NTA puts UGC NET answer keys for 3 subjects on hold amid question paper errors

NTA has issued the UGC-NET June 2026 provisional answer keys for 84 subjects, but withheld the keys for English, Commerce and Sociology following complaints about errors in the question papers. A separate notice today will clarify the next steps as candidates await decisions on objections and leak claims.NTA puts UGC NET answer keys for 3 subjects on hold amid question paper errorsNearly six-and-a-half weeks after the exam, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the provisional UGC-NET June 2026 answer keys for 84 subjects. However, the answer keys for English, Commerce and Sociology are being reviewed separately following complaints about errors and other issues in their question papers.NTA said it has constituted a committee to examine the complaints related to the three subjects. The agency will issue a separate public notice later today, August 16, based on the committee's recommendations."In respect of the three remaining subjects, namely English, Commerce and Sociology, a committee was constituted to look into the complaints received regarding various types of errors in the question papers. Based on the recommendations of this committee, a public notice with regard to these 3 subjects is being issued separately, later today," reads the official notice.NTA conducted the UGC-NET June 2026 examination from June 22 to June 30, 2026, across 87 subjects, for the award of Junior Research Fellowship, eligibility for Assistant Professor, and admission to PhD programmes. WHY ARE ENGLISH, COMMERCE AND SOCIOLOGY UNDER SCRUTINY?The three subjects were placed under scrutiny after candidates raised concerns over the quality of the question papers. The English paper drew allegations of extensive repetition, with candidates claiming that 67 of the 150 questions were repeated from the 2024 examination. The Sociology paper, meanwhile, faced complaints over spelling mistakes, incorrect names of scholars and terms, grammatical errors and problems in some Hindi translations.The English paper came under scrutiny over allegations that a large number of questions had appeared in the 2024 UGC-NET examination as well. Candidates questioned the fairness of the paper, particularly because the alleged repetition involved the subject-specific section. Commerce candidates also raised concerns about the question paper, prompting NTA to include the subject in the committee's review. The agency has not yet disclosed the specific findings or recommendations concerning Commerce.In Sociology, candidates pointed to several errors in the paper, including misspellings in names and terminology and inconsistencies in Hindi translations. These issues led to questions over whether the mistakes could have affected candidates' understanding of certain questions.The complaints from the three subjects are now being considered together by the committee, with NTA set to announce its decision separately.SOCIOLOGY PAPER LEAK ALLEGATIONSThe Sociology paper controversy has also been accompanied by allegations of a possible paper leak. Some candidates have claimed that a PDF containing Sociology examination questions was circulated online before the test. The allegation has added to concerns among candidates already questioning errors in the paper.However, NTA has not confirmed that the Sociology paper was leaked. Candidates should therefore wait for the agency's official findings and avoid treating unverified claims circulating online as established facts.ANSWER KEY CHALLENGE WINDOW OPEN FOR 84 SUBJECTSFor candidates who appeared for the other 84 subjects, the provisional answer keys are now available, and the challenge window is open.Candidates can challenge the provisional answer keys from August 16 to August 18, 2026. A non-refundable processing fee of Rs 200 per question challenged has to be paid. The deadline for payment of the challenge fee is also August 18, 2026. NTA will examine the objections before finalising the answer keys.For candidates who appeared for English, Commerce and Sociology, the key development to watch is NTA's separate public notice later today. The agency has not announced that these examinations will be cancelled or that a re-examination will be held.Any decision on the three subjects will depend on the committee's recommendations and NTA's subsequent announcement. Candidates should rely on NTA's official website and verified communication channels for further updates.- EndsPublished By: Apoorva AnandPublished On: Aug 16, 2026 16:05 IST