NTA Closes Answer Key Objection Window Today for CSIR-UGC NET and ICAR AIEEA PG 2026: Everything Candidates Need to Know

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is officially closing the challenge window today, August 18, 2026, for candidates to submit objections against the provisional answer keys for two major postgraduate examinations: the Joint CSIR-UGC NET June 2026 and the ICAR AIEEA PG 2026. The challenge portal will remain accessible online until 11:00 PM IST.

Both high-stakes exams serve as gateways for advanced education and research careers across India. Candidates who appeared for either exam can log in to their respective portals to download their recorded response sheets and calculate their estimated scores.

Examination Overview & Key Highlights

The NTA conducted both entrance exams in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode earlier this season:

• CSIR-UGC NET June 2026: Held on July 17 and 18, 2026, across 352 exam centers in 224 cities nationwide. Over 1.87 lakh candidates registered for the test, which determines eligibility for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), Assistant Professorships, and PhD admissions in science streams.

• ICAR AIEEA PG 2026: Conducted on July 4, 2026. The test evaluates students seeking master’s degree programs in agriculture and allied sciences across Indian agricultural universities. The question paper contained 120 multiple-choice questions totaling 480 marks.

Objection Fee, Marking Schemes, and Document Requirements

To raise a challenge against any answer provided in the provisional key, candidates must follow a standardized review process set by the NTA:

• Processing Fee: Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 per question challenged. Payments can be completed online via UPI, Net Banking, Debit, or Credit Card.

• Document Uploads: Objections must be supported by valid academic proof or reference material (such as textbook pages or research papers) uploaded as a single PDF document (up to 500 KB).

• Marking Rules for Estimation:

  • ICAR AIEEA PG: Every correct answer carries +4 marks, while an incorrect response results in a -1 mark penalty.

  • CSIR-NET: Marking vary by subject (Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences) and section (Part A, B, and C).

Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Objections

1. Visit the official exam portal (csirnet.nta.nic.in for CSIR NET or exams.nta.nic.in/icar for ICAR).

2. Click on the “Provisional Answer Key Challenge / View Response Sheet” link.

3. Log in using your Application Number and Date of Birth or Password.

4. Open the recorded response sheet to compare your marked answers against the official master key.

5. Select the Question ID you wish to challenge and choose the option you believe is correct.

6. Upload the required supporting evidence as a single PDF file and click “Save Claim”.

7. Complete the ₹200 fee payment per question before 11:00 PM IST.

What Happens Next?

Following the closure of the objection window tonight, a specialized panel of subject matter experts will evaluate all challenges.

If an objection is verified as correct, the answer key will be revised globally for all affected test-takers. The NTA will then finalize the evaluation and publish the Final Answer Key alongside the official scorecard and rank lists. No further individual correspondence or appeals regarding challenges will be entertained after the final keys are published.