Dropped questions in NEET UG 2026 are those that the National Testing Agency may cancel after reviewing objections to the provisional answer key.
In such cases, full marks (+4) are awarded to all candidates, which can slightly increase the effective total score beyond 720 marks, as seen in previous years.
- A dropped question in NEET means NTA has either found the question to be erroneous, ambiguous, or having multiple correct answers after expert review.
- When a question is dropped, all candidates who appeared in that exam get +4 marks for that question, regardless of whether they attempted it or left it blank.
- In NEET 2025, NTA dropped questions across certain paper codes as many as full marks were awarded to candidates of specific question sets.
- Dropped questions are identified only after NTA releases the provisional answer key and reviews candidate objections — not on exam day itself.
- The official NEET UG 2026 provisional answer key is expected in late May 2026 and any dropped questions will be announced along with the revised answer key.
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What Happens When a Question is Dropped in NEET?
- When NTA drops a question in NEET UG, it follows a specific protocol.
- All candidates who appeared in the relevant paper set receive full marks (+4) for that question, regardless of what they marked or whether they skipped it.
Check: NEET Answer Key 2026: Check Code-Wise PDF, Release Date, Result & Response Sheet
Ques. What is a dropped question in NEET UG 2026?
Ans. A dropped question in NEET UG 2026 is a question that NTA cancels after reviewing candidate objections against the provisional answer key. The question is removed from scoring and all candidates who appeared for the exam receive full marks (+4) for that question, regardless of whether they attempted it, marked wrong, or left it blank.
Ques. Can dropped questions push NEET 2026 score above 720?
Ans. Yes, if questions are dropped in NEET 2026, candidates will receive +4 marks per dropped question. This means a candidate who scored 720/720 could effectively receive 724+ marks if one question is dropped. In NEET 2025, some candidates received scores above 720 due to dropped question bonuses.
NEET Dropped Questions History: 2022 – 2025
- NTA has dropped or awarded grace marks to candidates in NEET UG multiple times in recent years.
- The 2024 controversy was the most significant, where paper leak allegations and marking discrepancies led to a Supreme Court inquiry and policy changes.
| Year | Questions Dropped / Grace Marks | Impact | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Multiple questions dropped (paper code-specific) | +4 per dropped question to affected candidates | Erroneous / ambiguous questions post-objection review |
| 2024 | Grace marks controversy — 1,563 students got 720+ initially | Re-test ordered for some; Supreme Court intervention | Paper leak, lost exam time at some centres |
| 2023 | Minimal drops — 1–2 questions in specific codes | Minor score boost for affected candidates | Ambiguous questions identified post-objection |
| 2022 | Few questions dropped across paper sets | +4 awarded to all appearing candidates | Expert committee review post-objection window |
NEET Question Paper 2026 PDF Download
You can use the NEET 2026 unofficial answer key to estimate your score and get an idea of your expected rank.
Ques. How many questions were dropped in NEET 2025?
Ans. In NEET UG 2025, NTA dropped or revised answers for multiple questions after reviewing candidate objections during the answer key challenge window. The exact number was confirmed in the final answer key release. Candidates in specific question sets received +4 marks per dropped question added to their total score.
How to Raise Objection Against NEET 2026 Answer Key
- Candidates who find any question in NEET UG 2026 incorrect or having multiple correct answers can raise objections after the provisional answer key is released by the National Testing Agency.
- This is the only official way to report such issues and get them reviewed for possible dropped questions.
| Step | Process |
|---|---|
| 1 | Wait for NTA to release the Provisional Answer Key on neet.nta.nic.in (expected late May 2026) |
| 2 | Log in with your Application Number and Date of Birth |
| 3 | Click on "Challenge Answer Key" option |
| 4 | Select the specific Question ID you want to challenge |
| 5 | Pay the objection fee (typically Rs 200 per question) — refundable if objection is accepted |
| 6 | Upload supporting proof — NCERT page screenshot, reference book page, or credible source |
| 7 | Submit before the objection window closes (usually 2–3 days) |
Check: How to predict your NEET 2026 score using memory-based questions
Ques. Is the NEET answer key objection fee refundable in 2026?
Ans. Yes , the NEET UG answer key objection fee (typically Rs 200 per question) is refundable if the objection is accepted by NTA's expert committee and the answer is revised or the question is dropped. If the objection is rejected, the fee is forfeited. Candidates should only raise objections with strong supporting evidence from credible sources.
NEET UG 2026 Marks vs Rank Official PDFs: Last 3 Years
Candidates can refer to the official NEET UG marks vs rank data from previous years below:
| Year | Document | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | NEET UG 2025 Final Answer Key & Rank List | View on Official Site |
| 2024 | NEET UG 2024 Marks vs Rank Data (Official) | View on Official Site |
| 2023 | NEET UG 2023 Rank List PDF | View on Official Site |
Note: PDFs are published by National Testing Agency (NTA). Links are updated as official documents are released.
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