CBSE Releases CTET 2026 Provisional Answer Key and Response Sheet
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the provisional answer key for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) conducted in February 2026. Candidates who appeared for the examination can now access and download the answer key along with their respective OMR response sheets from the official examination portal.
Examination Overview
The CTET February 2026 examination was conducted on the 7th and 8th of February across two shifts. The test comprised both Paper 1 and Paper 2, catering to candidates aspiring to teach at the primary and elementary levels, respectively. A substantial number of candidates from across the country participated in the examination, and they can now evaluate their performance by cross-checking their responses against the officially released answer key.
OMR Response Sheets Made Available
In addition to the provisional answer key, the board has also made the OMR response sheets accessible to all candidates. This allows test-takers to review the exact options they selected for each question during the examination. By comparing the response sheet with the answer key, candidates can estimate their probable scores well before the final results are announced.
Raising Objections Against the Answer Key
Candidates who find discrepancies or disagree with any of the answers listed in the provisional key have the option to submit formal objections. The board has established an online mechanism for this purpose, and objections must be filed within the designated timeframe. A processing fee of 1000 rupees per question applies to each objection raised.
According to the board’s guidelines, only objections accompanied by credible and verifiable supporting evidence will be considered for review. Once all submissions have been examined by subject matter experts, the CBSE will implement necessary corrections and subsequently publish the final answer key. The results of the CTET examination will be prepared exclusively on the basis of this final version.
CTET 2026 Marking Scheme
The marking pattern for CTET remains straightforward. Each correct answer earns the candidate one mark, and there is no provision for negative marking in the examination. This means that incorrect responses do not result in any deduction of marks, allowing candidates to attempt all questions without the risk of losing points.
Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 consist of 150 questions each. To qualify in the examination, candidates belonging to the general category must secure a minimum of 60 percent marks. For candidates from reserved categories, the qualifying threshold is set at 55 percent.
Steps to Download the Answer Key
Candidates can follow the simple procedure outlined below to access their answer key and response sheet:
- Visit the official CTET website at ctet.nic.in.
- Locate and click on the link labelled ‘View/Challenge Answer Key – CTET 2026’ on the homepage.
- Enter your application number and date of birth, then proceed to log in.
- Once logged in, the answer key and response sheet will be displayed on the screen.
- Download the documents and compare your responses to calculate your expected score.
Candidates are advised to note that the provisional answer key is released solely for reference purposes. The final result will be determined based on the final answer key, which will be issued after all valid objections have been reviewed and addressed by the board. It is therefore recommended that candidates await the official final answer key for an accurate assessment of their performance. This step-by-step process ensures transparency and gives every candidate a fair opportunity to verify their answers before the final outcome is declared.
