NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled Due to Paper Leak; Re-exam to be Conducted

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was originally held on May 3, 2026. This decision comes in response to widespread allegations of a paper leak and other significant irregularities that compromised the integrity of the examination process. The cancellation has affected over 22 lakh students who appeared for the exam across India. The NTA's decision was based on inputs received and examined in coordination with central agencies, along with investigative findings shared by law enforcement agencies. The issue first gained prominence in Rajasthan, where the Special Operations Group (SOG) is investigating claims of a leaked question paper. Reports indicate that a handwritten "guess paper" had been circulating prior to the exam, with a significant number of questions, allegedly around 120 to 140, matching the actual NEET UG 2026 paper. Some reports suggest that questions covering up to 600 marks out of a total of 720 might have been accessible to certain candidates before the exam. The alleged question set was reportedly circulated among aspirants and coaching networks for several weeks before the examination, with prices ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 5 lakh. In response to the serious allegations, the Union Government has ordered a comprehensive inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the irregularities. The NTA has assured that the re-examination will be conducted, and new dates, along with revised admit cards, will be announced separately through official channels. Candidates will not be required to register again, and their existing application data, including examination centres and eligibility details, will remain valid for the re-conducted examination. No additional fees will be charged, and fees already paid by candidates will be refunded. The Nashik police have taken at least one accused into custody in connection with the paper leak. The accused, identified as Shubham Khairnar from Nashik's Nandgaon village, was apprehended after a request from Rajasthan Police and will be handed over to them. The investigation is ongoing to trace the entire chain of individuals involved in the circulation and distribution of the leaked material. The cancellation has sparked widespread student and political outrage across the country. Opposition parties have criticized the government and the NTA, demanding an overhaul of the examination system. The NTA chief has acknowledged the situation as "embarrassing" but reiterated the agency's commitment to conducting fair and transparent examinations. The NEET-UG is a crucial national-level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India, with over 22 lakh aspirants appearing for the exam annually. The exam was originally scheduled for May 3, 2026. The NTA has emphasized that the decision to cancel the exam was taken in the interest of students and to preserve trust in the national examination system. The future dates for the re-examination are yet to be announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest