A student from Beed, Maharashtra, has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court alleging a significant discrepancy in his NEET-UG 2026 re-examination score. Soham Nitin Gavte claims that while his own calculations based on the OMR sheet and official answer key suggest he scored 522 out of 720, the National Testing Agency (NTA) awarded him only 95 marks. The case is set for hearing on July 23 at the Aurangabad bench.
Understanding NEET and the Re-examination Context
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a crucial medical entrance exam in India, determining admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses. The 2026 NEET-UG exam initially took place on May 3 but was cancelled due to a paper leak controversy. Subsequently, the NTA conducted a re-exam on June 21, with results announced on July 16.
Following the re-exam, candidates received their OMR response sheets and the official answer key, enabling them to cross-check their answers. This process allows students to estimate their scores before the official results are released.
Details of the Score Discrepancy Case
- Soham Nitin Gavte scored 94.6% in Class 10 and 74.17% in Class 12 (Science stream).
- He appeared for the NEET re-exam on June 21.
- Upon receiving his OMR sheet on July 14 and the official answer key on July 16, Gavte calculated that he answered 148 questions, with 136 correct and 12 incorrect.
- Based on NEET's marking scheme, this should have resulted in a score of 522 out of 720.
- However, the official scorecard issued by the NTA showed only 95 marks.
- Gavte contacted the NTA via email on July 17 and 18 seeking clarification and re-evaluation but received no response.
- He has now filed a writ petition through advocates Sudarshan Salunke and Mahendra Gandle, requesting verification of his answer sheet and correction of his score.
Why This Score Discrepancy Could Have Major Consequences
NEET scores are critical for medical aspirants as they determine eligibility and ranking for admission to medical colleges across India. A discrepancy as large as the one claimed by Gavte could severely impact his chances of admission and future career prospects.
The lack of response from the NTA has left the student with no option but to seek judicial intervention. The court's decision could set a precedent for how such discrepancies are handled in the future, emphasizing transparency and accountability in the examination process.
Moreover, this case highlights the challenges faced by students in verifying their results and the importance of timely communication from examination authorities. With the NEET re-exam being a high-stakes test following a paper leak, ensuring accuracy and fairness in scoring is paramount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is NEET and why is it important?
A: NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is an entrance exam for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses in India. It is a key exam that determines eligibility and ranking for medical college admissions.
Q: Why was the NEET 2026 exam re-conducted?
A: The original NEET 2026 exam held on May 3 was cancelled due to allegations of a paper leak. The National Testing Agency conducted a re-exam on June 21 to ensure a fair examination process.
Q: What steps is the student taking regarding the score mismatch?
A: After receiving no response from the NTA to his emails, the student filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court seeking verification of his answer sheet and correction of his scorecard. The hearing is scheduled for July 23.
