UGC-NET Answer Key Released; Objections Close August 18

The National Testing Agency has released the provisional answer keys and recorded responses for the June 2026 UGC-NET examination, opening a short challenge window that closes on August 18. Candidates who believe an official answer is incorrect must submit the objection through the designated online portal and pay ₹200 for each key challenged.

This is a provisional stage, not the result. Subject experts will examine valid challenges before NTA prepares a final answer key. Scores are calculated from that final key, and the agency says it does not individually inform candidates whether a particular objection was accepted.

## What candidates should download now

The first task is to save three documents: the attempted question paper, recorded-response sheet and subject-wise provisional key. The UGC-NET bulletin warns that the response sheet may not remain available after the result. A screenshot is useful, but a downloaded copy showing the question ID and option ID is better for a formal challenge.

Candidates should calculate their likely score carefully. UGC-NET uses two papers taken together, and there is no negative marking under the published scheme. The question and option identifiers on the portal, rather than a coaching institute’s numbering, should be used when comparing responses.

If an answer appears wrong, the strongest objection is short and verifiable. It should identify the precise question, state the answer proposed by the candidate and attach a reliable reference. A standard textbook, statute, official report or primary academic source carries more weight than a social-media post or a coaching video. Where a question is ambiguous, the objection should explain exactly why more than one option may be correct or why no option fits.

## The fee and deadline matter

NTA charges a non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 per challenged answer. Only objections submitted through the official link, within the window and with successful payment are considered. Emailing a complaint or posting it publicly does not replace the portal process.

Candidates contesting several questions should therefore avoid filing impulsively. They can coordinate with teachers or peers to check references, but each person must decide whether to submit and pay from their own account. Copies of the acknowledgement and payment receipt should be saved.

The agency’s bulletin says challenges without evidence, after the deadline or through another medium will not be entertained. Heavy traffic near the closing time is common on examination portals, so waiting until the final hour creates an avoidable risk.

## What happens after August 18

Experts appointed by NTA review the objections and revise or drop questions where necessary. The final answer key then becomes the basis for the result. The bulletin states that no grievance about an answer key will be entertained after the result is declared, making this two-day window the candidate’s main procedural opportunity to raise a technical issue.

The examination determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as assistant professor and, in applicable cases, PhD admission. The stakes make transparency especially important. NTA should publish the final key in a format that makes changes visible, even though it does not release individual decisions on objections.

Candidates should use only the UGC-NET or NTA website, not links sent in unsolicited messages. The challenge process does not require anyone to share a password, one-time code or remote access to a device. A careful submission today is more useful than a rushed complaint after the result.