NE EDUCATION BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUG 16
The wait is over, but the scrutiny begins now. Candidates who appeared for the UGC NET June 2026 examination can now put their answers under the microscope, compare their recorded responses with the provisional key and get an early indication of their likely scores, as the National Testing Agency (NTA) released the provisional answer key on Sunday.
- NTA releases provisional answer key, recorded responses and question papers for UGC NET June 2026
- Challenges open till August 18; candidates must pay ₹200 per question for every objection
- Provisional keys available for 84 subjects; English, Commerce and Sociology to follow separately
- NTA panel examining complaints over errors in question papers of three remaining subjects
The provisional answer key, along with candidates’ recorded responses and question papers, has been made available online through the official UGC NET website. Candidates have time until August 18 to challenge any answer they believe is incorrect or flag discrepancies in the provisional key.
Each challenge will attract a processing fee of ₹200 per question.
48-hour window to challenge
The provisional key gives candidates an important opportunity to identify errors before the final answer key is prepared.
Those who disagree with an answer in the provisional key can submit their objections through the designated online mechanism within the prescribed deadline. Candidates must pay the ₹200 processing fee for every question challenged.
The objections received within the stipulated period will be examined by the concerned authorities before the NTA finalises the answer key.
Keys released for 84 subjects
According to the NTA notice, provisional answer keys have been uploaded for 84 subjects, enabling candidates to simultaneously access their recorded responses and question papers.
However, candidates appearing for English, Commerce and Sociology will have to wait for the provisional keys for these three subjects.
The NTA said: “In respect of the three remaining subjects, namely English, Commerce and Sociology, a committee was constituted to look into the complaints received regarding various types of errors in the question papers. Based on the recommendations of this committee, a public notice with regard to these 3 subjects is being issued separately, later today.”
How candidates can check the key
Candidates can access the UGC NET June 2026 provisional answer key by visiting the official UGC NET website and clicking on the relevant UGC NET June 2026 Answer Key link.
They will then have to log in using their application number and password or date of birth, depending on the login option available.
Once authenticated, candidates can view their provisional answer key, recorded response sheet and question paper.
Candidates should carefully compare each response recorded in their response sheet with the corresponding answer in the provisional key.
Calculate probable score, preserve records
The provisional key also enables candidates to make a preliminary assessment of their likely performance before the declaration of the final results.
Candidates who identify an incorrect answer or discrepancy can submit a challenge within the deadline after paying the prescribed processing fee.
Following scrutiny of the challenges, the NTA will take appropriate action and prepare the final answer key.
Candidates are advised to download and preserve the provisional answer key, recorded response sheet and question paper for future reference and for calculating their probable scores before the final results are announced.
