The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the provisional answer key for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for postgraduate programs on April 22, 2025. This announcement comes after a prolonged delay that sparked widespread concern among the over 400,000 candidates who appeared for the exam, which was conducted from March 13 to April 1, 2025, across 43 shifts and covering 157 subjects.
Initially, candidates were expecting the answer key to be made available within a week of the exam's conclusion, a timeline consistent with previous years. However, this year’s delay extended beyond the usual timeframe, leading to frustration and questions about the transparency and efficiency of the examination process. "It's been 21 days since the CUET PG 2025 exams ended, and still no sign of the answer key. @NTA_Exams, students deserve better communication and timely updates. This silence is unfair," one candidate expressed on social media.
The CUET PG 2025 exam utilized a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format, which contributed to the logistical challenges of compiling and verifying the answer keys. The NTA has not provided an official explanation for the delay, but several factors could be at play, including the volume of data needing processing, quality assurance checks, and potential technical difficulties.
With the release of the provisional answer key, candidates can now download it from the official CUET PG website at exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-PG. To access the answer key, candidates must log in with their application number and date of birth. The answer key allows students to cross-check their answers and estimate their scores, which is crucial for their academic planning.
For those who believe there are errors in the provisional answer key, the NTA has opened an objection window, allowing candidates to raise challenges against the key. This window opened concurrently with the release of the answer key and will remain open until April 24, 2025, at 11:50 PM. Candidates wishing to challenge an answer must pay a non-refundable fee of INR 200 for each question contested. The final answer key will be published after reviewing the objections raised.
"NTA wants students to pay fees on time, report to exam halls on time. But when it comes to results or answer keys—suddenly there's no concept of time," another candidate noted, highlighting the disparity in communication and efficiency compared to the prompt release of results for other exams, such as JEE Main 2025.
As candidates await the final answer key, expected to be released in the fourth week of April 2025, they are also eager to understand the implications of their scores. The provisional answer key includes essential information such as the exam date, paper code, question IDs, and the correct answer IDs for each question. Candidates can use this information to calculate their scores based on the marking scheme: four marks for each correct answer, a deduction of one mark for incorrect answers, and no marks for unattempted questions.
Moreover, the expected cut-off scores for various categories have been a topic of discussion among candidates. The anticipated cut-offs for the General category range from 225 to 240, while for OBC candidates, it is expected to be between 220 and 230. SC candidates can expect a cut-off of 210 to 218, and for ST candidates, the range is projected at 198 to 210.
As of now, the candidates are advised to regularly check the NTA’s official website for updates regarding the final answer key and the subsequent results. The delay in the release of the answer key has significant repercussions, affecting not only the candidates' ability to assess their performance but also the timelines for university admissions.
In addition to the academic implications, the uncertainty surrounding the answer key has raised concerns about the mental health of students. Many have expressed feelings of anxiety and stress due to the prolonged wait for results that are critical for their future educational paths. The lack of communication from the NTA has left many feeling neglected and frustrated.
As the situation unfolds, candidates continue to voice their concerns on social media, calling for improved communication and transparency from the NTA. A Twitter account dedicated to CUET PG complaints has emerged, urging the UGC Chairman and other officials to establish a unified counseling portal for CUET PG 2025 admissions, as current processes require candidates to apply separately to each participating university.
In summary, the release of the CUET PG 2025 provisional answer key marks a significant milestone for the candidates who have been anxiously awaiting clarity on their performance. The upcoming days will be crucial as candidates navigate the objection process and anticipate the final answer key and results, which will ultimately determine their academic futures.
For candidates looking to download the answer key, here’s a quick guide:
- Visit the official CUET PG website: exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-PG
- Click on the link for the CUET PG 2025 answer key.
- Enter your login credentials (application number and date of birth).
- Submit to view and download the provisional answer key.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops and candidates prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys.
