NEET-UG 2026: Six students move Supreme Court over OMR sheet mismatch

Six candidates who appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 examination have approached the Supreme Court alleging discrepancies between the answers they marked on their OMR sheets and the copies uploaded by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The plea was mentioned before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday, seeking an urgent hearing before the commencement of the counselling process.

The counsel appearing for the students informed the bench, which also comprised Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, that the six candidates had scored more than 600 and 650 marks in the medical entrance test. However, they claim that the OMR sheets made available by the NTA do not match the responses they had actually recorded during the examination.

The lawyer further submitted that the students had emailed the NTA and also visited its office to raise their concerns, but received no response. The bench, after hearing the mention, agreed to list the matter for a hearing, though no specific date was announced.

NEET-UG 2026 was originally conducted on May 3, but was cancelled following a reported paper leak. The examination was subsequently re-conducted by the NTA on June 21. The re-examination was held across multiple centres in the country, and results were declared in July. The counselling process, which is scheduled to begin soon, is crucial for the students seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses.

The case highlights the concerns of candidates about the transparency and accuracy of the examination process. The NTA, which is responsible for conducting the exam, has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations raised in the petition.

The Supreme Court's decision to list the matter for hearing will be watched closely by thousands of aspirants and their families, as any delay could affect the counselling schedule. The students are seeking a thorough verification of their OMR sheets and appropriate remedies to address the alleged discrepancies.

This is not the first time that NEET-UG has faced legal challenges. Earlier instances of examination irregularities have led to court interventions and revised procedures. The current petition, however, is specific to the alleged mismatch in OMR sheets, a technical issue that could have significant implications for the affected candidates.

Legal experts note that the burden lies on the NTA to ensure that the records it maintains accurately reflect candidates' responses. In the event of any genuine discrepancy, the examination authority is expected to take corrective action. The court's involvement will likely ensure that due process is followed.

The matter is expected to be taken up in the coming days, and a decision could set a precedent for dealing with similar grievances from other candidates. As the students await the hearing, they hope for a swift resolution that will allow them to participate in counselling without further delay.