The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the provisional answer keys and question papers with recorded responses for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 examination. Candidates who are not satisfied with any answer in the provisional answer key can submit challenges through the official CSIR-UGC NET website within the prescribed deadline.

Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 Exam Details

NTA conducted the Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 examination on July 17 and 18, 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. The examination was held across 224 cities and 352 examination centres, with 1,87,739 candidates registered for the examination.The provisional answer key, along with the question papers and candidates' recorded responses, has now been made available on the official website.

CSIR-UGC NET Answer Key Challenge Dates

Candidates can challenge the provisional answer key from August 16 to August 18, 2026, up to 11:00 PM.

Rs. 200 Fee Charged Per Question Challenged

Candidates who wish to challenge an answer key must pay a non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 200 for each question challenged. NTA has clearly stated that challenges will not be accepted unless the prescribed processing fee is successfully paid.

The challenge facility will be available only once. Candidates should therefore carefully review their selected questions and options before making the final payment.

How to Challenge Joint CSIR-UGC NET Answer Key 2026

Candidates can follow these steps to submit their objections:

1. Visit the official website csirnet.nta.nic.in.
2. Click on “Challenge(s) regarding Answer Key.”
3. Log in using the Application Number and Password and complete the captcha.
4. Click on “View Question Paper” to check the recorded responses.
5. Select “Click to view / Challenge Answer Key.”
6. Locate the question using its Question ID.
7. Select the appropriate Option ID(s) that the candidate wants to challenge.
8. Upload supporting documents, if required, in a single PDF file of maximum 500 KB.
9. Click on “Submit and Review Claims.”
10. Review all selected Question IDs and Option IDs.
11. Use “Modify Claim” if any correction is required.
12. Click on “Save Claim and Pay Fee.”
13. Proceed to the payment gateway and click “Pay Now.”
14. Pay Rs. 200 per challenged question through the available payment modes.
15. After successful payment, the claim will be saved.

No Modification After Successful Payment

NTA has cautioned candidates that the answer key challenge is a one-time facility. Once the challenge is finally submitted and payment is successfully completed, candidates will not be permitted to modify their claims or submit another challenge.

Candidates are therefore advised to carefully verify their Question IDs, Option IDs and supporting documents before making the final payment.

How NTA Will Process the Challenges

The challenges submitted by candidates will be examined by a panel of subject experts. If a challenge is found to be correct, NTA will revise the provisional answer key accordingly.

The revised answer key will then be applied uniformly to the responses of all candidates concerned. The Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 result will be prepared and declared on the basis of the revised Final Answer Key.NTA stated that individual candidates will not be informed separately about whether their particular challenge has been accepted or rejected. The Final Answer Key decided after the expert review will be treated as final.

Candidates Advised to Submit Challenges Before Deadline

Candidates are advised not to wait until the final hours to submit their objections. Since the challenge window closes on August 18, 2026, at 11:00 PM, candidates should complete the entire process, including fee payment, before the deadline.For the latest updates, candidates should regularly visit the official Joint CSIR-UGC NET website.Click here

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