NEET UG 2026 Result Controversy: Controversies surrounding the NEET UG 2026 exam results show no signs of abating. While questions had previously been raised regarding the examination process, answer keys, and results, a new issue has now emerged, casting serious doubt on the NTA’s online result system and digital record management. According to a petition filed in the Delhi High Court, a student claims that their marks changed three times within just 24 hours of the NEET UG 2026 results being declared. Initially, the portal displayed a score of 650; it later changed to 500, and by the next day, it had dropped to just 135.

The student stated that they had already cross-checked their answers against the answer key and fully expected to score over 620 marks. However, this drastic fluctuation in the final result not only shocked them but also jeopardised their hopes of securing admission to a medical college. Seeking justice, the student has approached the Delhi High Court, demanding an independent inquiry into their original OMR sheet and digital records.

What is the full story?

According to the petition, the student appeared for the NEET UG exam held in June 2026. Following the exam, the NTA released a provisional answer key, followed by a final one. The student compared their responses against both keys and estimated a score of 620 or higher. They were confident that such a score would give them a strong chance of admission to a medical college. However, the actual controversy began after the results were declared.

Score changed three times in 24 hours

According to the student, when the NEET UG results were announced on July 16, they logged into the official website to check their score. Upon first login, the displayed score was 650. Some time later, when he logged into the portal again, that same score had dropped to 500. The student initially thought there might be a technical glitch on the website. However, when he checked his result again the next day, his score appeared as only 135—meaning approximately 515 marks had suddenly vanished. According to the student, altering marks in this manner without any prior information, explanation, or notice is a serious matter.

Why did the student suffer a major setback?

In NEET UG, even a few marks can significantly impact rank and college allotment. A score above 620 offers a strong possibility of securing a seat in many government medical colleges, whereas a score of 135 effectively knocks the student out of the counselling race. Consequently, the student argues that if his actual marks have been altered improperly, his entire future could be jeopardised.

Attempt to contact the NTA

The student claimed that upon noticing this massive discrepancy in the result, he first contacted the NTA via email. He subsequently sought information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act but received no satisfactory response. Finding no resolution elsewhere, he personally visited the NTA office in New Delhi.

‘The OMR shown to me was not mine’

The student alleges that the OMR sheet displayed by officials on the computer screen at the NTA office was not his actual answer sheet. He maintains that the OMR shown on the screen differed from the one he had filled out during the exam; several answers appeared different, and the bubbles he had marked did not match. The student insists that the OMR shown to him was not his genuine OMR sheet.

Alleged discrepancy in the date as well

The petition makes another significant claim: according to the student, the NTA’s calculation sheet listed an incorrect exam date. He states that the examination was actually held on June 21. However, the record stated July 21. Citing this as a case of gross negligence in record management, the student has questioned the reliability of the NTA’s digital system.

Matter Reaches Delhi High Court

When the student failed to receive a resolution from the NTA, he filed a petition in the Delhi High Court. This petition was filed through Advocate Vineet Jindal. The student states that he is not seeking a re-evaluation of his answers; his sole demand is an impartial investigation into his actual OMR sheet and the digital records.

What Did the Student Demand from the Court?

The student has raised several significant demands in the petition. He has requested the court to direct the NTA to produce the original OMR sheet filled out on the day of the exam, asserting that this would reveal the truth. Additionally, the petition demands that all electronic records stored on the NTA’s servers be preserved securely to eliminate any possibility of tampering during the investigation.

The student seeks an examination of the OMR sheet by an independent forensic expert or a government laboratory to verify its authenticity. He has also requested the court to allow him to participate in the NEET UG counselling process pending a final verdict on the matter, arguing that if the final decision is in his favour, the opportunity for counselling would have already passed.

What is an OMR sheet?
In exams like NEET UG, instead of writing out answers, candidates fill in the circle corresponding to the correct option on an OMR sheet. These sheets are subsequently scanned and evaluated via computer. Any discrepancy found during scanning, recording, or digital processing can affect the result. However, such incidents are considered extremely rare.

How might this matter impact students?
If the court orders a detailed investigation into this case, new guidelines on online examination and result systems could emerge. Experts believe that the security of digital records could be strengthened, additional transparency could be introduced into the OMR scanning process, and better facilities could be provided for students to view their records. Furthermore, the accountability of examination agencies could increase.

Will the results of all students be affected?
It is important to note that this matter stems from an individual petition; it does not imply that there are issues with all students’ results. Until the court or the relevant authority reaches a broader conclusion, this will be viewed solely as an isolated case.

Conclusion
This NEET UG 2026 case has sparked a fresh debate regarding the transparency of exam results and digital record management. The student claims that their score dropped from 650 to 500, then to 135, within 24 hours, despite expecting over 620 marks based on the answer key. The student has also raised questions about the OMR sheet displayed at the NTA office and has petitioned the Delhi High Court for access to the original OMR sheet, assurances regarding digital record security, an independent forensic investigation, and permission to participate in counselling. All eyes are now on the upcoming court hearing.