The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a strong clarification amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET UG 2026 Re-Examination, stating that some of the OMR sheets circulating on social media are digitally altered and, in certain cases, generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The agency has also warned that candidates or individuals found submitting fabricated documents during the grievance process may face legal action under applicable laws.
The latest development comes after the conclusion of the OMR display and challenge window, which was available from July 13 to July 15, 2026 (11:00 AM). During this period, candidates were allowed to access their scanned OMR answer sheets and recorded responses through the official NEET portal and raise objections if they noticed any discrepancies.
Following the closure of the challenge window, the NTA received several representations from candidates alleging mismatches between the answers they had marked in the examination and those reflected in the uploaded OMR sheets.
According to the agency, every complaint is being examined individually. However, during the verification process, investigators found that some of the documents submitted as evidence had been manipulated.
The NTA stated that two widely circulated cases received particular attention. After technical examination, one of the OMR sheets was found to be entirely AI-generated, while another had been digitally edited before being shared online and submitted as part of a complaint.
The agency has urged candidates to rely only on the documents made available through the official NEET portal. It cautioned that creating or circulating fake OMR sheets, edited screenshots, or AI-generated answer sheets can mislead other candidates and interfere with the examination process.
NTA has made it clear that strict legal action may be initiated against individuals involved in submitting forged documents or spreading false information related to the examination.
Officials also advised candidates to avoid trusting unofficial social media posts or altered images that claim to represent official OMR records.
While identifying fake submissions, the NTA clarified that genuine complaints submitted through the prescribed mechanism are still being reviewed. Candidates who used the official objection facility within the stipulated timeline will have their representations examined according to established procedures.
The agency reiterated that transparency remains a priority and that all valid grievances will be addressed through proper technical verification.
Students are encouraged to obtain all examination-related information only from the official NEET website and NTA notifications. Any future updates regarding OMR verification, answer key revisions, or result-related matters will be published through official channels.
Candidates should preserve their official OMR sheet, response sheet, and other examination documents downloaded from the NTA portal, as these remain the only authentic records for verification purposes.
Conclusion
The latest OMR controversy has added another chapter to the ongoing discussions surrounding NEET UG 2026. While several candidates continue to seek clarification regarding their recorded responses, the NTA has taken a firm stand against fabricated evidence, confirming that some viral OMR sheets were digitally altered or generated using AI. The agency has assured candidates that genuine grievances will continue to be examined while warning that strict legal action may follow against those attempting to misuse technology to create or circulate fake examination records.