The provisional CTET Answer Key 2026 for the February session has been officially released on March 12, 2026 by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Candidates who appeared for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) can now check the answer key online through the official CTET website. The release of the provisional answer key allows candidates to estimate their scores before the final result is declared.
The CTET examination is one of the most important eligibility tests for aspiring teachers in India. Conducted by CBSE, the exam determines whether candidates are qualified to teach in primary (Classes I–V) and upper primary (Classes VI–VIII) levels in central government schools and many state-recognized institutions.
With the release of the provisional answer key, candidates can compare their responses with the officially released answers. If they find any discrepancy, they also have the opportunity to challenge the answer key within a specified time period by paying a nominal fee per question.
This article provides a complete and detailed guide about the CTET Answer Key 2026, including steps to download it, how to calculate your probable score, how to challenge the answer key, important dates, marking scheme, and what happens after the answer key challenge process.
CTET Answer Key 2026
The provisional answer key is released soon after the completion of the examination so that candidates can verify their answers. It is called “provisional” because candidates are allowed to challenge it if they find any errors.
Here is a quick overview of the CTET Answer Key 2026:
| Event | Details / Status |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) February 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Main Exam Dates | February 7 & 8, 2026 |
| Re-exam Date (Bihar) | March 1, 2026 (for specific centers) |
| Provisional Answer Key Status | Released on March 12, 2026 |
| Objection Window | March 12 to March 15, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Objection Fee | ₹1,000 per question (Non-refundable, unless challenge is accepted) |
| Expected Result Date | 2nd week of March 2026 (Tentative) |
| Qualifying Marks (General) | 60% (90 out of 150 marks) |
| Qualifying Marks (Reserved) | 55% (82 out of 150 marks) |
| Certificate Validity | Lifetime |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
The provisional answer key helps candidates analyze their performance and estimate their chances of qualifying the exam.
What is the CTET Exam?
The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is a national-level eligibility examination conducted by CBSE. It is designed to assess the teaching aptitude and subject knowledge of candidates who want to become teachers in government schools.
Candidates who qualify CTET become eligible to apply for teaching jobs in:
- Kendriya Vidyalayas
- Navodaya Vidyalayas
- Central Government Schools
- Schools under Union Territories
- Many state government and private schools
CTET is conducted twice a year, usually in July and December/January or February sessions.
The exam consists of two papers:
- Paper 1: For candidates who want to teach Classes I to V (Primary Level)
- Paper 2: For candidates who want to teach Classes VI to VIII (Upper Primary Level)
Candidates who want to teach classes I to VIII can appear for both papers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Download
Follow these instructions to access your answer key and response sheet:
1.Visit the Official Website: Go to ctet.nic.in
2. Find the Link: On the homepage, locate and click the link titled “CTET Feb-2026 Key Challenge / Scanned Images of OMR”.
3. Enter Login Credentials: You will be redirected to a login page. Enter your:
- Roll Number
- Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY)
- (Note: Some portals may also accept your Application Number and Password).
4. Access Your Dashboard: Once logged in, your dashboard will display options to view the Provisional Answer Key and your scanned OMR Sheet.
5. Download and Save: Click the download buttons for your respective paper (Paper 1 or Paper 2). Save the files as PDFs for future reference.
Candidates should also download their response sheet, which contains the answers they selected during the exam.
How to Calculate Your CTET Score Using the Answer Key
Calculating your expected score is simple because CTET follows a straightforward marking scheme.
The Scoring Formula
The calculation is straightforward because there is no negative marking in CTET.
- Correct Answer: +1 Mark
- Incorrect Answer: 0 Marks
- Unattempted Question: 0 Marks
Your Score = (Total Number of Correct Answers)
Steps to Calculate Marks
- Count the number of correct answers.
- Multiply the number of correct answers by 1.
- The result is your expected score.
Example:
If you answered 110 questions correctly, your score would be:
110 × 1 = 110 marks
CTET Qualifying Marks
To qualify the CTET exam, candidates must score minimum qualifying marks as decided by CBSE.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Percentage Required | Passing Score (Out of 150) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 60% | 90 Marks |
| OBC/SC/ST/PwD | 55% | 82 Marks |
However, some states or institutions may have different relaxation rules.
Candidates who score the minimum marks will receive a CTET eligibility certificate.
How to Challenge the CTET Answer Key 2026
If candidates find any discrepancy in the provisional answer key, they can challenge it online.
Step-by-Step Challenge Process
- Log in to the Portal: Visit the CTET Official Website and click on the link for “CTET Feb-2026 Key Challenge / Scanned Images of OMR”.
- Enter Credentials: Use your Roll Number and Date of Birth to access your account.
- Initiate Challenge: Click on the “Submit Key Challenge” or “Challenge Answer Key” link visible on your dashboard.
- Select Questions: Select the specific question number(s) and paper (Paper 1 or Paper 2) you wish to object to.
- Choose Correct Option: Click the link to “Select for Challenge” and choose the option you believe is actually correct.
- Upload Proof: Provide a clear justification and upload scanned copies of supporting documents (ideally from NCERT or standard reference books) in PDF format.
- Finalise and Pay: Click “Make Payment” to pay the non-refundable processing fee of ₹1,000 per question via credit/debit card or net banking.
- Save Confirmation: Save or print the confirmation page for your records.
Important Rules and Fee Refund
- Fee Refund: The challenge fee is only refunded if your objection is accepted by the subject expert panel. If accepted, the money is returned to the original payment account.
- Finality: The decision of the CBSE experts is final, and no further communication is entertained after the final answer key is released.
- Deadline: Ensure all submissions and payments are completed before March 15, 2026, 11:59 PM.
Important Guidelines for Raising Objection – CTET Answer Key 2026
- Candidates must submit objections only through the official CTET website managed by the Central Board of Secondary Education.
- Challenges should be submitted within the specified objection window.
- Select the correct question ID and answer option while filing the challenge.
- Upload valid academic proof or references supporting your claim.
- Pay the required objection fee for each question challenged.
- Ensure all details entered during submission are accurate.
- Challenges submitted through email or offline mode will not be accepted.
- Keep a copy of the payment receipt for future reference.
- Submit objections before the deadline to avoid rejection.
- Decisions taken by CBSE experts will be considered final.
What Happens After Answer Key Challenges?
After the objection window closes, the CBSE expert committee reviews all challenges submitted by candidates.
The process usually includes:
- Reviewing objections by subject experts
- Verifying supporting documents
- Revising answers if required
- Preparing the final answer key
Once the final answer key is prepared, it will be used for result calculation.
Important Instructions for Candidates – Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) Answer Key 2026
- Candidates should visit the official CTET website regularly to stay updated about the answer key, objection window, and result announcements by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
- Download the provisional answer key and response sheet as soon as they are available to carefully review your recorded answers.
- Compare your responses with the official answer key to estimate your expected marks in the examination.
- If you find any discrepancy in the provisional answer key, you have the option to raise an objection within the specified time period.
- Ensure that objections are submitted only through the official online portal, as challenges sent through email, post, or other offline modes will not be accepted.
- While raising objections, select the correct question ID and answer option to avoid rejection of your challenge request.
- Candidates must provide valid supporting documents or academic references while submitting objections to justify their claim.
- Pay the required challenge fee for each question as prescribed by CBSE. The fee is generally refunded if the objection is found to be correct.
- Submit all objections before the last date, as the system will not allow submissions after the deadline.
- After submitting an objection, keep a copy of the confirmation page and payment receipt for future reference.
- Do not rely entirely on unofficial answer keys released by coaching institutes; always verify using the official answer key released by CBSE.
- Candidates should carefully calculate their expected score using the official marking scheme of the CTET exam.
- Remember that the provisional answer key may change after the review process conducted by subject experts.
- The final answer key released by CBSE will be considered final and binding, and no further challenges will be accepted.
- Keep your login credentials such as application number and password safe until the result and scorecard are released.
- Candidates should remain patient and wait for the official result announcement, which will be prepared based on the final answer key.
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Priyadarshani Palei is a Content Executive at OnlyAspirants.in, responsible for researching and publishing the latest government and private job updates. With over 2 years of experience in job research and recruitment news writing, he/she ensures that all information shared on the platform is accurate, verified, and easy to understand.
He/She completed Graduation and has a strong interest in competitive exams, career opportunities, and employment trends in India. His/Her focus is to help students and job seekers stay updated with timely notifications, eligibility details, important dates, and application procedures.
Through consistent research and dedication, he/she contributes to making OnlyAspirants.in a trusted platform for aspirants looking for reliable job updates and career guidance.