CTET Answer Key 2026: OMR Images, ₹1,000 Challenge, Final Key

The answer key for the 22nd edition of CTET is not out: the exam is on 12 and 13 December 2026, and CBSE releases the key afterwards by a public notice, together with the scanned image of each candidate's OMR answer sheet. For the previous edition (exam on 7 and 8 February 2026), the key and OMR images were open from 12 to 15 March 2026.

How does the CTET answer key challenge work?

The rules below are from para 22 of the Information Bulletin for this edition and the February 2026 key challenge notice.

• Where: the key and your OMR image are displayed on ctet.nic.in, and the challenge link is on the same site.
• How long: the bulletin says the keys are likely to be displayed for two to three days. In February 2026 the window ran from 12 to 15 March 2026, up to 11:59 PM.
• Fee: ₹1,000 per question, as non-refundable processing charges, paid through credit or debit card.
• Refund: if subject experts accept a challenge, CBSE notifies a policy decision and refunds the fee to the card used, after the result. CBSE therefore advises paying from your own card.
• What is not accepted: challenges without payment, after the stipulated time, or sent by email, letter or representation.
• Outcome: CBSE does not inform candidates individually, and its decision on challenges is final.

How to calculate your CTET score from the key

Every CTET question is a multiple choice question with four options, carrying one mark, and there is no negative marking. Each paper has 150 questions for 150 marks, so your score is simply the number of answers on your OMR sheet that match the key.

• Paper I (classes I to V): Child Development and Pedagogy, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Language I and Language II, 30 questions each.
• Paper II (classes VI to VIII): Child Development and Pedagogy (30), Mathematics and Science or Social Studies/Social Science (60), Language I (30) and Language II (30).

Under NCTE Notification No. 76-4/2010/NCTE/Acad dated 11 February 2011, a score of 60% or more is a TET pass. School managements may consider concessions for SC, ST, OBC and differently abled candidates under their own reservation policy.

What happens after the challenge window?

Subject experts examine all challenges and prepare the final answer keys, and the result is declared on the final keys. CBSE entertains no grievance about the answer key after the result. Final keys of past editions are posted on the Previous Year Final Answer Key page of ctet.nic.in, paper-wise and date-wise; for February 2026 they include keys dated 1 March 2026, the date CBSE set for a re-exam at two centres in Vaishali, Bihar.

After the result, you can ask for a photocopy of your OMR sheet with the calculation sheet for ₹500 per OMR, by demand draft in favour of Secretary, CBSE, payable at Delhi. For February 2026 the deadline was 1 May 2026, with applications sent by speed post or by hand to the CTET Unit in Dwarka, New Delhi. Act early: CTET records, including OMR sheets, are kept only up to two months from the date of the result, and there is no re-evaluation or re-checking.

CTET answer key in past cycles