How it's calculated
Unattempted questions score zero. Fractions are kept exact and the total is rounded once, to two decimals.
Estimate only. Official results, marks and eligibility are decided by the Union Public Service Commission. Verify on the official website.
Worked example: Written examination
Mathematics: 96 right, 12 wrong; General Ability Test, Part A: English: 40 right, 5 wrong; General Ability Test, Part B: General Knowledge: 80 right, 10 wrong. Total: 690 out of 900.
NDA 2026 exam pattern and marking
Written examination
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Wrong answer | Max marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 120 | 2.5 | −5/6 | 300 |
| General Ability Test, Part A: English | 50 | 4 | −4/3 | 200 |
| General Ability Test, Part B: General Knowledge | 100 | 4 | −4/3 | 400 |
Using your score
- Count right and wrong answers from the official answer key for a reliable score.
- The notification prints the marks for each paper but not the number of questions. The counts here are read from the official NDA & NA (II) 2026 question papers, which are numbered to 120 for Mathematics and to 150 for the General Ability Test.
- Mathematics and Part B of the General Ability Test are set in both Hindi and English; Part A is in English only.
Frequently asked questions
What is the negative marking in NDA 2026?
Written examination: +2.5 for a right answer, −5/6 for a wrong one; +4 for a right answer, −4/3 for a wrong one.
What are the total marks in Written examination?
900 marks: Mathematics (120 questions), General Ability Test, Part A: English (50 questions), General Ability Test, Part B: General Knowledge (100 questions).
Is an unattempted question marked negatively?
No. Only wrong answers carry a penalty. A question left blank scores zero.
How do I count my right and wrong answers?
Compare your responses with the official answer key published by the exam body. Count only the questions you marked: those matching the key are right, the rest are wrong.
How much is deducted for a wrong answer in NDA?
One third of the marks assigned to that question, in the notification’s own words — which is not the same number in both papers. Mathematics is 300 marks over 120 questions, so a question is worth 2.5 and a wrong answer costs 5/6, about 0.83. The General Ability Test is 600 marks over 150 questions, so a question is worth 4 and a wrong answer costs 4/3, about 1.33.
How is the General Ability Test split?
Part A is English for 200 marks and Part B is General Knowledge for 400. The official question paper heads Part B "PART – B" at question 51 and runs to 150, so English is questions 1 to 50 and General Knowledge 51 to 150. Both parts carry 4 marks a question.
Does the SSB interview count towards this score?
No. This calculator scores the written examination, which is 900 marks. The SSB Test and Interview carries a further 900 marks and is assessed separately at the Services Selection Board, so the final merit is out of 1,800.
Is a question left blank penalised?
No. The penalty applies only to a wrong answer. Marking more than one answer counts as wrong and carries the same penalty, even if one of the options you marked was the right one.
Sources
- UPSC: National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II), 2026 notification, dated 20 May 2026 — Appendix I scheme (Mathematics 300, General Ability Test 600, each 2½ hours), Part 'A' English 200 and Part 'B' General Knowledge 400, and the penalty: "one third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty", Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- UPSC: NDA & NA (II) 2026 question paper, Mathematics (numbered to question 120), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- UPSC: NDA & NA (II) 2026 question paper, General Ability Test (Part B headed "PART - B" at question 51, numbered to 150), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)