Madras High Court directs NTA to drop police-report requirement for duplicate NEET scorecards and allow additional document uploads till October 21

The petitioner completed her Class XII examination in 2020 and appeared for NEET-UG 2020 and 2021. She subsequently pursued and completed an MBBS course at Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia, in 2026.

To apply for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), she was required to produce her NEET-UG scorecard, but her NEET-UG 2020 scorecard, relating to Roll No. 4112015027 and Application No. 200410229482, was unavailable through the online portal.

She therefore sought a duplicate scorecard or certified NEET-UG examination details from the concerned authorities and filed a representation dated 1 June 2026.

During the proceedings, the respondents relied on an official memorandum dated 17 September 2026 prescribing the procedure for obtaining duplicate NEET scorecards, including the requirement under Clause 5.1(c) to submit police or equivalent loss/theft documentation.

1. Whether the petitioner could be permitted to obtain a duplicate NEET-UG 2020 scorecard or certified examination details for the purpose of applying for the FMGE.

2. Whether the requirement under Clause 5.1(c) of the official memorandum dated 17 September 2026—requiring a police report or equivalent documentation concerning loss or theft of the scorecard—should be dispensed with for candidates, including those residing or studying abroad.

3. Whether the respondents should permit applicants to correct their FMGE applications and upload additional documents through the online portal until 21 October 2026, notwithstanding the stated application deadline of 25 September 2026.

The Court exercised its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue appropriate directions to public authorities where an administrative requirement impeded access to an examination-related process.

It applied the administrative-law principle that procedural requirements must be reasonable, practical, and capable of compliance, particularly where their rigid enforcement may prejudice eligible candidates.

The Court also relied on the official memorandum dated 17 September 2026 governing issuance of duplicate NEET scorecards, while holding that Clause 5.1(c) should not be insisted upon where candidates, especially those who lost documents abroad, would face genuine difficulty in obtaining police or equivalent reports.

The Court accepted that the respondents maintained the relevant NEET-UG records and had created an online mechanism for issuing duplicate scorecards.

However, it found that the requirement of producing an FIR, Daily Diary Report, non-cognizable report, last article report, or Indian Embassy/Consulate attestation could be unduly burdensome for students studying or residing abroad.

Since the petitioner’s inability to produce the original scorecard could affect her opportunity to apply for the FMGE, the Court directed that Clause 5.1(c) not be enforced, while retaining the requirement to submit all other prescribed documents.

The Court further resolved the uncertainty regarding the portal by recording the respondents’ undertaking that applicants could upload additional documents, as well as make corrections, until 21 October 2026.

The Court directed the concerned respondent to dispense with Clause 5.1(c) of the official memorandum dated 17 September 2026 and to process applications for duplicate NEET scorecards upon submission of the remaining prescribed documents, within 15 days of receipt of the online application.

It further directed the respondents to keep the online portal open for corrections and uploading additional documents until 21 October 2026, notwithstanding the 25 September 2026 application deadline for the FMGE.