NEET MDS aspirants need answer keys and response sheets, MP tells Health Minister

Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas has written to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, raising concerns over the transparency of the NEET-MDS 2026 results. In a letter dated June 17, he asked the Health Ministry to direct the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to release National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Master of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) answer key and candidates' response sheets. He said these documents are necessary for candidates to verify their scores and understand how the results were prepared.

Addressing Nadda, the CPI(M) leader said he was writing to draw attention to the "serious concerns and widespread apprehensions" expressed by candidates following the declaration of the NEET-MDS 2026 results .The MP noted that the foremost concern among candidates was NBEMS' refusal to provide answer keys and individual answer sheets despite repeated requests from aspirants.

"In any large-scale national competitive examination, transparency is the bedrock of public confidence. When candidates are denied access to the very material necessary to verify their performance, doubts and suspicions inevitably arise regarding the fairness and accuracy of the evaluation process," Brittas wrote.

According to the letter, by not releasing answer keys, candidates have been made deprived of any meaningful opportunity to independently assess their scores. Brittas further alleged that candidates had been informed that NBEMS would neither disclose answer keys nor answer sheets and would not entertain requests for re-evaluation, rechecking or retotalling of answer sheets.

"Such a position effectively leaves thousands of candidates without any avenue whatsoever to verify the accuracy of their scores, challenge apparent discrepancies, or satisfy themselves that the evaluation process has been conducted correctly," he said.

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Questions over full marks

Another issue highlighted in the letter relates to questions reportedly found to be "technically incorrect" after the examination. Brittas said that while NBEMS has stated that full marks were awarded to all candidates for such questions irrespective of whether they attempted them, several details remain undisclosed.

"However, the authority has not disclosed the question numbers, the nature of the alleged defects, the expert findings on the basis of which such a conclusion was reached, or the precise impact of this exercise on the final scores and rankings," he wrote.

The MP noted that many candidates have claimed they were unable to identify any manifestly incorrect questions during the examination and were therefore unable to understand the basis on which such marks were awarded.

"In a highly competitive examination where even a marginal variation in marks can alter thousands of ranks, transparency regarding the questions granted full marks and the methodology adopted is indispensable," the letter stated.

He added that the continued refusal to disclose such information had only intensified concerns among aspirants. "A transparent and credible response from the authorities at this stage would reassure thousands of aspirants," Brittas said.

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Growing anxiety among candidates

The Rajya Sabha member said the lack of transparency had contributed to a growing perception among candidates that the examination process lacked the standards expected from a national-level entrance examination.

"This has led to a growing perception among many aspirants that the examination process lacks the transparency expected of a national entrance test that determines the future of thousands of dental graduates," the letter said.

Brittas also referred to numerous complaints and representations received from candidates alleging discrepancies between their expected performance and the results declared.

"Whether these concerns are ultimately found to be justified or not, the inability of candidates to verify their answers as well as the volume and intensity of complaints across the country have only deepened anxiety among aspirants and their families," he wrote.

Seeking immediate intervention from the Health Ministry, Brittas urged authorities to place crucial examination records in the public domain.

"I therefore earnestly request the Ministry to immediately examine the grievances raised by candidates and direct NBEMS to place in the public domain the answer key, individual response sheets, and a clear explanation of the evaluation methodology adopted for NEET-MDS 2026," he wrote. The MP also sought an independent review of the examination and result process.