The National Testing Agency (NTA) has rolled out a fresh opportunity for NEET UG 2026 candidates to review their scanned OMR sheets and raise objections if their marked answers don’t match the responses recorded in the system. This move comes after the agency conducted a re-exam of NEET (UG) 2026 on June 21, 2026, held between 2:00 PM and 5:15 PM.
Through a public notice dated July 13, 2026, NTA has confirmed that scanned copies of OMR answer sheets, along with the corresponding recorded responses, are now live on the official NEET portal at neet.nta.nic.in. Candidates have also been sent their individual scanned OMR images on the email address they used at the time of registration.
What Is the NEET UG 2026 Recorded Response Challenge?
This window allows candidates to compare what they actually marked on their physical OMR sheet with what the scanning system has recorded against their name. If there’s a mismatch, they can formally raise a challenge through the NTA website.
It’s worth noting that this is different from the answer key challenge, which NTA has already closed. No further objections regarding the answer key itself will be accepted at this stage only discrepancies in recorded responses or data fields are open for review.
Important Dates for NEET UG 2026 Response Challenge
| Activity | Details |
| Exam Conducted | June 21, 2026 (Sunday), 2:00 PM – 5:15 PM |
| Public Notice Issued | July 13, 2026 |
| Challenge Window Opens | July 13, 2026 |
| Challenge Window Closes | July 15, 2026, 11:00 AM |
| Processing Fee | ₹200 per challenge (non-refundable unless claim is upheld) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | July 15, 2026, up to 11:00 AM |
Candidates should note that no challenge will be entertained without the fee being paid within this window, and NTA has made it clear that submissions through any mode other than the official portal will not be accepted.
Join NEET News 2026 How to Access and Challenge Your OMR Sheet
NTA has outlined a step-by-step process for candidates who want to raise an objection. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
Step 1: Login and Verification
Candidates need to sign in on the official NEET website using their application number and password. To keep the process secure, NTA has added a Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) layer an OTP will be sent to the candidate’s registered mobile number and email, which must be entered before access is granted.
Step 2: Viewing the OMR Sheet
Once logged in, candidates should look for the option labelled “View/Challenge OMR Sheet & Recorded Responses.” This section displays a high-resolution scan of the submitted OMR sheet next to the data recorded by the scanning machine.
Step 3: Spotting and Flagging Errors
Candidates are expected to go through their responses question-wise. If the answer shown on the portal doesn’t match what was actually darkened on the sheet, they can select that question number and mark the option they claim to have chosen.
Step 4: Paying the Fee
Every individual objection whether it’s about a specific question’s response or a data field like Roll Number, Booklet Number, or Set Code attracts a separate fee of ₹200. The system automatically calculates the total amount based on how many challenges are raised, and payment can be made via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
Here’s the key point: this fee is refundable, but only if the candidate’s objection is later verified as correct and it’s established that the scanning agency made an error while reading the sheet.
Step 5: Final Submission
After successful payment, candidates must click “Submit Challenge.” NTA has specifically instructed candidates to download and print the acknowledgement page, which carries transaction details and a summary of all challenges raised this should be kept safely for future reference.
Rules Candidates Must Keep in Mind
NTA has issued a detailed set of instructions alongside the notice to guide candidates through the OMR challenge process. Some key points include:
- Only responses marked by fully darkening the circle with a blue or black ballpoint pen are treated as valid.
- Marking more than one option for a single question makes that response invalid and may attract negative marking as per the marking scheme.
- Once a response is marked, it cannot be altered any overwriting or modification attempt could affect how the OMR scanner reads it.
- Stray marks or unintended spots on the sheet may be misread by the scanner.
- The recorded response is based purely on what the scanner detects on the physical sheet.
- Candidates should compare the scanned image carefully with the displayed response before filing any objection.
Warning Against Tampering
NTA has taken a strict stance on the misuse of this facility. The notice warns that if any challenge is found to be based on a manipulated or tampered scanned image, it will be treated as a case of Unfair Means (UFM). Candidates found guilty could face debarment, and legal action may also follow as per applicable rules.
Where to Get More Information
For any doubts related to NEET UG 2026, candidates can reach out to NTA through the helpline numbers 011-40759000 or 011-69227700, or write to neetug2026@nta.ac.in. Candidates are also advised to keep checking the official websites nta.ac.in and neet.nta.nic.in for the latest updates on the process.
With the challenge window open only for a short span until July 15, candidates who spot any discrepancy in their recorded OMR response should log in and complete the process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
