📢 Quick Answer: No, there is absolutely no negative marking in the Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UPTET) 2026. Candidates are highly encouraged to attempt all 150 questions in the examination without the fear of losing marks for incorrect answers.
UPTET 2026 Marking Scheme Overview
One of the biggest concerns for candidates appearing in competitive examinations is the penalty for wrong answers. Fortunately, the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission (UPESSC) has kept the UPTET exam student-friendly by eliminating negative marking. This rule applies to both Paper 1 (Primary Level) and Paper 2 (Upper Primary Level).
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
| For Every Correct Answer | +1 Mark |
| For Every Incorrect Answer | 0 Marks (No Penalty) |
| For Unattempted Questions | 0 Marks |
| Total Questions | 150 MCQs |
| Total Maximum Marks | 150 Marks |
Why “No Negative Marking” is a Game Changer
The absence of negative marking drastically changes how you should approach the UPTET question paper. Here is why this marking scheme is highly advantageous for teaching aspirants:
- 100% Attempt Rate: You can and should bubble an answer for every single question on the OMR sheet, even if you do not know the exact answer.
- Intelligent Guessing: If you are confused between two options, you can use the “elimination method” to make an educated guess without risking your existing score.
- Reduced Exam Stress: Candidates can focus on recalling concepts rather than constantly calculating the risk-to-reward ratio of attempting a tough question.
Total Marks and Time Duration
Both papers in the UPTET examination follow a standardized format. The exam is conducted offline using OMR sheets. You will be given a total of 150 minutes (2 Hours and 30 Minutes) to solve 150 questions.
This means you get exactly 1 minute per question. Since you do not have to worry about negative marking, if a mathematics problem or a tricky pedagogy question takes too much time, you can quickly guess the answer, bubble it, and move on to save time.
UPTET Qualifying Marks 2026
Since there are no negative marks, achieving the passing criteria relies purely on how many correct answers you secure out of 150. The minimum qualifying marks differ based on your reservation category:
| Category | Qualifying Percentage | Passing Marks (Out of 150) |
| General / EWS | 60% | 90 Marks |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes) | 55% | 82 Marks |
| SC / ST | 55% | 82 Marks |
| PwD / Ex-Servicemen | 55% | 82 Marks |
💡 Pro Tip: Do not leave the exam hall early! Utilize the last 10 minutes strictly to review your OMR sheet and randomly fill in the bubbles for any unattempted questions. A random guess might just earn you the 1 or 2 extra marks needed to cross the 90-mark qualifying threshold!
How to Fill the OMR Sheet Correctly?
While there is no penalty for wrong answers, you will lose the mark if the OMR machine cannot read your response. Keep these OMR rules in mind:
- Use only a Black or Blue Ballpoint Pen to darken the circles.
- Do not use pencils, gel pens, or whitener/correction fluid on the OMR sheet.
- Darken only ONE circle per question. If you bubble two options for a single question, it will be considered invalid and awarded 0 marks.
- Do not make any stray marks, calculations, or rough work on the OMR sheet. Use the blank pages provided in the question booklet.
Conclusion
To conclude, there is no negative marking in the UPTET 2026 exam. Every correct answer fetches you 1 mark, and wrong answers carry zero penalty. This candidate-friendly marking scheme allows you to confidently attempt all 150 questions. Focus your preparation on accuracy for the subjects you know well, and rely on smart elimination techniques for the questions you find difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there any negative marking in UPTET Paper 1?
No, there is no negative marking in UPTET Paper 1 (Primary level). You can attempt all 150 questions without penalty.
2. Are marks deducted for wrong answers in UPTET Paper 2?
No, just like Paper 1, UPTET Paper 2 (Upper Primary level) also does not have any negative marking.
3. How many marks are awarded for a correct answer in UPTET?
For every correct answer, you are awarded exactly 1 mark.
4. What happens if I select two options on the OMR sheet?
If you darken more than one circle for a single question, the answer will be considered invalid, and you will receive 0 marks for that specific question.
5. How many marks are required to pass the UPTET exam?
General category candidates need 90 marks (60%), while OBC, SC, ST, and PwD candidates need 82 marks (55%) to qualify the exam.
