NTA Names 5 NEET Candidates, Calls OMR Allegations Digital Forgeries
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Wednesday named five candidates who appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and stated that claims of OMR sheet irregularities were based on digitally fabricated documents. The announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the exam's integrity.
The NTA, in a statement, identified the candidates and provided evidence that the allegedly tampered OMR sheets were produced using digital forgery techniques. The agency said it has submitted its findings to the Supreme Court, which is hearing petitions related to alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam.
“Our technical team has verified that the OMR sheets in question show clear signs of digital manipulation, including inconsistencies in fonts, alignment, and pixel-level anomalies,” the NTA statement read. “These are not genuine documents from our exam centres.”
The five candidates named are from different states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The NTA has urged the court to dismiss petitions based on these forged documents and to take action against those responsible for fabricating evidence.
This development adds a new dimension to the ongoing controversy over NEET, which saw record numbers of candidates this year. Several student groups and political parties had alleged widespread cheating and paper leaks, leading to calls for a re-examination.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for Monday, where the NTA’s forensic report will be examined. The court has also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to look into the origin of the forged OMR sheets.
Legal experts say that if the NTA’s claims are verified, it could significantly weaken the case for a re-test. However, petitioners’ lawyers have questioned the timing of the disclosure and demanded an independent audit of all NEET records.
The NTA has reiterated its commitment to conducting fair examinations and has promised to take strict action against any individual or group found engaging in malpractices.
