A NEET UG 2026 candidate has moved the Delhi High Court alleging serious irregularities in the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) evaluation process after his examination score reportedly changed three times within a span of 24 hours on the official result portal.
The petitioner has questioned the authenticity of the OMR answer sheet displayed by the NTA and has sought judicial intervention for an independent verification of his original examination records.
Student Claims Score Changed from 650 to 135
According to the petition, the student appeared for the NEET UG 2026 examination on June 21. After comparing his responses with the provisional and final answer keys, he estimated his score would be around 620 marks.
However, when the results were announced on July 16, the NTA portal initially displayed a score of 650 marks. After being logged out and signing in again, the displayed score allegedly changed to 500 marks. By the following day, the score had reportedly dropped further to 135 marks.
The petition states that no explanation was provided by the NTA regarding these successive changes in the score displayed on the portal.
OMR Sheet Authenticity Questioned
Following the discrepancies, the student submitted multiple email representations to the NTA and also filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking access to his original OMR sheet and evaluation records.
The petition states that the student later visited the NTA office in New Delhi, where officials displayed an OMR sheet on a computer screen, claiming it was his answer sheet. However, the candidate disputed its authenticity, alleging that it was not the OMR sheet he had filled during the examination.
Despite his objections, officials reportedly informed him that the displayed document was the only OMR sheet available in their records. The same copy was later emailed to him, but the student continues to challenge its authenticity.
Petition Raises Concerns Over Examination Records
The plea also points to an alleged discrepancy in a calculation sheet provided by the NTA. According to the petition, the document incorrectly mentions the examination date as July 21, 2026, instead of June 21, 2026.
The petitioner argues that such inconsistencies raise concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the records maintained during the evaluation process.
Reliefs Sought Before the Delhi High Court
The petition clarifies that the student is not seeking re-evaluation of his answers. Instead, he has requested verification of the original physical OMR sheet and related digital records.
Among the key reliefs sought are:
- Production and preservation of the original physical OMR answer sheet.
- Preservation of all electronic examination records, including server logs, scanning logs, audit trails and metadata.
- Appointment of an independent forensic expert, laboratory or Court Commissioner to examine the physical and digital records.
- Permission to participate in the ongoing NEET UG 2026 counselling process while the matter is under consideration.
Case to Be Heard by Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the matter on Friday. The case has drawn attention to concerns surrounding the handling of examination records, digital evaluation systems, and transparency in India’s largest medical entrance examination.
The court’s decision could have significant implications for the verification process of examination records and the safeguards adopted by testing agencies in high-stakes competitive exams.
FAQs
1. Why has the NEET UG 2026 student approached the Delhi High Court?
The student alleges that his NEET UG score changed three times within 24 hours and has questioned the authenticity of the OMR sheet shown by the NTA.
2. What were the different scores displayed on the NTA portal?
According to the petition, the score changed from 650 to 500 and later to 135.
3. Is the student seeking re-evaluation of his answers?
No. The petition only seeks verification of the original OMR sheet and related digital records.
4. What discrepancy has the student alleged regarding the OMR sheet?
He claims the OMR sheet displayed by the NTA is not the one he filled during the examination.
5. What records has the student asked the court to preserve?
The plea seeks preservation of the original OMR sheet, server logs, scanning logs, audit trails, metadata and other related electronic records.
6. Has the student contacted the NTA before approaching the court?
Yes. He sent multiple email representations, filed an RTI application, and visited the NTA office.
7. What issue was raised about the NTA’s calculation sheet?
The petition alleges that the sheet incorrectly mentions the examination date as July 21 instead of June 21, 2026.
8. Can the student participate in NEET counselling?
The petition requests the court to allow him to participate in the ongoing counselling process while the case is being heard.
9. When is the Delhi High Court expected to hear the case?
The matter is scheduled to be heard on Friday.
10. Why is this case significant?
It raises broader questions about transparency, digital record management, and the integrity of the NEET UG evaluation process.
