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By Ankit Gupta
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Updated on 26 Jun 2026, 14:47 IST
The NEET Provisional Answer Key 2026 by NTA has been released for all paper codes. The National Testing Agency has uploaded the provisional answer keys for the NEET UG 2026 re-examination on the official NEET website. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now check the answer key as per their own question paper series code and get an early idea of their expected score.
The NEET UG 2026 re-examination was held on 21 June 2026 from 02:00 PM to 05:15 PM. After the exam, many students were waiting for the official answer key to compare their responses and understand how they performed. With the release of the provisional answer key, candidates can now match answers, calculate expected marks, and check if any answer needs review.
The National Testing Agency has released the provisional answer keys for NEET UG 2026 on the official website. The answer key has been made available for all four sets of the question paper. Candidates must check the answer key only according to their own Question Paper Series Code. The series code is printed on the cover page of the test booklet that the candidate took home from the exam centre.
| Particular | Details |
| Exam Name | National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate |
| Common Name | NEET UG 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency |
| Exam Type | Re-NEET UG 2026 |
| Exam Date | 21 June 2026 |
| Exam Time | 02:00 PM to 05:15 PM |
| Answer Key Type | Provisional Answer Key |
| Released By | NTA |
| Paper Codes | Code 50, Code 60, Code 70 and Code 80 |
| Official Website | neet.nta.nic.in |
| Challenge Fee | ₹200 per question |
| Last Date to Raise Challenge | 28 June 2026 up to 11:50 PM |
The NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key has been released for all four paper sets. This means candidates can check the answer key according to the paper code they received in the exam.
The four paper codes mentioned for NEET UG 2026 are:
| Paper Code | What Candidates Should Do |
| Code 50 | Check answers only from Code 50 answer key |
| Code 60 | Match responses with Code 60 answer key |
| Code 70 | Use Code 70 answer key for comparison |
| Code 80 | Use Code 80 answer key only |
Students should be careful while selecting the paper code. Even if the questions are similar, the order of questions may change from one code to another. So, using the wrong code may lead to wrong score calculation.
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The paper code helps students match their answers correctly. NEET question papers are usually arranged in different sets to maintain exam fairness. The answer for question number 1 in one code may not be the same as question number 1 in another code.
That is why candidates should first check the series code printed on their own test booklet. After that, they should open the answer key for the same code only.
For example:
| If Your Paper Code Is | You Should Use |
| 50 | NEET Answer Key Code 50 |
| 60 | NEET Answer Key Code 60 |
| 70 | NEET Answer Key Code 70 |
| 80 | NEET Answer Key Code 80 |
Using the correct paper code is the first step before calculating your expected NEET UG 2026 score.
Candidates can check the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key on the official NEET website.
Students should avoid depending only on unofficial answer keys after the NTA provisional answer key is released. The official key should be used for score calculation and further action.
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The NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key helps candidates compare the correct answers with their marked responses. It usually contains the correct option for each question as per the question paper code.
| Detail | Purpose |
| Question Paper Code | Helps match the correct answer key set |
| Question Number | Helps identify each question |
| Correct Option | Shows the answer according to NTA |
| Set-wise Answer Key | Helps candidates check answers code-wise |
| Challenge Option | Allows candidates to raise objections if needed |
Candidates should keep their question paper and response details ready while checking the answer key.
As per the NTA notice, the individual scanned OMR response sheets are not part of this stage. The OMR scanning process is still in progress. Candidates will get a separate opportunity to view their individual scanned OMR response sheets once the scanning process is completed.
This means that at present, candidates can check the provisional answer key and question papers. The scanned OMR response sheet will be made available later as per the official process.
Many students get confused between the provisional answer key and the final answer key. Both are not the same.
| Point of Difference | Provisional Answer Key | Final Answer Key |
| Meaning | Initial answer key released by NTA | Final corrected answer key |
| Can It Be Challenged? | Yes, during the challenge window | No |
| Used For Final Result? | Not directly | Yes |
| Can It Change? | Yes | No |
| Purpose | To let candidates check and raise objections | To prepare final result |
The provisional answer key is released first so that candidates can review the answers. After the challenge process, subject experts check the objections. If any objection is accepted, the answer key is revised. The final answer key is then used for preparing the NEET UG result.
Candidates can follow these simple steps to check the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key:
To calculate your expected NEET UG 2026 marks, use this formula:
NEET Score = (Correct Answers × 4) - (Incorrect Answers × 1)
For example, if a student has 150 correct answers and 20 incorrect answers:
Score = (150 × 4) - (20 × 1)
Score = 600 - 20
Score = 580 out of 720
This is only an expected score. The final score will depend on the final answer key released after the challenge review.
After checking the NEET Provisional Answer Key 2026 by NTA, students should not panic if their expected score is different from what they imagined. They should calmly follow these steps:
| Step | What to Do |
| Step 1 | Match answers using the correct paper code |
| Step 2 | Count correct, incorrect and unattempted questions |
| Step 3 | Calculate expected marks using the NEET formula |
| Step 4 | Check if any answer looks doubtful |
| Step 5 | Keep supporting proof ready if you want to challenge |
| Step 6 | Wait for OMR response sheet update |
| Step 7 | Follow only official NTA updates |
Yes, candidates can challenge the provisional answer key during the official challenge window. The fee is ₹200 per question challenged. According to the notice, this fee will be refunded in full if the challenge is accepted by the expert panel.
However, this article focuses mainly on the answer key release for all paper codes. Candidates who want to know the full challenge process should check the detailed guide on NEET UG 2026 answer key challenge rules, fee, dates and objection steps.
After candidates submit challenges, the objections are reviewed by subject experts. If any challenge is found correct, the provisional answer key is revised. The correction is applied to all candidates across all four sets.
This means if a valid correction is accepted for one question, it benefits all affected candidates, not only the student who raised the objection.
After the review process:
| Stage | What Happens |
| Challenge Review | Experts check submitted objections |
| Key Revision | Correct answers are updated if required |
| Final Answer Key | Final key is prepared |
| OMR Evaluation | Responses are checked using final key |
| Result Declaration | NEET UG 2026 result is announced |
NTA releases the provisional answer key to make the process more transparent. It gives candidates a chance to check the answers and raise concerns before the final result is prepared.
The provisional answer key helps in:
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Transparency | Students can see the official answers |
| Score Estimate | Candidates can calculate expected marks |
| Error Review | Doubtful questions can be checked |
| Fair Evaluation | Accepted corrections apply to all candidates |
| Early Planning | Students can plan counselling and college options |
The answer key and OMR response sheet are two different things.
| Feature | NEET Answer Key | OMR Response Sheet |
| Shows | Correct answers | Answers marked by the candidate |
| Released By | NTA | NTA |
| Use | To check correct options | To verify candidate responses |
| Status in Current Notice | Released | To be made available separately |
| Importance | Helps calculate score | Helps confirm marked answers |
At this stage, candidates should use the provisional answer key and their question paper to estimate their score. Once the scanned OMR response sheet is released, they can cross-check their actual recorded responses.
Here are the most important points about the NEET Provisional Answer Key 2026 by NTA:
| Point | Details |
| Answer key is provisional | It can change after expert review |
| All paper codes are covered | Code 50, 60, 70 and 80 |
| Use your own series code | Do not use another paper code |
| OMR sheet is not available at this stage | It will be released separately |
| Challenge fee is ₹200 per question | Refundable if challenge is accepted |
| Final key will decide result | Final score is based on revised final answer key |
| Use official websites only | Check neet.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in |
| Mistake | Why You Should Avoid It |
| Checking the wrong paper code | It can give wrong answers and wrong score |
| Trusting only unofficial keys | Official NTA key should be used |
| Forgetting negative marking | Wrong answers reduce your marks |
| Treating provisional key as final | It may change after challenges |
| Not saving calculation notes | You may need them later |
| Ignoring official updates | Dates and instructions may change |
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Yes, the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key has been released by NTA for all paper codes.
Candidates can check the NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key on the official website neet.nta.nic.in.
The answer key is available for all four paper codes: Code 50, Code 60, Code 70 and Code 80.
You should check your own paper code because the question order may be different in each set. Using the wrong code can give an incorrect score estimate.
As per the notice, the individual scanned OMR response sheets are not part of this stage. They will be made available separately once scanning is completed.
Yes, the provisional answer key can change if any challenge is accepted by the subject experts.
The fee is ₹200 per question challenged. It will be refunded in full if the challenge is accepted.
No, individual decisions on each challenge will not be sent separately. The revised final answer key will be published before the result.