NEET – Karnataka Aspirant Alleges OMR Mismatch, Seeks Access to Original Answer Sheet
NEET – A NEET aspirant from Karnataka has raised concerns over the accuracy of the OMR answer sheet released after the 2026 undergraduate medical entrance examination, claiming the document does not reflect the responses she actually marked during the test. The student has appealed to the authorities to provide her original OMR sheet for an independent verification of her claims.
Aspirant Claims Major Difference in Recorded Responses
Bindushree Jagdish Pawar, a resident of Haveri district in Karnataka, told reporters that she attempted 165 out of the 180 questions in the examination. However, according to the OMR sheet made available by the examination authorities, only 41 questions were shown as attempted. Based on that record, she was awarded a score of minus 11, a result she strongly disputes.
According to Pawar, if her actual responses are evaluated using the officially released final answer key, her expected score would be around 668 marks. She said the large difference between her recollection of the exam and the published OMR sheet has left her seeking a detailed review of her case.
Request for Original OMR Sheet
The student has urged the government and the concerned examination authorities to allow her access to the original OMR answer sheet used during the examination process. She believes a direct comparison between the original document and the version released online would help determine whether any error occurred during processing.
Pawar stated that the OMR sheet published on July 16 does not match the answers she remembers marking in the examination hall. She argued that the document contains several inconsistencies and maintained that obtaining the original sheet is essential for a transparent verification of her result.
NTA Rejects Allegations of Result Errors
The controversy comes at a time when the National Testing Agency (NTA) has already responded to similar claims circulating on social media regarding NEET (UG) 2026 answer sheets. The agency has maintained that the officially declared results are accurate and that misleading images being shared online do not represent authentic examination records.
In its official statement, the NTA said it became aware of several images of OMR sheets being circulated on digital platforms. These images were presented as evidence to suggest that certain candidates had received incorrect results. After examining each case, the agency said it found no discrepancy between the declared scores and its original records.
Agency Explains Verification Process
The testing agency emphasized that every genuine OMR answer sheet includes multiple security and identification features designed to prevent tampering. These include the candidate’s roll number, test booklet number, barcode, answer sheet serial number, test booklet code, handwritten details, signatures of the candidate and invigilators, and the candidate’s thumb impression.
According to the NTA, these identifying elements make it possible to verify the authenticity of every answer sheet maintained in its records. The agency reiterated that its verification process confirmed the declared results were consistent with the original documents in all the cases it examined.
Warning Against Circulating Fake Documents
The NTA also cautioned the public against creating, sharing, or submitting fabricated OMR answer sheets. It said such actions may amount to criminal offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The agency further noted that legal action could also be initiated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, where applicable.
As discussions continue over the Karnataka student’s allegations, the matter has renewed attention on examination transparency, document verification procedures, and the mechanisms available for candidates seeking clarification regarding their results.