Delhi High Court Orders Quick Release of NEET-UG 2026 Results Amid Allegations

In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has instructed the National Testing Agency to release the NEET-UG 2026 results for two candidates whose results were withheld due to allegations of a question paper leak. The court emphasized that the candidates had not been named as accused in the CBI's chargesheet and should not be penalized based on unproven allegations. This decision allows the candidates to participate in the ongoing counselling process, highlighting the importance of fair treatment in academic assessments. The court's order mandates the results be declared within 24 hours, ensuring that the candidates can continue their educational journey without undue hindrance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 3, 2026, 17:38 IST

Court Ruling on NEET-UG 2026 Results

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has instructed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to announce the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination results for two candidates within 24 hours. Their results were previously withheld due to allegations related to a question paper leak, despite the fact that they were not named as accused in the CBI's chargesheet.

Justice Jasmeet Singh, presiding over a single-judge bench, emphasized that the candidates should not be considered guilty of any criminal activity, as the chargesheet from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has yet to be legally validated. The court stated, “At this stage, therefore, the petitioners cannot be treated as persons against whom criminal culpability has been established or as having been found guilty of any illegality.”

The case arose from a petition filed by Aditya Vinod Swami and another individual, who sought the release of their NEET-UG 2026 (Re-NEET) results and permission to engage in the ongoing counselling process.

Initially, the petitioners took the NEET-UG 2026 exam on May 3, which was later canceled due to allegations of a question paper leak. They subsequently participated in the Re-NEET examination.

The CBI's investigation into the alleged leak concluded with a chargesheet that identified the two petitioners as witnesses rather than as accused individuals.

Following this, the NTA issued show-cause notices to the petitioners on July 5 and withheld their Re-NEET results.

During the court proceedings, the NTA's counsel explained that the results were withheld based on information from the CBI, which suggested that several candidates had allegedly received or shared the May 3 question paper. However, the CBI argued that the petitioners had indeed received the question paper and possessed the intent to commit the alleged wrongdoing.

The CBI also claimed that the petitioners had paid money to obtain the question paper, but it chose not to charge them as accused, instead listing them as witnesses in the chargesheet.

The Delhi High Court countered that the allegations in the chargesheet remain unproven. The court noted, “The charge-sheet filed by the CBI is yet to be tested in accordance with law, and the allegations contained therein would necessarily have to be established by leading appropriate evidence.”

The court highlighted that the petitioners are at a critical juncture in their academic journeys and that withholding their results based solely on unverified allegations could cause them significant harm.

The court concluded that the petitioners should be allowed to know their results and, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings, participate in further counselling rounds conducted by the NTA.

The ruling also stated that denying them the chance to participate in counselling could lead to consequences that might not be rectifiable later.

Consequently, the Delhi High Court mandated that the NTA release the petitioners' results within 24 hours of the order's issuance and allow them to take part in subsequent counselling rounds, provided they meet the necessary eligibility criteria.

Additionally, the court permitted those petitioners whose counselling results are still pending to apply offline.

The Delhi High Court clarified that this order does not inhibit authorities from taking legal action against the petitioners if necessary. After addressing the interlocutory application, Justice Singh scheduled the main petition for a hearing on January 8, 2027.