The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to release the CTET 2026 provisional answer key for the February session shortly on the official portal ctet.nic.in. Candidates who appeared for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 will be able to download the Paper 1 and Paper 2 answer key along with their OMR response sheets once the link becomes active. The CTET February session examination was conducted on 07 February 2026 and 08 February 2026 in multiple shifts across the country. The answer key will help candidates check the correct responses and estimate their probable scores before the declaration of results.
CTET 2026 Answer Key Release Date and Result Timeline
According to recent updates, the CTET provisional answer key is expected to be released around 11 March 2026 on the official website. After the provisional key is issued, candidates will be given a limited window to challenge any answer they believe is incorrect. Once the objection process is completed, CBSE will review the challenges submitted by candidates and release the final answer key. The CTET Result 2026 is expected to be announced in the last week of March or April 2026 after final evaluation.
How to Download CTET Answer Key 2026?
Candidates will be able to download the CTET answer key and response sheet by following the steps below.
- Visit the official website ctet.nic.in.
- Click on the link for “CTET Feb 2026 Answer Key and Response Sheet.”
- Enter the application number and date of birth.
- View the answer key and OMR response sheet displayed on the screen.
- Download the PDF and keep a copy for reference.
The answer key will be released set-wise and subject-wise for both Paper 1 and Paper 2.
CTET 2026 Objection Process and Fee
After the provisional answer key is released, candidates will have the option to challenge any answer they believe is incorrect. Important points regarding the challenge process include:
- Objection fee: INR 1,000 per question
- Candidates must submit valid evidence or explanation supporting their claim
- The challenge window is expected to remain open for two to three days after the answer key release
If a challenge is found valid, the board will revise the answer in the final key.
CTET 2026 Qualifying Marks and Cut-Off
Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks prescribed by CBSE to obtain the CTET eligibility certificate. The expected qualifying marks are:
- General category: 60% marks (90 out of 150)
- SC, ST, OBC and PwD: 55% marks (82 out of 150
The CTET certificate enables candidates to apply for teaching posts in government and private schools across India for classes 1 to 5 (Paper 1) and 6 to 8 (Paper 2).