The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has successfully conducted the CTET February 2026 examination. The exam took place on February 7 and 8, 2026, across various centers in India. Now, lakhs of candidates are eagerly waiting for the official CTET Answer Key 2026.
Currently, many coaching centers have released unofficial memory-based answer keys. However, the official provisional answer key will be released by CBSE on their official website, ctet.nic.in, very soon.
In this article, you will find the expected release date, a direct guide to download the PDF, how to challenge wrong answers, and the passing marks for Paper 1 and Paper 2.
CTET February 2026 Answer Key: Important Dates
Candidates should keep track of these dates to avoid missing the objection window.
| Event | Date (Official/Tentative) |
| CTET Exam Date | February 7 & 8, 2026 |
| Unofficial Answer Key | Available Now (by coaching institutes) |
| Official Provisional Key Release | February 17 – 23, 2026 (Expected) |
| Objection Window Opens | 2–3 days after release |
| Final Answer Key Release | March 2026 (Before Results) |
| CTET Result 2026 | March 2026 (Tentative) |
Note: CBSE typically releases the answer key 10 to 15 days after the exam.
Read More: SPPU Result 2026 Declared
How to Download CTET Answer Key 2026 (Official PDF)
Once the link is active, follow these simple steps to download your OMR sheet and answer key:
- Find the Link: On the homepage, look for the link that says “View/Challenge Answer Key CTET Feb 2026”.
- Login: Enter your Roll Number and Date of Birth exactly as mentioned on your admit card.
- Download: You will see two links—one for your OMR Sheet (scanned copy) and one for the Answer Key. Download both.
- Match Codes: Ensure you match the answer key Set Code (A, B, C, or D) with your question paper code.
How to Calculate Your CTET Score
Before the final results are out, you can estimate your score using the key. The marking scheme is simple:
- Total Questions: 150
- Total Marks: 150
- Correct Answer: +1 mark
- Incorrect Answer: 0 marks (No negative marking)
- Unattempted: 0 marks
How to Challenge the Answer Key (Objection Process)
If you feel an answer provided by CBSE is incorrect, you can challenge it online. This process ensures transparency.
- Login: Use the “Key Challenge” link on the website.
- Select Question: Choose the question number you want to challenge.
- Select Correct Option: Mark the option you believe is correct and upload valid proof (like an NCERT book screenshot).
- Pay Fee: You must pay ₹1,000 per question.
- Refund Policy: If your challenge is accepted by the subject experts, the fee will be refunded. If rejected, the fee is non-refundable.
CTET Qualifying Marks 2026
To clear the exam, you need to score the minimum qualifying marks set by NCTE guidelines:
- General Category: 60% (90 out of 150 marks)
- OBC/SC/ST/PwD: 55% (82 out of 150 marks)
Note: Qualifying CTET gives you eligibility to apply for teaching jobs in schools like KVS, NVS, and Army Schools, but it does not guarantee a job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will the official CTET Answer Key 2026 be released?
The official key is expected between February 17 and February 23, 2026.
2. Is there negative marking in CTET Feb 2026?
No, there is no negative marking. You can attempt all questions without fear of losing marks.
3. Where can I get the CTET answer key PDF?
You can download it only from the official website ctet.nic.in. Do not trust random Telegram links for the official key.
4. Can I challenge the answer key after the deadline?
No, the link will be deactivated automatically after the deadline (usually 2-3 days).
5. Will I get a refund if my objection is wrong?
No, the ₹1,000 fee is non-refundable if your objection is rejected by the experts.