UGC NET December 2025 Provisional Answer Keys Released:

New Delhi, january 15, 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the provisional answer keys for the UGC NET December 2025 cycle. Candidates who appeared for the prestigious eligibility examination can now access their response sheets and the provisional keys on the official website at ugcnet.nta.nic.in.

The examination, which was conducted from December 31, 2025, to January 7, 2026, saw participation from over 7.35 lakh candidates across 85 subjects. The release of the provisional key marks the final stage before the declaration of results, providing a crucial opportunity for aspirants to verify their performance.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Candidates must act quickly if they spot discrepancies in the provided answers. The NTA has set a strict timeline for the challenge process:

How to Raise Objections

If a candidate finds an answer in the provisional key to be incorrect, they can challenge it through the official portal. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Login: Visit the official NTA website and log in using your Application Number and Date of Birth (or Password).
2. View Responses: Click on “View Question Paper” to see your marked responses and “View/Challenge Answer Key” to see the official keys.
3. Select Challenges: Identify the Question ID you wish to contest and select the “Correct Option” you believe is right.
4. Upload Proof: Candidates must upload supporting documents (standard textbooks or peer-reviewed journals) in a single PDF file to substantiate their claim.
5. Payment: Pay a non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 per question challenged. Payment can be made via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

What Happens Next?

All challenges submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts.

• If a challenge is found valid: The answer key will be revised accordingly. This change will be applied to the results of all candidates who had that specific question.
• Final Result: The final result and the “Final Answer Key” will be prepared based on these experts’ recommendations.
• Individual Feedback: The NTA has clarified that no individual candidate will be informed about the acceptance or rejection of their specific challenge.

Estimated Score Calculation

Since there is no negative marking in the UGC NET exam, candidates can estimate their scores by awarding 2 marks for every correct answer matched with the provisional key. This raw score often serves as a reliable indicator of whether a candidate will meet the expected cut-off for Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).