The Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear a plea challenging an OMR answer sheet in the NEET-UG 2026 examination after the petitioner's counsel warned that the National Testing Agency (NTA) could destroy the relevant records on Thursday, as the 90-day retention period is due to expire.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi agreed to list the matter on Thursday after hearing an urgent mentioning. The case will be heard by a bench headed by Justice PS Narasimha.
During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel told the court that the OMR sheet was under challenge and that the NTA was expected to destroy it the following day because the 90-day period would have elapsed.
CJI questions delay in approaching Supreme Court
The Chief Justice initially directed that the matter be listed on Friday. However, the petitioner's counsel pressed for an earlier hearing, arguing that waiting another day could jeopardise the preservation of the records.
The bench questioned whether the petitioner had approached the court belatedly, asking about the time elapsed between the examination and the filing of the plea.
In response, the counsel explained that the petitioner had pursued the matter through the appropriate legal channels, first approaching the High Court before moving the Supreme Court.
The counsel also informed the bench that the petitioner's intra-court appeal had been dismissed by a Division Bench of the Gujarat High Court on October 12.
NTA's 90-day retention period at the centre of urgency
During the exchange, Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned why the NTA would destroy the records on Thursday. The petitioner's counsel replied that the agency's regulations provide for the deletion of records after 90 days.
The counsel further submitted that the NEET-UG 2026 result was declared on July 16 and that Thursday would mark the 90th day since the declaration, making the matter urgent.
After considering the submissions, the bench agreed to list the plea on Thursday before Justice PS Narasimha's bench.