UGC NET December 2025 Answer Key Out; Objection Submission Window Now Open

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on 14 January 2026 released the provisional answer key for the UGC NET December 2025 session, marking a crucial milestone in the evaluation process of one of India’s most competitive eligibility exams. The answer key was made available on the official portal ugcnet.nta.nic.in, empowering thousands of candidates who appeared for the exam to verify their responses, calculate probable scores, and raise objections if discrepancies are spotted.

Along with the answer key, NTA has activated the objection submission window, allowing aspirants to challenge any discrepancies they may find in the provided answers. Through this process, candidates can access their question papers, recorded responses, and evaluate their expected scores before the final results are declared. The objection facility ensures transparency and fairness in the evaluation system, giving examinees a chance to raise valid concerns within the specified timeline. Candidates are advised to carefully review the answer key and submit objections online, if necessary, before the deadline.

The UGC NET December 2025 examination, conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, spanned several dates — 31 December 2025; 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 January 2026 — across testing centres nationwide for various subjects. Candidates who took the test could now access their question papers, recorded responses, and the answer key to assess how they fared before the final results are announced.

UGC NET December 2025 Answer Key Objection Submission Window — Timeline and Fee

The answer key release also triggered the objection submission period, which is operational from 14 January to 17 January 2026 (up to 11:50 PM). Aspirants who believe that any of the answers in the provisional key are incorrect have a limited window to file challenges. Importantly, each objection must be accompanied by a processing fee of ₹200 per question, payable online through debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI modes. Challenges submitted without payment will not be entertained, and the deadline is strictly enforced.

This fee is non-refundable, though it may be refunded if the objection raised is validated by the expert review panel. Candidates should therefore be careful to provide clear justification and, where possible, relevant references or supporting documentation to strengthen their challenges.

How to Raise an UGC NET Answer Key Objection?

The process to raise a challenge is fully digitised and designed to be straightforward:

Visit the official portal: Go to ugcnet.nta.nic.in.
Log in: Use your Application Number and Password or Date of Birth.
View Answer Key: Click on the “View/Challenge Answer Key” link to load the provisional key alongside your responses.
Select Question(s) to Challenge: Choose the question(s) where you find a discrepancy.
Upload Supporting Documents: Provide justification and evidence (if any) in a single PDF file.
Pay the Fee: Submit the processing fee for each challenged question online.
Submit and Confirm: Save your submissions and note the confirmation for future reference.

It’s crucial to follow these steps carefully and ensure that all challenges are submitted only through the official objection portal before the cut-off time, as late submissions will not be processed.

UGC NET Answer Key: Expert Review and Final Answer Key Preparation

Once the window for objections closes on 17 January 2026, NTA panels comprising subject experts will review all challenges. Only those with valid justifications and evidence will be accepted. Based on this review, the provisional answer key may be revised, and the corrections will be applied uniformly to all candidates’ response sets where applicable.

It’s important to note that individual candidates will not receive separate communication regarding whether their objection has been accepted or rejected. Updates and revised answer key announcements will be published on the official portal, and aspirants are encouraged to check regularly for notifications.

Looking Ahead: UGC NET 2025 Results and Final Key

After reviewing all valid objections and making necessary adjustments, the NTA will prepare the final answer key, which will serve as the basis for scoring and result determination. Though the exact date for the result announcement has not been confirmed, it is expected in February 2026, following completion of the objection review process.

For candidates awaiting their UGC NET results — whether targeting eligibility for Assistant Professor roles or the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) — this phase is crucial, and properly leveraging the objection window could impact their final scores.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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