The conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 examination in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, officially described as peaceful by authorities, has come under scrutiny following allegations made by a national-level topper.
Shambhavi Tewari, a CISCE Bio-Science topper from Sacred Heart Convent School, has raised concerns over disruptions during the examination, questioning the fairness of the process.
The matter has gained traction, with complaints reportedly escalated to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
According to family members of Tewari, the NEET examination centre at ABM College in Golmuri failed to adhere to NTA guidelines. They alleged that the exam environment was marked by disorder and inequality, causing mental stress and loss of valuable time for students.
Also read: Over 50,000 aspirants appearing for NEET-UG 2026 in J&K today
They further claimed that invigilators repeatedly disturbed candidates between 2 PM and 5 PM during the examination.
Shambhavi’s father, Rakesh Raman, also raised concerns, stating that despite clear guidelines, thumb impressions were taken multiple times during the exam and students were asked to sign at different intervals.
Additionally, admit cards and photographs were checked repeatedly, procedures that are typically meant to be completed before or after the examination. He said these interruptions adversely affected the exam atmosphere.
Family members claimed that nearly 15 to 20 minutes were lost due to these additional procedures, disrupting Shambhavi’s concentration and preventing her from attempting four questions she otherwise knew how to solve.
They also alleged that students were not allowed to carry water bottles despite permission for transparent bottles, and that adequate drinking water arrangements were lacking at the centre.
However, district administration officials denied the allegations. They stated that all procedures were carried out as per practical requirements. Also, the examination was conducted in a fair and orderly manner.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate over transparency and adherence to guidelines in the conduct of competitive examinations.
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