The CTET answer key 2026 is published by CBSE on ctet.nic.in after each edition, along with the scanned image of your OMR answer sheet. The September 2026 bulletin says the keys are likely to be displayed for two to three days, so candidates can compare their answers and challenge any key they think is wrong. The fee is Rs 1,000 per question challenged.
For the 21st edition, held on 7 and 8 February 2026, CBSE displayed the OMR images and keys from 12 to 15 March 2026 and declared the result on 30 March 2026. For the 22nd edition, due on 12 and 13 December 2026, the key window will be announced in a fresh public notice; no date has been given yet.
Provisional key, final key and result
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Provisional answer key | Keys and OMR images shown on ctet.nic.in for a short window |
| Challenge | Candidates pay Rs 1,000 per question to object, online only |
| Expert review | Subject experts examine all paid challenges |
| Final answer key | Prepared after the review; the result is based on it |
| Result and certificate | Mark sheets for all and certificates for those who qualify, issued in DigiLocker |
How to check the CTET answer key 2026
- Open ctet.nic.in and find the public notice on display of OMR sheets and answer keys.
- Click the candidate link and log in with your application number and the other details the page asks for.
- Download your scanned OMR sheet and the answer key for your paper and test booklet code.
- Match each answer you marked with the key and note any question you think is wrong.
Always check the test booklet code. Keys are made for each booklet set, so comparing with the wrong set will give a wrong score.
How to calculate your score
Each paper has 150 questions of one mark each, with no negative marking. Your score is simply the number of answers that match the key. A score of 90 or more, which is 60 percent, means you pass. School managements may give concessions to SC, ST, OBC and differently abled candidates in recruitment, as per their policy, but the CTET pass mark in the bulletin is 60 percent.
A worked example
Suppose a Paper I candidate finds 96 answers matching the key, 42 not matching and 12 left blank. Since there is no negative marking, the score is 96 out of 150. That is above 90, so it is a pass. If one challenged question is later corrected in the candidate's favour, the score rises by one mark in the final result.
If you took both papers, work out each paper separately. Passing one paper makes you eligible only for that level of teaching.
How to challenge an answer
- Log in through the challenge link during the window.
- Select the question number and the answer you believe is correct.
- Pay Rs 1,000 for each question through a credit or debit card. CBSE advises paying from your own card, since any refund goes back to the same card.
- Save the payment receipt and a screenshot of your submitted challenge.
Only paid challenges made within the window are considered. Objections by email, letter or any other route are not accepted, and CBSE does not reply to candidates one by one. If experts accept a challenge, the fee is refunded after the result.
OMR sheet and records
The scanned OMR image lets you confirm that your answers were read correctly. After the result, you can ask for a photocopy of your OMR sheet with the calculation sheet by paying Rs 500 per OMR through a demand draft in favour of the Secretary, CBSE, payable at Delhi. The bulletin says CTET records, including OMR sheets, are kept only up to two months from the result. There is no re-checking or re-evaluation of results.
Common problems and fixes
- OMR image looks blank or wrong: check that you logged in with your own application number and the right paper. If it still looks wrong, raise it within the window through the official link.
- Payment failed but money was debited: keep the bank message and transaction ID, and check the portal again before the window closes.
- Window closed before you could challenge: late challenges are not accepted. Your result will follow the final key.
- Coaching key differs from the official key: only CBSE's keys count. Unofficial keys are guesses.
Result and certificate
The result is prepared from the final answer key. CBSE issues mark sheets to all candidates and eligibility certificates to those who qualify, in digital form in DigiLocker. The bulletin says DigiLocker accounts are created for candidates who appeared, and the login details are sent to the mobile number registered with CBSE. The documents carry a QR code that can be scanned to check them.
Practising with previous papers
Many candidates look for a previous year question paper with answer key. Keep the official key and your OMR image when CBSE displays them, because they are online only for a few days. When practising with papers from other sources, treat their answers with care unless they match the official key.
Related pages
Read about pass marks and lifetime certificate validity on the CTET overview page . If you are sitting the December exam, the CTET hall ticket guide covers city slip and exam-day rules, and the CTET topic-wise syllabus helps you revise. For keys of other exams, visit our answer key hub , and for results see the results section .
HindiScope is not an official site; confirm all key dates and fees on ctet.nic.in.