NTA rejects allegations of discrepancies in NEET UG 2026 results, says OMR sheets were digitally manipulated

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on July 20 dismissed allegations of discrepancies in the NEET UG 2026 results, stating that the claims circulating on social media are based on "fabricated, digitally altered or otherwise forged" OMR answer sheets, with some allegedly created using artificial intelligence.

The clarification comes a day after the agency warned candidates against circulating forged examination documents and cautioned that those involved could face legal action.

In an official statement, the NTA said it had examined every complaint received regarding the evaluation process and found that the official records matched the results declared for all candidates.

“It has come to the notice of the National Testing Agency that images of OMR answer sheets, said to be the ‘correct’ record of certain candidates who appeared in NEET (UG) 2026, are being circulated on social media in support of claims that the results declared against those candidates are wrong,” the statement said.

Rejecting the allegations, the agency added, “The score declared against every such candidate is fully consistent with that OMR answer sheet, the official answer key notified for NEET (UG) 2026, and the calculation sheet on file. There is no evaluation error.”

According to the NTA, the images being shared online are not official documents but manipulated versions of genuine OMR sheets.

It said the altered images include changes ranging from additional response markings to modifications of candidate details and invigilator authentication records.

The controversy follows allegations from several candidates who claimed the OMR sheets uploaded on the official portal did not belong to them, reflected fewer attempted questions than they had answered, or had been interchanged with those of other candidates.

Many sought re-evaluation after sharing what they described as their "correct" OMR sheets on social media.

The dispute relates to the NEET UG 2026 re-examination conducted on June 21 after the original examination held in May was canceled following the paper leak controversy.

The NTA reiterated that the creation, submission, or circulation of forged examination records constitutes a criminal offense.

“The creation, submission or circulation of a fabricated, digitally altered or otherwise forged OMR answer sheet is a cognisable offence under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and separately attracts liability under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000,” the statement said.

The agency further stated that every genuine OMR sheet and scorecard contains multiple security identifiers, including the roll number, booklet number, barcode, serial number, QR code, candidate details, signatures, and thumb impressions, all of which are verified against records maintained by the NTA and the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

The issue has also drawn political attention, with Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal questioning the conduct of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination and urging the government to address candidates' grievances over alleged discrepancies in OMR sheets and declared scores.