NEET UG 2026: NTA Official Clarifications on Viral OMR Claims

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released an official public notice dated 20 July 2026 addressing several viral claims regarding NEET UG 2026 OMR answer sheets circulating on social media. According to the NTA NEET 2026 official clarification, the images shared online were either digitally altered, AI-generated, or forged versions of genuine OMR sheets.

As part of the NTA fact check NEET 2026, the agency verified candidate records and confirmed that the official OMR sheets, responses, and scores remain accurate. NTA also warned that creating or circulating forged OMR sheets is an offence under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. This NEET UG 2026 official news aims to curb NEET 2026 misinformation and assure candidates that all genuine records have been thoroughly verified.

NTA Clarification on Avaneesh Srivastava's Viral OMR Claim

NTA examined the case of Shri Avaneesh Srivastava (Application No. 260411198880) after a viral OMR image claimed his details had been changed.

Key Findings

• NTA confirmed the genuine OMR sheet is available on record.

• The original OMR had already been emailed to the candidate during the OMR Response Key Challenge Window.

• The viral image does not belong to any registered NEET UG 2026 candidate.

• Identity details shown in the viral image ("Ajeet Singh") do not exist in the NEET UG 2026 database.

• According to NTA, the circulated image was digitally regenerated using AI/OCR-based tools, with identity fields overwritten.

• The candidate's verified score of 337 marks remains unchanged.

This clarification is part of the NTA response to NEET 2026 allegations regarding manipulated OMR sheets.

NTA Fact Check on Pratibha Trivedi's OMR Sheet

The agency also addressed viral posts concerning Ms. Pratibha Trivedi (Application No. 260412140662).

NTA's Official Verification

• The genuine OMR sheet is safely maintained by NTA.

• The original OMR was emailed to the candidate during the challenge period.

• The circulating image is a digitally altered version of the authentic OMR.

• NTA confirmed that the official score of 38 marks is correct and remains valid.

The agency reiterated that digitally modifying or sharing forged OMR sheets constitutes an offence under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

NTA Responds to Abhay Yadav's Marks Allegation

Another NEET 2026 OMR controversy involved Shri Abhay Yadav (Application No. 260411367191).

NTA's Findings

• The candidate publicly claimed he attempted almost the entire paper and deserved 634 marks.

• NTA verified the official OMR and found the claim incorrect.

• According to official records:

• Total Questions: 180

• Questions Left Unattempted: 44

• OMR sheet and score calculation are fully consistent.

• The verified score is 164 marks, which stands unchanged.

NTA clarified that making public claims inconsistent with official examination records may attract legal action under the Public Examinations Act.

Lakshya Singh's Viral OMR Image Found to be Digitally Modified

The agency also investigated allegations involving Shri Lakshya Singh (Application No. 260412053016).

Official Findings

• The authentic OMR remains with NTA.

• The viral image contains response markings that do not exist on the original sheet.

• Additional answer bubbles were digitally inserted to create a forged OMR.

• Official attempt summary:

• Attempted Questions: 54

• Correct Answers: 34

• Incorrect Answers: 20

• Unattempted Questions: 126

• The verified NEET UG 2026 score is 116 marks.

NTA emphasized that circulating fabricated OMR sheets is punishable under the law.

Arya Singh's OMR Sheet Digitally Altered, Says NTA

NTA also responded to claims related to Ms. Arya Singh (Application No. 260410434102).

Verification Report

• The genuine OMR sheet is available with NTA.

• The candidate had already received the official OMR through email.

• The viral image was digitally altered.

• One invigilator's signature time had been changed from 3:45 PM to 2:45 PM, along with several other digital modifications.

• NTA confirmed the official score of 167 marks remains valid.

The agency stated that all official records have been verified and no discrepancy was found in evaluation.

NTA's Advisory to NEET UG 2026 Candidates

Following multiple NEET 2026 viral claims, NTA has urged candidates not to rely on edited screenshots or unverified social media posts. Candidates should refer only to official communications and authentic documents issued by NTA.

The agency reiterated that:

• Genuine OMR sheets were shared with candidates during the response challenge window.

• Official records have been cross-verified.

• Verified scores remain unchanged.

• Forging or circulating manipulated examination records is punishable under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.