Key Highlights

• The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court dismissed four petitions related to alleged OMR sheet tampering in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination.
• Two petitions were dismissed on merit after the court examined the original OMR records.
• The remaining two petitioners withdrew their pleas during the proceedings.
• The court imposed costs of ₹5,000 on each of the four petitioners, payable to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
• The decision follows earlier NTA advisories urging candidates to use the official grievance redressal mechanism for OMR-related complaints.

Bombay High Court Rejects OMR Tampering Claims

The Bombay High Court, through its Aurangabad Bench, has dismissed four writ petitions filed by candidates alleging tampering of OMR answer sheets and incorrect evaluation in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination conducted on June 21, 2026.

The petitions were filed by candidates Atharva, Hricha, Soham, and Rahul, who alleged discrepancies in their OMR answer sheets and the evaluation process.

Court Examined Original OMR Records

According to sources from the National Testing Agency> (NTA), all four candidates had first availed themselves of the agency's prescribed OMR challenge and grievance redressal mechanism before approaching the High Court.

During the proceedings:

• Two petitions were examined on their merits.
• The court reviewed the original OMR answer sheets submitted by the NTA.
• Finding no evidence to support the allegations, the court dismissed both petitions.
• The remaining two petitioners withdrew their cases before a final adjudication.

Court Imposes Costs on Petitioners

The High Court directed all four petitioners to pay ₹5,000 each as costs to the National Testing Agency.

The order came after the court concluded the proceedings in all four cases, either through dismissal or withdrawal.

NTA Reiterates Official Grievance Process

The development comes amid several claims surrounding NEET UG 2026 results and alleged OMR discrepancies following the re-examination.

The NTA has consistently advised candidates to use its official grievance redressal mechanism to address concerns related to answer sheets and evaluation.

Earlier, on July 20, 2026, the agency issued a circular cautioning aspirants against circulating false, misleading or digitally altered OMR sheets on social media and other platforms.

The agency reiterated that only official examination records should be relied upon when raising grievances.

Significance of the Verdict

The High Court's decision reinforces the importance of relying on authenticated examination records and following the prescribed legal and administrative procedures for raising examination-related complaints.

The ruling may also serve as a reference in future disputes concerning alleged OMR discrepancies, particularly where candidates have already been provided access to the official grievance process.

Why This Matters

NEET UG is India's largest undergraduate medical entrance examination, and disputes over answer sheets or evaluation can have significant consequences for candidates. The Bombay High Court's decision underscores that allegations of OMR tampering must be supported by credible evidence and that courts may rely on original examination records while adjudicating such claims. It also highlights the importance of exhausting official grievance mechanisms before seeking judicial intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What did the Bombay High Court decide?

The Aurangabad Bench dismissed two petitions alleging OMR tampering after examining the original records, while two other petitioners withdrew their cases.

Why were the petitions filed?

The candidates alleged tampering of OMR answer sheets and incorrect evaluation in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination.

Did the court find evidence of OMR tampering?

No. After examining the original OMR answer sheets in two cases, the court found no merit in the allegations.

Were any penalties imposed?

Yes. The court directed all four petitioners to pay ₹5,000 each as costs to the National Testing Agency.

What has the NTA advised candidates?

The NTA has urged candidates to use its official grievance redressal mechanism for OMR-related complaints and warned against circulating manipulated or misleading examination records.