CTET 2026 Provisional Answer Key Release: What Candidates Need to Know

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is preparing to release the provisional answer key for the CTET 2026 exam, which took place on February 7 and 8. This key is vital for candidates to evaluate their performance before the final results are announced. Candidates can download the answer key from the official website by following specific steps. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to challenge any answers they believe are incorrect. It is crucial for candidates to rely solely on the official portal for this information to ensure accuracy and transparency.

By Ambika Singh Feb 18, 2026, 18:55 IST

CTET 2026 Answer Key Announcement

New Delhi: The wait for millions of candidates who participated in the 21st edition of the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) is nearing its end. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is in the final stages of preparing to release the 'answer key' for the February session. The examination took place successfully on February 7 and 8, 2026, across various centers in multiple shifts. This test was conducted in two papers: Paper-I for the primary level (Classes I-V) and Paper-II for the upper primary level (Classes VI-VIII).

Importance of the Provisional Answer Key

The provisional answer key released by the board is a crucial document for candidates. It allows them to accurately assess their performance before the final results are declared. If any candidate has doubts regarding a specific answer provided by the board, they will have the option to file objections with supporting evidence within a stipulated timeframe. This process is adopted by CBSE every year to ensure transparency.

How to Download Your Answer Key

Once the link is activated, candidates can follow these steps to download their answer key from the official websites ctet.nic.in or cbse.nic.in:

1. Visit the official website ctet.nic.in.
2. Navigate to the 'Candidate Activity' section on the homepage.
3. Click on the link titled 'View/Challenge Answer Key – CTET Feb 2026'.
4. Enter your roll number and date of birth to log in.
5. Your answer key will be displayed on the screen; download and save it for future reference.

Stay Updated on the Official Website

CBSE has clarified that the answer key will only be available online. Candidates are advised not to rely on any unofficial sources and to obtain their documents solely through the official portal. The final results will be announced only after reviewing the challenges received regarding the provisional key.