JEE Mains 2026: Cheating cases surge; 68 results withheld despite biometric, e-KYC measures

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has withheld the JEE Mains session 1 results of 68 candidates for using unfair means. The number of cheating cases in JEE Main 2026 session 1 saw a sharp rise compared to last year, when the results of 39 candidates were withheld for similar violations. JEE Mains 2026 Result (OUT) LIVE

The results were withheld as the defaulters were involved in unfair practices and discrepancies during the identity verification. However, the NTA did not specify the number of impersonators in this year’s exam.

The increase in cheating cases comes despite the NTA introducing stricter verification measures this year. For the first time, OTP-based Aadhaar e-KYC was implemented as the primary authentication method during the registration to curb impersonation. In addition to biometric attendance, candidates had to undergo frisking at entry, and again after bio-breaks.

As per the NTA rules, those found guilty can be debarred from appearing in future exam for up to three years and may face criminal proceedings.

JEE Mains Result 2026: Highlights

After delaying the JEE Main session 1 results for a few days, the NTA uploaded the scorecards of over 13.04 lakh candidates who appeared in the exam from January 21 to 29 for BE, BTech paper 1.

Out of the total registered candidates, the highest of 5,17,336 OBC-NCL (central list) candidates appeared, followed by 4,52,825 general category candidates. As per the JEE Main toppers list 2026, a total of 12 male candidates obtained a perfect score, with the highest number of three toppers from Rajasthan.

Notably, 11 out of 12 toppers belong to the general category, and only one from OBC-NCL. Ashi Grewal from Haryana, with NTA score of 99.9969766, was announced as the female toppers for JEE Main session 1 exam 2026.