When the answer key is expected
The National Testing Agency is expected to release the provisional UGC NET June 2026 answer key before July 25, 2026, on the official portal, ugcnet.nta.nic.in (also accessible via ugcnet.nta.ac.in). Alongside the answer key, NTA also releases each candidate's individual question paper and recorded response sheet.

How to download it
Visit the official website, click the "UGC NET June 2026 Answer Key" link under Latest Announcements, and log in using your application number along with your date of birth or password, plus a security PIN. Once logged in, the provisional answer key, question paper and response sheet will appear on screen — download and save all three as PDFs for your records.

How to calculate your probable score
The marking scheme is straightforward, with no negative marking involved anywhere. Candidates get 2 marks for every correct answer, zero marks for incorrect answers, and zero marks for questions left unattempted. Total score is simply the number of correct answers multiplied by 2.

Qualifying marks
To qualify for UGC NET, candidates need to clear both papers together and reach the minimum aggregate percentage required for their category — 40 percent for General category candidates, and 35 percent for reserved category candidates.

How to raise an objection
If you spot what you believe is an incorrect answer, wrong question ID, or factual error in the provisional key, you can challenge it through the official portal. Log in using your credentials, select the disputed question, upload supporting academic evidence or references, and pay the required objection fee. The objection window typically stays open for only three to four days after the provisional key is released, so candidates should act quickly rather than wait.

Objection fee and rules
Each objection costs ₹200 per question, payable only online via debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI. The fee is strictly non-refundable, even if your objection is ultimately accepted. Challenges submitted without the fee, or through any mode other than the official online portal, are automatically rejected. Objections can only be raised against the provisional answer key — once the final key is released, no further challenges will be entertained on any question.

What happens after objections close
NTA reviews all valid objections through its subject-matter experts and revises answers where warranted before publishing the final answer key, which cannot be challenged again. Based on previous years' patterns, the UGC NET Result 2026 is expected around the first week of August 2026, roughly 15-20 days after the objection window closes, with the scorecard and final answer key released alongside the result.

What candidates should do now
Download your response sheet and provisional answer key the moment they're released, calculate your probable score using the simple formula above, and if you find a genuine discrepancy, gather your supporting documentation and file your objection well before the window closes — waiting until the last day risks technical delays that could cost you the challenge altogether.