The UGC NET Answer Key 2026 pdf is a very important document released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the exam is finished. It helps students check their answers, estimate their scores, and report any mistakes in the questions before the final results are announced.
What Is UGC NET?
The UGC NET (National Eligibility Test) is a national exam held twice a year. It determines if a candidate is qualified to become an Assistant Professor or receive a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
What Is the Answer Key?
The Answer Key is the official list of correct answers for the exam questions. It is released in two stages:
- Provisional Answer Key: This is released first. If you think an answer in this list is wrong, you can challenge it.
- Final Answer Key: After checking all challenges, this final version is released.
Why Is It Important?
The answer key allows you to:
- Check which of your answers were correct.
- Calculate your expected score.
- See if you are likely to qualify.
- Report incorrect questions to the NTA (if you have proof).
How to Download the Answer Key
Follow these steps to get the key:
- Go to the official website: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
- Click on the link for the Answer Key.
- Log in using your Application Number and Date of Birth (or Password).
- Download the Answer Key, the Question Paper, and your Response Sheet.
- Save these files to compare your answers.
Documents You Will See
When you log in, you will find three things:
- Question Paper: The actual questions asked in the exam.
- Provisional Answer Key: The official correct answers.
- Candidate Response Sheet: The answers you actually marked during the exam.
How to Calculate Your Score
The marking scheme for UGC NET is simple:
- Correct Answer: +2 marks
- Incorrect Answer: 0 marks (There is no penalty or negative marking).
- Unattempted Question: 0 marks
Calculation Formula: To find your score, count your correct answers and multiply that number by 2.
Example:
- If you answered 55 questions correctly:
- 55 x 2 = 110 marks
This calculation helps you estimate your result before the official announcement.