NTA under fire as NIFT 2026 result discrepancies spark outrage over fairness and transparency

The National Testing Agency (National Testing Agency) is facing fresh criticism after candidates alleged widespread irregularities in the NIFT 2026 results, deepening concerns over the credibility of India’s national entrance examinations.

Soon after the National Institute of Fashion Technology (National Institute of Fashion Technology) declared its final results on June 3, several aspirants reported serious inconsistencies. Complaints include mismatched scores in the Creative Ability Test (CAT) and General Ability Test (GAT), incorrect attendance marking, and alleged lapses in biometric verification during the admission process.

Some candidates claimed they were marked absent despite appearing for exams, while others said they unexpectedly received marks even though they did not take the Stage 2 Situation Test. The absence of a publicly released answer key for the creative section has further fuelled accusations of limited transparency.

Social media platforms, including Reddit and X, have amplified the controversy, with screenshots and posts highlighting what students describe as “impossible score patterns.” The viral nature of these claims has intensified public scrutiny of the evaluation process and raised questions about the reliability of attendance tracking systems.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the NTA, which has already been under pressure following earlier allegations related to the NEET-UG examination cycle. Critics argue that repeated concerns across different national-level tests point to deeper systemic issues rather than isolated errors.

In response, senior NTA officials have maintained that the number of formal grievances remains limited. According to officials, only around 15 of nearly 12,000 candidates have directly approached the agency, and most issues have reportedly been resolved. However, students contest this claim, stating that many complaints sent via email and helplines remain unanswered.

Candidates and coaching experts also highlight structural gaps, including the lack of re-evaluation mechanisms and limited transparency in scoring for creative assessments. These limitations, they argue, make it difficult for aspirants to independently verify their results.

The NIFT admission process, which includes multiple stages such as GAT, CAT, and the Situation Test, concluded its Stage 2 evaluation for over 10,000 candidates before the June 3 results were released.

As allegations continue to circulate online, calls for an independent audit of the evaluation and attendance systems are growing louder, putting renewed pressure on exam authorities to restore trust in the national testing framework.