UGC NET June 2026 answer key: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the provisional answer key for the UGC NET June 2026 examination shortly on its official portal. Although the examination process concluded with the re-examination conducted on July 5, 2026, the agency has not formally announced the release date for the provisional answer key or candidate response sheets.Based on previous examination cycles and media reports, the provisional answer key and recorded responses are expected to be made available during the third or fourth week of July 2026. Once released, candidates will be able to access the provisional answer key, question paper and response sheet through their login credentials on the official UGC NET portal.How candidates can download the answer keyCandidates will have to visit the official UGC NET website and select the active link for the UGC NET June 2026 answer key and challenge window. They must log in using their application number along with their date of birth or password and the displayed security pin. After logging in, the candidate dashboard will provide access to the provisional answer key, recorded response sheet and question paper, which can be downloaded in PDF format.Challenge process and processing feeCandidates will be permitted to raise objections against the provisional answer key after its publication. Each challenge will require payment of a non-refundable processing fee of ?200 per question. If subject experts accept an objection, the fee paid for that question will be refunded directly to the candidate’s bank account. After reviewing all valid objections, NTA will publish the final answer key, which will be used for preparing the final scorecards.Examination details and qualification criteriaThe June 2026 examination covered 87 subjects, including the newly introduced Statistics and Forestry disciplines. The computer-based test carried 150 objective-type questions for a total of 300 marks without negative marking. Examinations were conducted in two daily shifts from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm.A total of 9,93,702 candidates registered for the examination, while 7,35,614 appeared, resulting in an attendance rate of around 74 per cent. The application process opened on April 29, 2026 and closed on May 24, 2026. Results are expected in August 2026 after the objection process is completed. Only the top 6 per cent of candidates based on aggregate scores will qualify for Assistant Professor eligibility. During the previous December 2025 cycle, 5,108 candidates secured the Junior Research Fellowship.
