The UGC NET December 2025 provisional answer key has been officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on the official portal ugcnet.nta.nic.in. Aspirants who appeared in the exam can now access their answer keys, recorded responses and question papers and estimate expected scores ahead of the final results. The release allows candidates to cross-verify their marked responses against the official provisional key before the final results are prepared and declared.
UGC NET 2025 Answer Key & Objection Window
The provisional answer keys for UGC NET 2025 were uploaded on 14 January 2026 on the official portal. This initial key enables examinees to check their responses and identify any potential discrepancies. The objection window to challenge answers is open until 17 January 2026 (11:50 pm IST). Candidates wishing to raise objections must submit them online within this period; late challenges will not be accepted. For each question challenged, candidates are required to pay a non-refundable processing fee of INR 200, payable through debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI. Objections submitted without the fee will not be considered.
Steps to Download the UGC NET Answer Key
Candidates can follow these steps to download and review the provisional answer key and responses:
- Visit the official UGC NET portal: ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
- Click the link for UGC NET December 2025 Answer Key / Question Paper / Response Sheet.
- Log in using application number and date of birth/password.
- View and download the answer key, question paper, and recorded responses.
- Save or print copies for reference and calculation of probable scores.
What Happens After Objections?
Once the objection window closes, all challenges will be reviewed by NTA’s panel of subject experts. If any objections are found valid, corrections will be incorporated into the final answer key. The UGC NET final results will then be prepared based on the revised key, and no separate individual communication will be sent regarding acceptance or rejection of specific objections.
Why Should Candidates Review the Key?
The provisional answer key gives candidates an early estimate of their performance in both Paper-I and Paper-II of the UGC NET exam. Reviewing the key helps in better anticipation of results and planning next steps for eligibility as Assistant Professor or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). Applicants who identify discrepancies are advised to raise challenges within the objection deadline to ensure their concerns are considered before the final key and results are finalised. For the most accurate guidance on the answer key challenge process and deadlines, candidates should rely on the official UGC NET portal ugcnet.nta.nic.in and follow latest NTA notifications.