The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is preparing to release the CTET 2026 provisional answer key for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test, which was held on 7 and 8 February 2026 in two shifts across numerous exam locations nationwide. The provisional key will be the first set of official solutions for candidates to review their responses against expected answers.
How to Download CTET 2026 Answer Key and Response Sheet?
Once the answer key is officially released, candidates can follow these steps to access it:
- Visit the CTET official portal at ctet.nic.in.
- Look for the CTET 2026 answer key link on the homepage.
- Enter application number and date of birth to log in.
- Select and download the provisional answer key PDF and OMR response sheet.
Downloading these documents early helps candidates calculate estimated marks ahead of the final result announcement
Objection Window and Fee
After the provisional answer key is published, CBSE will activate a limited objection window for candidates who believe there are discrepancies in the provided answers. The board typically allows challenge submissions with proper justification. According to reports:
- An objection fee of Rs 1000 per question may be charged.
- Only paid challenges submitted within the specified period are considered valid.
- If an objection is accepted, the fee may be refunded after review.
Exam Pattern and Qualifying Criteria
The CTET exam consists of Paper 1 for aspirants who intend to teach Classes 1 to 5 and Paper 2 for candidates targeting Classes 6 to 8. Each paper comprises multiple sections covering child development, pedagogy, language, mathematics and environmental studies. Each correct answer generally carries one mark, with no negative marking applied for incorrect responses.
What Happens Next?
After the objection period ends and the board reviews all challenges, CBSE will publish the final answer key. Based on this final key, the CTET 2026 result will be prepared, indicating candidates’ qualifying status and eligibility certificate validity. Qualified candidates can use their CTET certificate for recruitment to teaching positions in central government schools and many state and private schools that recognise CTET qualification.