NEET PG answer keys out, but candidates call it ‘eyewash’; here is why

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) recently released the answer keys for NEET PG 2026, which took place on August 30 and September 5. Initially, candidates were pleased with the move towards transparency; however, their enthusiasm soon turned to skepticism upon closer examination of the released answer keys.

The NBEMS provided candidates with section-wise question IDs and their corresponding answer keys, but omitted the actual questions and correct answers. Candidates found this approach to be "eyewash" and "merely a formality," arguing that only displaying question IDs did little to clarify the evaluation process and potentially added to confusion.

One 30-year-old aspirant from Jaipur, who had previously worked as a junior resident at Guru Nanak Eye Centre, expressed his hope that the answer keys would help understand where he lost marks, allowing him to prepare better for subsequent rounds. However, his hopes were not met as the available answer key details were insufficient for independent verification.

The sequence of questions within a section was shuffled during the actual exam, making it impossible for candidates to associate question IDs with their respective actual questions and answers. This lack of transparency left many candidates questioning the true intent behind the answer key release.

The NBEMS had announced its compliance with the Supreme Court's April 29, 2025, order to make raw scores, answer keys, and normalization details publicly available for transparency. However, this move did not satisfy candidates, as it failed to provide the complete question papers and correct answers. Other nationally organized public entrance exams, such as CUET UG and PG, NEET UG, JEE Mains, and Advanced, provide full transparency by making question papers and answers accessible to candidates. Critics argue that NEET PG should also adhere to the same level of transparency.

Dr. Dhruv Chauhan, the national spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association's Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) and founder of the Legal Cell for All India Doctors, has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court challenging the NEET PG 2026 answer keys. He urges greater transparency in the evaluation process, demanding the complete question paper, correct answers, and the specific options marked by candidates.

Dr. Chauhan believes that this challenge seeks to benefit all medical students and calls for a time-bound objection window to address any discrepancies. The court's direction on this matter will be crucial for candidates awaiting clarity on whether they will receive the full question papers and answer details before the counselling process begins.