When is NTA releasing NEET response sheet, provisional answer keys?
The NTA is set to release the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer keys and response sheets for the June 21 retest. Candidates can then raise paid objections before experts finalise the key used for the result.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will be releasing the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer keys and response sheets of all the candidates. The official website to check the answer keys when released are nta.ac.in and neet.nta.nic.in.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) was held for the second time on June 21 this year as a retest after the May 3 exam was cancelled after reports of paper leak.
Over 20 lakh candidates sat for the NEET UG 2026 re-examination across 5,440 centres in India and 14 centres abroad. The paper was administered in 13 languages, including Hindi and English.
NEET UG 2026: EXAM PATTERN, MARKING SCHEME
The NEET UG 2026 re-exam question paper comprised of 180 mandatory multiple choice questions, covering physics, chemistry and biology (botany and zoology).
To answer a question, the candidate had to choose one option corresponding to the correct answer or the most appropriate answer.
Marking will be done as per following criteria:
– Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Four marks (+4)
– Any incorrect option marked will be given minus one mark (-1).
– Unanswered: No mark (0)
NEET UG 2026 RELEASE DATES IN THE PAST
The release of NEET UG provisional answer keys has varied significantly over the years. In 2022, the answer key was released on August 31, 45 days after the July 17 exam. The gap narrowed to 28 days in 2023, with the exam held on May 7 and the key released on June 4, while in 2024, candidates waited 24 days between the May 5 exam and the May 29 answer key release.
The trend reversed in 2025, when the provisional key was published on June 3, 30 days after the May 4 exam. In contrast, NEET UG 2026 saw the fastest turnaround on record, with the provisional answer key released on May 6, just three days after the May 3 exam.
Year
NEET UG Exam Date
Provisional Answer Key Release Date
Gap Between Exam and Answer Key
2022
July 17, 2022
August 31, 2022
45 days
2023
May 7, 2023
June 4, 2023
28 days
2024
May 5, 2024
May 29, 2024
24 days
2025
May 4, 2025
June 3, 2025
30 days
2026
May 3, 2026
May 6, 2026
3 days
However, the exam was later cancelled, making the answer key redundant.
WHAT AFTER NEET UG 2026 PROVISIONAL ANSWER KEY RELEASE?
After the release of the NEET UG retest provisional answer keys, candidates will be able to challenge the provisional answer keys for a fee as determined by the Agency.
Challenges submitted by the candidates will next be reviewed by subject experts. The final answer keys will be prepared after considering the grievances against the provisional answer keys.
The final answer key will form the basis for the declaration of NEET UG 2026 results.