The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a public notice warning candidates and their guardians against the submission or circulation of fabricated, digitally altered or AI-generated OMR answer sheets and scorecards related to NEET UG 2026. The agency said several representations received after the declaration of results were accompanied by forged documents claiming discrepancies in candidates’ marks and responses.
According to the notice dated July 20, the NTA conducted NEET UG 2026 on June 21 and declared the results on July 16 after releasing provisional answer keys, recorded responses and scanned copies of candidates’ OMR sheets. The agency stated that candidates were also given an opportunity to challenge answer keys and recorded responses through the prescribed mechanism.
The NTA said it has received complaints alleging that NEET UG OMR sheets uploaded against candidates’ roll numbers were interchanged or displayed fewer attempted questions than claimed. In many such cases, candidates or individuals claiming to represent them submitted images of what they described as the “correct” OMR sheets or scorecards while seeking re-evaluation.
NTA Says Fabricated Documents Detected
The agency stated that every representation examined so far has been matched against official records. It maintained that genuine OMR sheets contain verifiable identifiers such as roll numbers, booklet numbers, barcodes, signatures and thumb impressions that correspond with official records and declared scores. The documents submitted in these complaints, it said, were found to be fabricated.
NTA identified several patterns of alleged fabrication, including the use of AI-based image tools to digitally regenerate printed portions of OMR sheets, overwriting identity details, altering marks or response counts on downloaded scorecards and inserting fictitious candidate identities into fabricated images.
The agency warned that creating, possessing, submitting or circulating forged examination documents constitutes a cognisable offence under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, besides attracting liability under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000. Such offences may lead to imprisonment, fines, cancellation of candidature and debarment from future NTA examinations.
Check official notice released by NTA below:
However, the NTA clarified that candidates with genuine grievances may continue to approach the agency through the prescribed channels by providing details of the alleged discrepancy.
NTA Responds to Candidate’s Claim on Social Media
Shortly after issuing the public notice, the NTA also responded to claims made by NEET UG 2026 candidate Ms. Pratibha Trivedi (Application No. 260412140662) regarding her OMR answer sheet.
In a post on X, the agency said it had verified its official records and confirmed that the genuine OMR sheet is in its possession. According to the NTA, the candidate’s OMR sheet was also emailed to her at her registered email address during the OMR Response Key challenge window.
The agency stated that the image currently being circulated is a digitally altered version of the genuine OMR sheet and does not match the document held in its official records. It alleged that the circulated copy has been significantly modified digitally.
The NTA further clarified that the candidate’s score of 38 marks has been verified and remains unchanged as declared in the NEET UG 2026 results.
Reiterating its earlier warning, the agency said that creating or circulating forged OMR answer sheets is an offence under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. It urged candidates and the public to rely only on official records while raising grievances and stated that genuine complaints will continue to be addressed through the prescribed mechanism.