NDA 1 2026 Cut off and Exam Analysis

NDA 1 2026 Cut Off

The UPSC NDA 1 2026 exam has just been conducted, and for thousands of aspirants across the country, it was more than just a paper. It was a step closer to the dream of wearing the uniform and serving the nation. After months of preparation, hard work, and pressure, one question is now running through every candidate’s mind. ‘What will be the expected cut off for NDA 1 2026?’

If you’re thinking the same, you’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll break it down for you with a detailed analysis of the expected cut off, a safe score to aim for, and insights based on previous year trends along with the difficulty level of today’s exam. This will help you understand exactly where you stand.

The exam consists of 2 papers: Paper I: Mathematics and Paper-II: General Ability Test . The Mathematics paper consists of 120 Questions that are of 2.5 marks each, while the General Ability Test consists of 150 Questions that are of 4 marks each.

The Mathematics paper (Paper 1) was held from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. Based on students feedback, this year’s Maths paper was moderate to slightly difficult. Most of the questions came from limits, mean observation based on integration, Differential equation, applications, trigonometry, complex number, height & distance, permutation & combination, probability, maxima and minima. Overall, if you attempted around 50–60 questions, it can be considered a good attempt in today’s paper.

The General Ability Test (Paper 2) was conducted from 2 PM to 4:30 PM and consisted of 150 questions, each carrying four marks. The paper had a balanced mix, with a good number of questions from Physics, Geography, History, and Current Affairs.

The overall level of the GAT paper was balanced, neither too easy nor overly difficult. If you managed to attempt around 80–90 questions with good accuracy (around 90%), it can be considered a strong performance and puts you in a safe zone.

Previous Year NDA Cut off Trends:

NDA 1 2026 Cut off (Expected):

According to the previous years cutoff trends, the expected cutoff is given below:

Download NDA (1) 2026 Question Papers:

A large number of candidates who prepared using the Mission NDA book found themselves at a clear advantage in today’s exam. What stood out the most is that quite a few questions were directly based on concepts and patterns covered in the Mission NDA book, which gave students an extra edge in the exam hall. Along with this, those who practiced regularly with the NDA Countdown Mock Test Papers mentioned how it helped them build real exam confidence. The practice felt so close to the actual paper that they were able to manage time better, stay calm under pressure, and attempt the paper more effectively.