NEET candidate heads to Delhi after NTA rejects OMR mismatch allegations

A fresh controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination has gained attention after a student from Uttar Pradesh and her father travelled to Delhi to protest against the National Testing Agency (NTA). The move came after the NTA rejected allegations that the student's result had been altered and stated that the OMR sheet being circulated online was not authentic.

The student, Arya Singh, and her father, Rakesh Singh, say they are not satisfied with the agency's explanation and want a detailed clarification regarding the marks awarded to her in the examination. They have now decided to stage a sit-in protest outside the NTA office in Delhi.

The dispute is one of several complaints that emerged after the declaration of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination results. While some students claimed that their scores did not match their expectations or answer sheets, the NTA has maintained that all results were calculated correctly and that several documents shared online were manipulated or fake.

Arya's case has drawn significant public attention because of her allegations that her marks changed after the results were announced. Her father, a former soldier from Kanpur, has also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure that students receive a fair hearing.

Student questions result and OMR records

According to Arya Singh, the confusion began after the declaration of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination results. She claims that her score was initially displayed as 570 marks but later changed to 167 marks within a few hours.

Concerned by the sudden change, Arya and her family sought clarification from the NTA. She requested a copy of her OMR answer sheet through official channels so that she could compare her responses with the result that had been declared.

Arya alleges that the OMR sheet she received contained irregularities. According to her, one question number was missing while another number appeared twice. She says she raised an objection with the agency and requested a review of the document.

After her complaint, Arya claims that another OMR sheet was sent to her. According to her account, this revised document reflected a score of 609 marks. She argues that the existence of different versions of the OMR sheet raises important questions about the accuracy of the evaluation process.

Speaking before leaving for Delhi, Arya's father said they would continue their protest until they received satisfactory answers from the authorities.

Rakesh Singh stated that the family wanted transparency and clarity regarding the marks awarded to his daughter. He also questioned how different versions of the OMR sheet could exist and demanded an explanation from the agency.

While speaking to reporters, he urged the Prime Minister to look into the concerns being raised by students. He said many candidates spend months preparing for one of India's most competitive entrance examinations and deserve confidence in the evaluation process.

When asked whether the family would approach the courts, he indicated that legal options remained open but suggested they would first pursue other avenues before taking that step.

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NTA stands by its findings

The National Testing Agency has firmly rejected Arya Singh's allegations as well as similar claims made by other candidates.

In a public statement, the agency said it had carefully examined all complaints and representations received from students. According to the NTA, every case was reviewed on its own merits and compared with official examination records.

The agency stated that the OMR sheets circulating on social media and submitted by certain complainants were not genuine documents issued by the NTA. It described these documents as fabricated, digitally altered or possibly generated using artificial intelligence tools.

Officials said genuine OMR sheets contain several security features, including unique barcodes, answer-sheet numbers, booklet numbers and QR codes that are linked to official records maintained by the agency.

According to the NTA, a detailed forensic and record-based examination found that the original OMR sheets in its possession matched the scores that were declared.

The agency maintained that all results were calculated using the official answer key and standard evaluation procedures. It further stated that no discrepancies were found between the original answer sheets and the final marks awarded in the cases reviewed.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of an already sensitive examination season. The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination was conducted on June 21 after the original examination held on May 3 was cancelled due to allegations of a paper leak.

The paper leak controversy had already sparked widespread concern among students and parents across the country. Following the allegations, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched an inquiry into the matter.

According to reports, the CBI has arrested several individuals in connection with the alleged leak and continues to investigate the case. A chargesheet is expected to be filed as the investigation progresses.

The latest dispute over result discrepancies has added another layer of concern for students who appeared in the re-examination. Many candidates have taken to social media to express frustration and seek clarification regarding their scores.

Despite the growing debate, the NTA has reiterated that it remains committed to examining genuine grievances while also taking action against the circulation of fake or altered documents.

As Arya Singh and her father begin their protest in Delhi, the issue is likely to attract further attention from students, parents and education experts. Whether the matter leads to additional reviews, legal proceedings or further investigations remains to be seen.

For now, both sides continue to stand by their positions. While Arya and her family insist that there are unanswered questions regarding her result, the NTA maintains that its records are accurate and that the declared scores reflect the genuine evaluation of candidates' answer sheets.