# NDA 2026 Question Paper: NDA 1 and NDA 2 Papers
> NDA 2026 previous year question paper: official PDFs (4 papers). Every question tagged by topic; most from Vocabulary, Algebra and Physics.
Source: https://previousyearquestions.app/nda/2026/
The 4 official NDA 2026 question papers are on this page as PDFs from UPSC, with the original source linked beside each file. The NDA exam covers Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). Download them below, then sit the paper under exam timing with the attempt plan and error-log routine on this page.
Explore: NDA hub · Topic-wise PYQs · Syllabus & pattern · NDA 2025 · CDS 2026 · How to use PYQs
**[Download the official NDA 2026 question papers (PDF)](#download-question-paper)**, hosted on this site with the official source linked.
## NDA 2026 at a glance
UPSC held both NDA & NA sittings in 2026: **NDA (I) in April** and **NDA (II) in September**. Each sitting has a Mathematics paper and a General Ability Test (GAT), and all four papers are hosted below.
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Time |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mathematics | 120 | 300 | 2½ hours |
| General Ability Test | 150 (Part A English, Part B General Knowledge) | 600 | 2½ hours |
These figures are printed on the 2026 test booklets. Both papers are bilingual (Hindi and English), with four options per question and a penalty for wrong answers.
## Paper analysis
### Snapshot of NDA 2026
The pattern was the same in both sittings. With two full sets from one year, you can sit NDA (I) early in your preparation and keep NDA (II) as a later check on whether your weak chapters have actually improved.
### What this paper stresses
- Maths speed: 120 questions in 150 minutes leaves little more than a minute each.
- Negative marking on guesses, in both papers.
- The GK half of GAT, which spans physics, chemistry, history, geography and current events.
- English vocabulary and error-spotting questions that look easy and cost time.
### What to extract before you move on
- Maths chapters where you were slow even when right.
- Your guess accuracy: how many guessed answers were right vs wrong.
- GK areas by subject, so revision follows your misses rather than the syllabus order.
- A personal attempt target for each paper that keeps negatives in check.
Looking for other UPSC papers? Check the [official archive](https://www.upsc.gov.in/examinations/previous-question-papers).
## Topic-wise analysis
We tagged every question in the 4 official 2026 papers on this page by topic: 540 questions (540 MCQ). The topics with the most questions:
- **Mathematics:** [Algebra](/nda/topics/algebra/) 51, [Statistics and Probability](/nda/topics/nda-statistics-probability/) 40, [Differential Calculus](/nda/topics/differential-calculus/) 33 questions across the 4 papers.
- **English:** [Vocabulary](/nda/topics/english-vocabulary/) 56, [Grammar and Usage](/nda/topics/english-grammar/) 39, [Sentence Organisation and Improvement](/nda/topics/english-sentence-organisation/) 5 questions across the 4 papers.
- **General Knowledge:** [Physics](/nda/topics/gk-physics/) 50, [Geography](/nda/topics/gk-geography/) 39, [Chemistry](/nda/topics/gk-chemistry/) 30 questions across the 4 papers.
Against [NDA 2025](/nda/2025/), the biggest changes in question count: Vocabulary +24, Sentence Organisation and Improvement -15, Polity and Economy +12, Comprehension -10.
## How to sit NDA 2026
1. Download the Mathematics and GAT papers of one sitting (NDA I or NDA II) from this page.
2. Sit Mathematics for 2½ hours in the morning and GAT for 2½ hours after a break, as on exam day.
3. Score both with the penalty for wrong answers printed on the booklet.
4. Fill the error log the same day: paper, chapter or GK area, and miss type (concept, silly, time, or misread).
5. A week later, sit the other 2026 sitting and compare.
## Other years in this decade
- [NDA 2025](/nda/2025/)
- [NDA 2024](/nda/2024/)
- [NDA 2023](/nda/2023/)
- [NDA 2022](/nda/2022/)
- [NDA 2021](/nda/2021/)
- [NDA 2020](/nda/2020/)
- [NDA 2019](/nda/2019/)
- [NDA 2018](/nda/2018/)
- [NDA 2017](/nda/2017/)
- [NDA 2016](/nda/2016/)
## FAQ
### Where can I download the NDA 2026 question papers?
On this page: Mathematics and GAT for both NDA (I) 2026 and NDA (II) 2026, from upsc.gov.in.
### How many questions are in the NDA 2026 Maths paper?
120 questions for 300 marks in 2½ hours.
### How many questions are in the NDA 2026 GAT paper?
150 questions for 600 marks in 2½ hours, in two parts: English and General Knowledge.
### When were the NDA 2026 exams held?
NDA (I) 2026 was held in April 2026 and NDA (II) 2026 in September 2026.
### Is there negative marking in NDA 2026?
Yes. The booklets state a penalty for wrong answers in both papers.
### Where is the NDA syllabus and pattern?
See the NDA syllabus & pattern page, and check the current UPSC notification.
## Related reading
- [How to use previous year papers](/guides/how-to-use-previous-year-papers/)
- [How many years of PYQs?](/guides/how-many-years-of-pyqs/)
- [Memory-based vs official papers](/guides/memory-based-vs-official-papers/)
- [NDA syllabus & pattern](/nda/syllabus-pattern/)