NTA rejects OMR discrepancy claims by five re-NEET candidates, warns of action over fake records

July 21, 2026 /Posted byPrajwal EW / 0

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has rejected claims by five re-NEET-UG 2026 candidates alleging discrepancies in their OMR answer sheets, stating that the images circulated by or on behalf of the candidates had been digitally altered, AI-generated or manipulated.

The agency said no error had been found in the declared results and warned that candidates submitting fabricated records could face cancellation of candidature, debarment and criminal proceedings under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.

The NTA said genuine examination records contain barcodes, booklet and answer sheet numbers, while scorecards include QR codes linked to official server records, making fabricated images incapable of altering official data.

The agency rejected claims made by Pratibha Trivedi, Abhay Yadav, Avaneesh Srivastava, Lakshya Singh and Arya Singh after verifying their original OMR sheets.

According to the NTA, Trivedi’s circulated OMR image had been significantly altered, while Yadav’s claim of leaving only five questions unanswered was contradicted by official records showing 44 unattempted questions.

In Srivastava’s case, the agency said the circulated image carried the identity of a person who did not exist in the NEET-UG 2026 database. It added that the printed details had been regenerated using AI- or OCR-based tools and identity fields overwritten.

The NTA also said additional answer bubbles had been digitally added to Lakshya Singh’s circulated OMR, while Arya Singh’s image showed an altered invigilator signing time along with other digital modifications.

The clarification follows an advisory issued by the NTA on July 19 cautioning candidates and parents against submitting fake or AI-generated OMR sheets while raising complaints about score discrepancies.

The NEET-UG 2026 results were declared on July 16, with 11.21 lakh candidates qualifying the examination. The original exam held on May 3 was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a paper leak, and a re-examination was conducted on June 21. The CBI is investigating the alleged leak.

Following the controversy, the Centre has announced that NEET-UG will be conducted as a computer-based test from the next examination cycle instead of the existing pen-and-paper format.

Inputs from PTI

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NTA rejects OMR discrepancy claims by five re-NEET candidates, warns of action over fake records

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