NEET 2026 re-exam: NTA releases provisional answer keys, opens challenge window till June 28

This year, the National Testing Agency has launched the Answer Key Challenge process at the same time as the publication of the provisional answer keys, while the scanning of OMR answer sheets is still in progress. This has been done deliberately, in the interest of transparency, so that every candidate has an early and open opportunity to review the provisional answer keys for all four sets and to flag any question that, in their view, deserves a fresh look. By enabling expert review of the challenges to commence in parallel with OMR scanning, rather than sequentially after it, the National Testing Agency aims to publish the final answer key and declare the result at the earliest possible date.

Candidates are accordingly being given an opportunity to make an online challenge to the provisional answer keys, as per the details given below:

Examination	Process / Activity	Processing Fee	Start Date	End Date
NEET (UG)- 2026	Answer Key Challenge	Rs. 200/- per question challenged (refundable in full for accepted challenges)	25-Jun-26	28-Jun-26

Key terms candidates should note:-

Please note that candidate is required to submit the challenge only through Online mode during the stipulated time period alongwith the requisite fee. Challenge submitted by any other mode (email/fax/letter etc.) and without fee will not be accepted.

Candidate is required to raise a challenge against a question only under his/her own Question Paper Series Code (the Series Code printed on the cover of the Test Booklet taken home from the examination centre on 21.06.2026). If a challenge is accepted by the subject matter experts, the resulting correction will be applied uniformly to all candidates across all four sets. Candidates therefore do not need to raise the same challenge separately under multiple Series Codes.

The Answer Key finalized after the challenge will be treated as final. No challenge/grievance with regard to Answer Key(s) after closure of Challenge Window / declaration of result will be entertained.

The processing fee of Rs. 200/- per question challenged will be refunded in full for every challenge that is accepted by the expert panel.

The individual scanned OMR response sheets are not part of this stage, as OMR scanning is still in progress. Candidates will be given a separate opportunity to view their individual scanned OMR response sheets once scanning has been completed.

The candidates are required to visit the website, view the provisional answer keys, and challenge them if required.

The detailed information along with the step-by-step procedure for raising a challenge is enclosed at Annexure 1.

The payment of the processing fee may be made through Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking by 28 June 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.). No challenge will be entertained without receipt of the processing fee. Challenges will be accepted only through the website https://neet.nta.nic.in/ during the challenge window period.

Challenges made by candidates will be verified by the designated subject matter experts. If a challenge is found correct on merit, the provisional answer key will be revised, and the responses will be evaluated against the revised final answer key for the purpose of preparing and declaring the result. Individual decisions on each challenge will not be communicated separately to candidates; however, the revised final answer key will be published on the website, and the processing fee will be refunded for every challenge that is accepted. The key finalised by the experts after the challenge period shall be final. No challenge will be accepted after 28 June 2026 (after 11:50 Р.M.).

Candidates are advised to visit the official websites of NTA for the latest updates.