 900
Mathematics Paper Pattern
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 120 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Duration | 2.5 Hours |
| Negative Marking | 0.83 marks |
General Ability Test (GAT) Pattern
| Section | Marks |
|---|---|
| English | 200 |
| General Knowledge | 400 |
| Total | 600 |
How to Use NDA Question Papers for Preparation
Practicing with past papers and official question banks is a proven method to boost confidence and accuracy. Follow these structured steps to maximize your output:
- Solve the question paper in a timed environment to simulate the real exam conditions.
- Analyze each question carefully after solving to understand the underlying concepts.
- Focus on frequently asked topics.
- Revise mathematical formulas regularly.
- For GAT, keep updated with current affairs and static GK topics.
- Analyze mistakes to identify and focus on weak areas.
Access Question Paper PDFs and Resources
Reviewing previous session papers helps benchmark your preparedness against actual testing metrics. Refer to the table below to access previous year question paper PDFs:
| NDA 1 Question Paper 2026 PYQ | Date & Shift Time | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Download PDF |
| GAT | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Download PDF |
Additionally, you can directly access the latest examination documents via these links:
Next Steps for Candidates
Once you have downloaded the required question paper PDFs and familiarized yourself with the exam structure, keep track of upcoming admit card timelines, verify your exam center details well in advance, and plan your travel arrangements to ensure a smooth reporting experience on the day of the exam.