MP High Court Hears NEET Discrepancy Plea

A petition has been filed in the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court alleging a 241-mark discrepancy in the NEET-UG 2026 result. The petitioner, Lokendra Singh Khadiya, a student from Jhabua district, claims that his official OMR sheet and the official answer key show that he secured 305 marks, but the final result awarded him only 64 marks.

The petition, filed through advocate Abhinav P. Dhanodkar, challenges the legal status and constitutional validity of the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to the petition, Khadiya spent nearly two years preparing for NEET in Indore after passing Class XII in 2024. He appeared for the re-examination on June 21, and when the NTA uploaded the OMR sheet on July 14, his first login allegedly displayed blank responses in the Physics and Chemistry sections.

However, on logging in again shortly afterwards, a different OMR sheet showing his marked responses appeared, which the petition describes as a serious technical flaw in the NTA's online system. Based on the second OMR sheet and the official answer key, the petitioner claims he scored 104 marks in Physics, 125 in Chemistry and 76 in Biology, taking his total to 305 marks.

Despite emailing the NTA immediately after the results were declared on July 16, Khadiya alleges that no corrective action was taken, affecting his participation in counselling for MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS, BVSc and BSc Nursing courses. The petition seeks verification of the OMR sheet, evaluation process and mark calculation, clarifying that it seeks correction of an apparent discrepancy rather than re-evaluation.

The petition also contends that the NTA, being a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and not a statutory body, lacks the legal authority to conduct national entrance examinations. The NTA's role in conducting exams like NEET has been a subject of debate, with some questioning its legitimacy and others defending its effectiveness.

The NEET exam is a crucial entrance test for students seeking admission to medical courses in India. The exam is conducted by the NTA, which is responsible for evaluating the answers and declaring the results. However, the petition highlights the concerns of students and parents about the transparency and fairness of the exam process.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the respondents to obtain instructions regarding the petitioner's OMR sheet and listed the matter for hearing next week. The court's decision will be closely watched by students, parents, and educators, as it may have implications for the future of the NEET exam and the role of the NTA in conducting national entrance examinations.

The case also raises questions about the accountability and transparency of the NTA, and whether it has the necessary legal authority to conduct exams like NEET. The outcome of the case may have significant implications for the education sector in India, and may lead to changes in the way that national entrance examinations are conducted.

In conclusion, the petition filed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court highlights the concerns of students and parents about the transparency and fairness of the NEET exam process. The court's decision will be closely watched, and may have significant implications for the future of the NEET exam and the role of the NTA in conducting national entrance examinations.