UPSC NDA & NA: papers, duration, marks and negative marking
The UPSC NDA & NA written examination has two objective papers — Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600 marks) — each of 2½ hours, for 900 marks in total, per the NDA & NA (II) 2026 notice.
Scheme of the written examination
| Subject | Code | Duration | Maximum marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 01 | 2½ hours | 300 |
| General Ability Test | 02 | 2½ hours | 600 |
| Written total | 900 | ||
| SSB Test/Interview | 900 |
Marking
- The papers in all subjects consist of objective type questions only.
- Penalty for wrong answers: there are four alternatives for every question, and 1/3 of the marks assigned to the question is deducted for each wrong answer.
- Calculators and mathematical or logarithmic tables are not permitted.
- The Commission has discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all subjects.
- Figures are from UPSC Examination Notice No. 10/2026-NDA-II; check the notice for the cycle you sit.
Frequently asked questions
- How many papers are there in the UPSC NDA written exam?
- Two: Mathematics (300 marks) and the General Ability Test (600 marks), each of 2½ hours.
- Is there negative marking in NDA?
- Yes. For each wrong answer, 1/3 of the marks assigned to that question is deducted.
- What are the total marks in NDA?
- 900 for the written examination and 900 for the SSB Test/Interview.