The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the provisional answer key for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2025 examination. Candidates can now access and review the answers. The NTA has also opened a window for candidates to submit objections against the provisional key. All challenges must be submitted by January 17 .
Accessing the Answer Key
Candidates can download the UGC NET 2025 December answer key directly from the official website: ugcnet.nta.ac.in. To access their specific answer key, candidates must enter their date of birth and password. This process ensures secure retrieval of individual response sheets and the provisional answers.
Challenging Provisional Answers
The NTA provides a formal mechanism for candidates to challenge any question or answer they believe is incorrect. A non-refundable fee of Rs 200 applies for each question challenged. This fee must be paid online per objection. Candidates should meticulously review the provisional key and their own responses before submitting any challenge. The objection window closes on January 17 , making prompt action essential for affected candidates.
Review Process and Final Key
Upon receiving challenges, the NTA convenes a panel of subject experts. These experts independently review each submitted objection. If any challenge is found to be valid and factually correct, the NTA will implement the necessary corrections. These approved changes will then be reflected in the final answer key. This expert review process ensures the fairness and accuracy of the examination results for all participants.
Publication of Results
The final answer key is crucial for the official score calculation. The UGC NET 2025 December final result will be published only after the completion of this entire review and correction process. This timeline allows for all candidate objections to be addressed before final scores are declared. Candidates should monitor the official website for updates on the final answer key and result declaration.
UGC NET Examination Overview
The UGC NET is a national-level test that determines eligibility for significant academic and research roles. It assesses candidates for the post of Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges. Successful candidates also qualify for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), which provides financial assistance for pursuing PhD research. Additionally, the examination serves as a gateway for direct PhD admissions. The December 2025 cycle of the examination was conducted over several dates, specifically from December 31 to January 7 .
Marking Scheme Details
The UGC NET 2025 question paper consists of multiple-choice questions. According to the official marking scheme, each correct response awards two marks to the candidate. A significant aspect of this examination is the absence of negative marking. This means candidates are not penalized for incorrect answers, encouraging them to attempt all questions without fear of losing marks for wrong choices.
Minimum Qualification Cut-offs
To qualify for Assistant Professor or JRF, candidates must meet specific minimum percentage cut-offs. The NTA sets these thresholds to ensure a baseline standard of academic competence. These cut-offs vary by candidate category and apply separately to Paper 1 and Paper 2 of the examination. Meeting these minimum percentages is a prerequisite for consideration for merit-based selection.
UGC NET 2025 December: Category-wise Minimum Percentages
| Category | Minimum Percentage in Paper 1 (out of 100) | Minimum Percentage in Paper 2 (out of 200) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 40% | 40% |
| OBC | 35% | 35% |
| SC, ST | 35% | 35% |