CBSE conducted the CTET 2026 exam on 7 February and 8 February 2026 in many centres. After writing the exam, students are now waiting for the official answer key and response sheet. The answer key helps students match answers and get a rough idea of marks. As per the given details, the CTET Answer Key 2026 for Paper 1 and Paper 2 is expected by 22 February 2026 on the official site ctet.nic.in. Once CBSE uploads it, students can download it online and check their paper set-wise answers.
CTET Answer Key 2026
The CTET answer key is a list of correct options for the questions asked in the exam. Students use it to:
- compare their attempted answers
- understand how the paper was
- estimate marks before the result
- decide whether any answer needs challenge
CBSE first uploads a provisional (first) key. After checking objections, CBSE publishes the final key.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam | CTET 2026 |
| Board | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Exam Dates | 7 & 8 February 2026 |
| Papers | Paper 1 and Paper 2 |
| Answer Key Mode | Online |
| Expected Answer Key Date | By 22 February 2026 (Expected) |
| Challenge Dates | Not announced yet |
| Challenge Fee | ₹1000 per question |
| Exam Type | Offline (OMR) |
| Marking Rule | +1 for each correct answer |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Official Website | ctet.nic.in |
CTET Answer Key 2026: Paper 1 & Paper 2 Download Link
CBSE will open the answer key link on ctet.nic.in. The key is used to show correct answers for the CTET February exam. After the link is active, candidates can download the provisional answer key and check their responses.
How to Download CTET Answer Key 2026
Students who want to download from the official website can follow these steps:
- Go to ctet.nic.in
- Find the section for CTET Answer Key 2026 (February exam)
- Open it and a login page will come
- Enter Roll Number and Date of Birth
- Choose your exam date, paper, and question paper set
- The answer key will open on the screen
- Download it and start matching your answers
CTET Marking Rule 2026
Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are of 150 marks. Each question has 1 mark. There is no minus marking, so wrong answers do not reduce marks.
- Right answer: +1
- Wrong answer: 0
- Total marks: 150
How to Calculate Your CTET Score Using the Key
To get an expected score:
- Count how many answers match the answer key
- Since 1 correct = 1 mark, your marks will be equal to correct answers
Formula: Expected Marks = Correct Answers × 1
This score is only an estimate based on the provisional key.
CTET Answer Key 2026 Objection (Challenge) Details
If a student feels any answer in the provisional key is wrong, CBSE allows challenge. But the student must give proof and also pay a fee.
Objection rules given:
- Fee: ₹1000 per question
- Proof: must be valid (supporting reference)
- Payment: online mode
If CBSE accepts the challenge, the answer is corrected and the final key is released.
Steps to Raise Objection on CTET Answer Key 2026
Students can challenge through the official portal when the link becomes active:
- Visit ctet.nic.in
- Open the option like CTET 2026 Answer Key Challenge
- Login using Application Number and DOB/Password (and security pin if asked)
- Select the question you want to challenge
- Pick the answer you think is correct
- Upload/provide proof/reference
- Pay the fee per question (debit/credit/net banking/UPI)
- Check details and submit
What Will Happen After This
After CBSE checks all objections, CBSE will release the final answer key. Then the CTET result will be prepared on the basis of the final key. After result, eligibility certificates will be issued. Students should use the answer key to check answers and calculate marks, but they should not treat it as final until CBSE releases the final key. If any answer looks wrong, they should challenge it only with proper proof and correct details, because the fee is charged per question. Once the final key comes, the result will be prepared on that basis.