Every year, lakhs of teaching aspirants appear for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) with the hope of qualifying for government and private school teaching jobs. Once the exam is over, the very next question in every candidate’s mind is about the answer key.
The CTET 2026 February session examination was conducted successfully on 7 and 8 February 2026 in two shifts each day for Paper I and Paper II. The exam was held in offline mode using pen and paper across multiple centres in India. Now that the examination process has concluded, candidates are waiting for the release of the CTET 2026 provisional answer key.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which conducts CTET, is expected to upload the provisional answer key on the official website – ctet.nic.in. Along with the answer key, scanned copies of OMR answer sheets and an online objection window will also be activated.
In this article, you will find complete information about the CTET Answer Key 2026, including expected release date, how to download it, how to check your responses, the objection process, and what happens after objections are submitted.
What is the CTET Answer Key and Why It Matters
The answer key is a document that contains the correct answers to all the questions asked in the exam. By matching your responses with the official answer key, you can:
-
Estimate your probable score
-
Understand where you performed well
-
Identify questions where you may have made mistakes
-
Decide whether to raise objections
Although the provisional answer key does not decide your final result, it gives a clear idea of your performance and helps you plan your next steps.
CTET 2026 Answer Key – Expected Release Timeline
CBSE usually releases the provisional answer key within 10 to 15 days after the exam. Based on previous year trends, the CTET 2026 answer key for the February session is likely to be released in the third or fourth week of February 2026.
Once the provisional answer key is uploaded, candidates will get a short window of a few days to submit objections. After reviewing all challenges, CBSE will release the final answer key, followed by the CTET 2026 result.
Where Will CTET Answer Key 2026 Be Available
The answer key will be available only on the official CTET website:
👉 ctet.nic.in
Candidates should avoid relying on unofficial websites or social media links, as incorrect keys can cause confusion.
How to Download CTET Answer Key 2026
When the link becomes active, you can download the CTET answer key by following these simple steps:
-
Visit the official website ctet.nic.in
-
Click on the link that says “CTET 2026 Answer Key”
-
Enter your Roll Number and Date of Birth
-
Submit the details
-
The answer key PDF will appear on the screen
-
Download and save it for reference
It is recommended to keep a copy of the answer key and your response sheet until the final result is declared.
CTET OMR Sheet 2026 – What You Should Know
Along with the provisional answer key, CBSE will also release scanned images of candidates’ OMR answer sheets.
This allows you to:
-
View your marked responses
-
Compare them with the official answers
-
Check if any answer has been wrongly recorded
You can download your OMR sheet using the same login credentials used for the answer key.
How to Calculate Your Probable Score
CTET follows a simple marking scheme:
-
+1 mark for each correct answer
-
No negative marking
Steps to calculate score:
-
Count the number of correct answers using the answer key
-
Multiply the number of correct answers by 1
-
The total will be your estimated score
This score is only an estimate. Your final marks will be based on the final answer key.
CTET Answer Key Objection Process 2026
CBSE gives candidates a chance to challenge any answer they believe is incorrect.
Here is how the objection process works:
-
Log in to the CTET portal
-
Click on the objection link
-
Select the question you want to challenge
-
Upload supporting documents or explanation
-
Pay the objection fee
-
Submit the challenge
Objection Fee
Candidates must pay ₹1000 per question challenged.
This fee is usually refundable if the objection is found valid.
Because of the fee, it is advisable to raise objections only when you are confident and have strong proof.
What Happens After Objections Are Submitted
Once the objection window closes:
-
Subject experts will review all challenges
-
If an answer is found incorrect, it will be corrected
-
A final answer key will be prepared
-
The CTET 2026 result will be declared based on the final answer key
No further challenges are accepted after the final answer key is released.
CTET 2026 Result – What to Expect
The CTET 2026 result is expected to be announced in March 2026. Candidates will be able to check their result using roll number and date of birth.
The result will show:
-
Marks obtained
-
Qualifying status
-
Paper-wise performance
Qualified candidates will receive CTET eligibility certificates, which can be used to apply for teaching jobs.
Important Points for Candidates
-
Keep your login details safe
-
Download and save answer key and OMR sheet
-
Read official notices carefully
-
Do not rely on rumours or fake links
-
Raise objections only with proper evidence
Why Checking Answer Key is Important Even If You Feel Confident
Many candidates skip checking the answer key thinking it won’t change anything. However, reviewing the answer key helps you:
-
Learn from mistakes
-
Understand exam pattern better
-
Prepare strategically for future exams
-
Catch possible evaluation errors
It is a small step that can make a big difference.
Final Words
The CTET 2026 answer key is a crucial stage between the exam and the final result. It gives transparency to the evaluation process and allows candidates to participate by raising valid objections.
If you appeared for the February 2026 CTET exam, keep visiting ctet.nic.in regularly for updates. As soon as the provisional answer key is released, download it, match your answers, and take timely action if needed.
Staying informed and alert during this phase ensures you do not miss any important opportunity.