The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the provisional answer keys for the UGC-NET June 2026 examination on August 16, giving candidates an opportunity to check their answers and estimate their performance before the final results are prepared. The provisional keys have been released for 84 subjects. Candidates can also access their recorded responses and question papers through the official UGC-NET portal. The release is an important stage in the examination process because candidates can now compare the answers marked during the examination with the responses provided by NTA.
Candidates who believe that an answer in the provisional key is incorrect can submit an objection through the official online portal. The objection window opened on August 16 and will close on August 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM. A processing fee of ₹200 per question challenged is applicable.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
NTA released the UGC-NET June 2026 provisional answer key on August 16. Answer keys are currently available for 84 subjects.
Candidates can check their recorded responses and question papers. Objection window is open from August 16 to August 18, 2026.
The deadline is 11:59 PM on August 18. Objection fee is ₹200 per question.
Challenges must be submitted online with supporting evidence. English, Commerce and Sociology are being handled separately amid reported question-paper errors.
The provisional key will be reviewed before the final answer key is prepared.
NTA has also made it clear that objections must be submitted online through the designated portal and should be supported by appropriate documentary evidence. Challenges submitted through other modes will not be considered.
There is an additional development concerning three subjects — English, Commerce and Sociology. NTA has withheld the answer keys for these subjects for the time being after complaints regarding different types of errors in the question papers. A committee has been constituted to examine the complaints, with a separate notice expected regarding the next steps.
The provisional answer key is not the final answer key. NTA will examine the objections received from candidates and make corrections wherever required before preparing the final answer key. The final evaluation and results will follow the prescribed examination process.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
For thousands of candidates, the provisional key is the first chance to know whether their answers match NTA's official responses. A valid objection can also lead to a correction being applied to candidates of the concerned subject.
For candidates who have been waiting for the answer key, the release provides the first opportunity to get a clearer idea of their likely performance. However, candidates should avoid treating their provisional score as final until NTA completes the objection process and publishes the final answer key.
