The controversy surrounding NEET UG 2026 has taken a new turn after allegations surfaced that a group of brokers was offering admission to government medical colleges by manipulating candidates’ OMR answer sheets for a hefty payment. The claims come at a time when the medical entrance examination is already under intense scrutiny following the paper leak row and the subsequent decision to conduct a re-examination.

According to reports, a candidate from Gujarat approached authorities after allegedly being contacted by intermediaries who claimed they could secure enough marks for admission to a government medical college by tampering with OMR sheets. The alleged demand was around Rs. 20 lakh per candidate.

Alleged racket avoided promises of top ranks

The complainant claimed that the brokers did not offer unrealistically high scores or top ranks. Instead, they allegedly promised to increase marks only to the extent required for securing admission to a government medical college, a strategy reportedly designed to avoid raising suspicion during scrutiny.

The matter has reportedly been brought to the attention of the Gujarat Cyber Crime Cell through a written complaint, prompting calls for a detailed investigation into the claims.

OMR manipulation concerns have surfaced before

The allegations have renewed concerns about the security of OMR-based examinations. In recent years, courts and investigating agencies have examined multiple cases involving alleged OMR manipulation linked to medical entrance examinations. The Gujarat High Court recently observed that allegations in a NEET-UG 2024 OMR manipulation case warranted a full trial after investigators claimed students’ answer sheets were altered to inflate scores.

Authorities have also previously received complaints from candidates alleging discrepancies in uploaded OMR sheets, though such claims have been disputed by examination authorities in several instances.

NEET UG 2026 already facing scrutiny

The latest allegations come against the backdrop of the wider NEET UG 2026 controversy. The examination conducted on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak, and a fresh examination has been scheduled for June 21. Multiple investigations are underway, while courts and parliamentary bodies are also examining issues related to the conduct of the exam.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed the OMR manipulation allegations, and investigations are expected to determine whether any such network was actually capable of influencing examination outcomes.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday confirmed the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala, officially marking the beginning of the country’s annual four-month rainy season.

The monsoon arrived on June 4, around three days later than its normal onset date of June 1. Weather officials said the seasonal rains have covered Kerala and extended into parts of Tamil Nadu, bringing widespread rainfall to several areas.

According to the IMD, conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to advance further into additional parts of southern India over the next few days. The progression of the monsoon is closely watched as it plays a critical role in supporting agriculture, replenishing reservoirs and meeting the country’s water requirements.

Heavy rainfall forecast for Kerala

Several districts in Kerala are expected to receive heavy rainfall as the monsoon strengthens over the region. Weather authorities have issued alerts in parts of the state and advised residents to remain cautious in areas vulnerable to waterlogging and localised flooding.

The arrival of the southwest monsoon is considered one of the most important weather events in India, as it delivers nearly 70 per cent of the country’s annual rainfall. A large section of the agricultural sector depends on timely and adequate monsoon rains for crop cultivation.

Monsoon advance to be monitored closely

While the monsoon has made its official entry into the country through Kerala, meteorologists will continue monitoring its pace and distribution across different regions in the coming weeks.

The IMD has indicated that the monsoon is expected to advance gradually across the Indian mainland, bringing rainfall to more states as the season progresses.

Rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds lashed parts of Delhi-NCR, bringing relief from the intense summer heat, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the next two days. The weather department has forecast more showers, thunderstorms and strong winds across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad.

According to IMD, cloudy skies, light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds may occur at several locations in Delhi-NCR. Wind speeds could reach 40-50 kmph and may gust up to 60 kmph during thunderstorm activity.

The weather department has advised residents to remain cautious during periods of strong winds and lightning. The expected rainfall is likely to keep temperatures lower than usual for early June, extending the relief from intense heat that the region witnessed in recent weeks.

Rain activity likely across NCR cities

The forecast indicates that Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad are also expected to receive spells of rain accompanied by thunderstorms over the coming days. Similar weather conditions have been predicted across much of the NCR region as atmospheric instability continues to influence northwestern India.

Recent spells of rain and dust storms have already brought down temperatures across Delhi-NCR, with weather officials predicting additional showers before conditions gradually improve later in the week.

Residents have been advised to monitor weather updates and avoid open areas during thunderstorms and lightning activity. Authorities also caution that strong winds may affect traffic movement and outdoor activities in some areas.