The Union Public Service Commission has released the UPSC NDA II Answer Key 2026 on 16 September 2026 after conducting the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 on 13 September 2026. Candidates who appeared in the examination can now use the answer key to review their responses and get an idea of their probable performance.
The NDA II examination is conducted for admission to different training streams under the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy. A total of 394 vacancies are available for Army, Navy, Air Force and Naval Academy 10+2 Scheme posts. Candidates should carefully check the answer key and keep their examination details available for the next stage of the selection process.
Latest Update
The UPSC NDA II Answer Key 2026 is available from 16 September 2026. The written examination was held on 13 September 2026, and the admit card was made available from 03 September 2026.
Candidates who appeared for NDA II can now check the released answer key and compare the answers attempted in the examination. The answer key can also help candidates understand their expected performance before the result is announced.
The UPSC NDA II Result 2026 will be released separately after completion of the evaluation process. Candidates should keep checking their application and examination details for further updates.
Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination | National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 |
| Exam Name | UPSC NDA II 2026 |
| Update | Answer Key Out |
| Answer Key Date | 16 September 2026 |
| Examination Date | 13 September 2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 394 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Written Examination and Further Selection Stages |
| Official Status | Answer Key Available |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begin | 20 May 2026 |
| Last Date for Apply Online | 11 June 2026 up to 06:00 PM |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 11 June 2026 |
| Correction Form | As per Schedule |
| Exam Held On | 13 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Available | 03 September 2026 |
| Answer Key Available | 16 September 2026 |
Application Fee
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / UR | ₹100 |
| EWS | ₹100 |
| OBC | ₹100 |
| SC | ₹0 |
| ST | ₹0 |
The examination fee could be paid through the prescribed online and offline payment options, including Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card and E-Challan.
Candidates should keep their payment details and application information safely available for future reference.
Age Limit
For UPSC NDA II 2026, the candidate's date of birth should fall within the prescribed range:
| Age Requirement | Date |
|---|---|
| Candidate should not be born before | 01 January 2008 |
| Candidate should not be born after | 01 January 2011 |
Age-related eligibility and any applicable relaxation will be governed by the recruitment rules mentioned for the examination.
Vacancy Details
The UPSC NDA II 2026 examination has a total of 394 vacancies across the NDA and Naval Academy streams.
| Service | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| NDA Army | 198 | 10 | 208 |
| NDA Navy | 37 | 05 | 42 |
| NDA Airforce Flying | 90 | 02 | 92 |
| NDA Airforce Ground Duties Technical | 16 | 02 | 18 |
| NDA Airforce Ground Duties Non-Technical | 08 | 02 | 10 |
| Naval Academy 10+2 Scheme | 21 | 03 | 24 |
| Total | 370 | 24 | 394 |
The vacancy distribution shows opportunities across Army, Navy, Air Force and Naval Academy streams. Candidates should check the applicable educational requirements before considering a particular service preference.
Eligibility Details
The educational qualification differs according to the selected wing.
| Wing / Course | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Army Wing | Passed or appearing in 10+2 examination from any recognized board in India |
| Air Force Wing | Passed or appearing in 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics |
| Naval Wing | Passed or appearing in 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics |
| Naval Academy 10+2 Scheme | Passed or appearing in 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics |
Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination can also be considered where permitted under the applicable examination conditions.
UPSC NDA II Answer Key 2026
The NDA II Answer Key 2026 has been released on 16 September 2026 following the written examination conducted on 13 September 2026.
The answer key is particularly useful for candidates who want to estimate their performance before the official result. By comparing the answers marked during the examination with the answers given in the key, candidates can calculate an approximate score according to the applicable marking scheme.
Candidates should remember that an estimated score based on the answer key is not the same as the final result. The official result will be prepared after the examination evaluation process is completed.
How to Check UPSC NDA II Answer Key 2026
Candidates can follow these general steps to access the answer key:
-
Open the UPSC examination website.
-
Look for the NDA II 2026 Answer Key related update.
-
Open the answer key link.
-
Select the relevant examination or paper, if multiple options are displayed.
-
Download or view the answer key.
-
Compare the answers with the responses marked in the examination.
-
Save a copy of the answer key for future reference.
It is useful to keep the downloaded answer key together with the examination details so that the information can be reviewed later when the result or subsequent selection updates are announced.
What Candidates Should Check in the Answer Key
After downloading the UPSC NDA II answer key, candidates should carefully compare each answer with the response they remember or have recorded from the examination.
Pay attention to:
-
Correct answers given in the answer key
-
Questions attempted during the examination
-
Questions left unanswered
-
Any difference between the expected and actual answers
-
Paper or subject details
-
Any instructions associated with the released key
Candidates expecting to qualify should also begin preparing for the next stage instead of waiting for the result announcement.
What Happens After NDA II Answer Key?
The answer key is an important post-examination update, but it is not the final selection result. After the written examination, the recruitment process moves toward result declaration and subsequent selection stages applicable to shortlisted candidates.
Candidates who qualify the written stage may need to proceed with the next required stages of the NDA selection process. Therefore, keeping educational certificates, identification documents and other required records ready can help avoid last-minute difficulties.
The UPSC NDA II Result 2026 will be published separately when available.
Selection Process
The UPSC NDA II selection process involves multiple stages. The written examination is followed by further selection activities for candidates who qualify for the required stage.
The broad process includes:
-
Written Examination
-
Shortlisting based on the written examination
-
Further selection / SSB-related stage
-
Document verification
-
Medical and other applicable requirements
The final progression depends on the applicable examination rules and the candidate's selected service or course.
Documents to Keep Ready
Candidates who are preparing for the next stage should keep their important documents organized. These may include:
-
NDA II application details
-
Examination-related documents
-
Valid identity proof
-
Class 10 certificate or date-of-birth proof
-
10+2 educational documents
-
Category certificate, where applicable
-
Recent photographs
-
Other documents required for subsequent selection stages
Candidates should use the exact document requirements applicable to their stage of recruitment.
Why the NDA II Answer Key Matters
The answer key gives candidates an early opportunity to review their examination performance. Instead of waiting only for the result, candidates can use the released answers to identify the questions they answered correctly and estimate their likely performance.
It can also help candidates decide how to prepare for the next stage. Those who expect to qualify should continue preparation for subsequent selection activities rather than stopping their studies after the written examination.
Important Points
-
UPSC NDA II Answer Key 2026 is out.
-
The answer key was made available on 16 September 2026.
-
The written examination was held on 13 September 2026.
-
A total of 394 vacancies are included in NDA II 2026.
-
Army Wing accepts candidates with 10+2 qualification or appearing status.
-
Physics and Mathematics are required for the Air Force and Naval Wing eligibility mentioned for this examination.
-
Candidates can use the answer key to review their expected performance.
-
The answer key should not be treated as the final result.
-
Candidates expecting to qualify should remain prepared for the next stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When was the UPSC NDA II Answer Key 2026 released?
The UPSC NDA II Answer Key 2026 was made available on 16 September 2026. Candidates who appeared in the written examination can use it to check their answers.
2. When was the UPSC NDA II 2026 examination conducted?
The NDA II 2026 written examination was conducted on 13 September 2026. The answer key was released shortly after the examination.
3. How many vacancies are available in UPSC NDA II 2026?
There are 394 total vacancies in UPSC NDA II 2026. These vacancies are distributed among Army, Navy, Air Force and Naval Academy 10+2 Scheme.
4. What is the total number of NDA Army vacancies?
The NDA Army has 208 vacancies, including 198 for male candidates and 10 for female candidates.
5. What is the eligibility for the NDA Army Wing?
Candidates must have passed or be appearing in the 10+2 examination from a recognized board in India. The applicable examination conditions should be checked before proceeding with the selection process.
6. What qualification is required for the Air Force Wing?
For the Air Force Wing, candidates should have passed or be appearing in 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics.
7. What qualification is required for the Naval Wing?
Candidates applying for the Naval Wing should have passed or be appearing in 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics.
8. What is the age limit for UPSC NDA II 2026?
For NDA II 2026, candidates should not have been born before 01 January 2008 or after 01 January 2011. The applicable examination rules govern the final age eligibility.
9. What is the application fee for General candidates?
The examination fee for General, EWS and OBC candidates is ₹100. SC and ST candidates are exempt from the examination fee as specified.
10. How can I use the NDA II Answer Key to estimate my score?
Compare the answers in the released key with the answers you marked in the examination. After considering the applicable marking rules, you can calculate an approximate score.
11. Is the NDA II Answer Key the final result?
No. The answer key and result are separate examination updates. The final result will be released separately after the evaluation process.
12. When was the NDA II admit card released?
The UPSC NDA II 2026 admit card was made available on 03 September 2026, before the written examination held on 13 September 2026.
13. What should candidates do after checking the answer key?
Candidates should assess their expected performance and continue preparing for the next selection stage if they expect to qualify. They should also keep their important documents organized.
14. How many vacancies are available for the Naval Academy 10+2 Scheme?
The Naval Academy 10+2 Scheme has 24 vacancies, including 21 for male candidates and 3 for female candidates.
15. What are the Air Force Ground Duties vacancies?
The Air Force Ground Duties vacancies are divided into Technical and Non-Technical categories. There are 18 Technical vacancies and 10 Non-Technical vacancies.
16. What payment methods were available for the NDA II application fee?
The examination fee could be paid through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card and the prescribed offline E-Challan payment method.
17. Can appearing candidates apply for NDA II 2026?
Yes, appearing candidates can be eligible for the relevant 10+2-based wings where the examination conditions permit. The required educational subjects differ between the Army and Air Force/Naval streams.
18. What update should candidates wait for after the NDA II Answer Key?
Candidates should watch for the UPSC NDA II Result 2026 and subsequent selection-related updates. Those expecting to qualify should continue preparing for the next stage.
Final Update
The UPSC NDA II Answer Key 2026 is now out on 16 September 2026 for the examination conducted on 13 September 2026. Candidates can use the released key to review their answers and estimate their probable performance.
With 394 vacancies across NDA and Naval Academy streams, candidates should stay attentive to the upcoming result and subsequent selection updates. Keep your application information and essential documents safely available so you are prepared for the next stage.