CSIR-NET Answer Key 2026 Out: Download Response Sheet, Check Rs 200 Objection Fee and Key Deadlines
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the provisional answer key and individual candidate response sheets for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 examination. Candidates who appeared for the test can now log in to the official portal at csirnet.nta.nic.in to check their recorded responses against the official provisional key.
Along with releasing the response sheets, the testing agency opened the online objection portal, allowing candidates to challenge any official answers they believe are incorrect.
Challenge Fee Structure and Submission Deadline
Candidates who find discrepancies or errors in the provisional answer key can submit a challenge online.
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Objection Window Deadline: The online window to submit challenges was opened on August 16 and closed on August 18, 2026, at 11:00 PM.
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Processing Fee: Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable fee of ₹200 per question challenged.
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Payment Method: The processing fee must be paid online using a Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
The NTA clarified that objections submitted without successful fee payment will not be considered. Offline requests sent through letters, emails, or posts are rejected outright.
Key Exam Information
The Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination was conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across 352 exam centres located in 224 cities across India.
| Detail | Information |
| Exam Dates | July 17 and July 18, 2026 |
| Total Registered Candidates | 1,87,739 candidates |
| Official Portal | csirnet.nta.nic.in |
| Challenge Processing Fee | ₹200 per challenged question (Non-refundable) |
| Objection Window | August 16 to August 18, 2026 (up to 11:00 PM) |
Step-by-Step: How Candidates Download Response Sheets and File Objections
Candidates can follow these official steps to check their response sheets and raise objections:
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Visit Official Website: Go to the NTA portal at
csirnet.nta.nic.in. -
Account Login: Click on the link for “CSIR UGC NET June 2026 Answer Key Challenge” and enter your Application Number, Date of Birth or Password, and Security Pin.
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View Response Sheet: Select “View Question Paper” to view recorded responses alongside question IDs.
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Select Objections: Click on “Click to View / Challenge Answer Key” to view the provisional correct options, then select the Option IDs to challenge.
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Upload Supporting Documents: Upload evidence or academic proofs as a single clear PDF file (up to 500 KB) to support the claim.
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Pay Processing Fee: Select “Save Claims and Pay Fee” and complete the transaction of ₹200 per question via UPI, Net Banking, or Card.
Evaluation Process and Final Results
Following the closure of the challenge window, a panel of subject experts appointed by the NTA evaluates all submitted objections against the submitted proofs.
If an objection is verified as correct by the expert panel, the answer key will be revised. This correction applies uniformly to all candidates who attempted that question during the exam.
The final CSIR-NET 2026 results and percentile scores will be prepared and declared based on this revised final key. Candidates will not receive individual notifications regarding whether their specific challenge was accepted or rejected.
For technical support or queries, candidates can reach out to the NTA helpline numbers at 011-40759000 or 011-69227700.
