National Testing Agency clarifies UGC-NET 2026 exam procedures

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued clarifications regarding the UGC-NET 2026 answer key challenge process following concerns from candidates. The agency stated that if a candidate's challenge is accepted by a subject expert, the revised answer key will apply to all examinees. Additionally, the Rs 200 fee for challenging an answer key will be refunded if the challenge is deemed valid. The NTA noted that the fee is intended to discourage frivolous challenges rather than to generate profit.

In response to errors identified by an internal committee, the NTA will re-conduct the UGC-NET papers for English, Commerce, and Sociology. These re-tests will be held at no additional cost to students, and the number of qualifying candidates and subject-wise allocations will not be reduced. This decision follows criticism and protests from student groups, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and the All India Students’ Association (AISA).