NEET-UG 2026 Exam Cancelled; CBI to Probe Paper Leak Allegations

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET-UG 2026, India's crucial entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical programs, has been officially cancelled by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The exam, which saw approximately 24 lakh candidates appear on May 3, 2026, was annulled on May 12, 2026, following mounting allegations of paper leaks and irregularities that compromised the integrity of the examination process. The decision to cancel the exam was made by the NTA with the approval of the Government of India, based on investigative inputs received from central agencies and law enforcement authorities. The NTA stated that the cancellation was necessary to ensure transparency in the system and uphold the trust placed in the national examination framework. In a significant development, the Union Government has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to launch a comprehensive inquiry into the paper leak allegations. This move underscores the seriousness with which the government is addressing the integrity issues surrounding the high-stakes examination. The NTA has pledged its full cooperation with the CBI, providing all necessary records and assistance for the investigation. The controversy intensified after reports emerged from Rajasthan, where a Special Operations Group (SOG) began investigating claims that a 'guess paper' circulating before the exam in Sikar closely matched a significant number of actual questions. Some reports suggested that as many as 140 questions, accounting for nearly 600 out of 720 marks, overlapped with the leaked material. This is not the first instance of NEET-UG facing scrutiny over alleged malpractices. The NEET-UG 2024 examination was also marred by controversies, including allegations of paper leaks in Jharkhand and the awarding of 'grace marks' to 1,563 candidates due to time loss. While the Supreme Court in 2024 had refused to cancel the entire NEET-UG 2024 exam, ruling that the leak was not 'systemic' or widespread enough to tamper with the 'integrity' of the exam beyond isolated incidents, it did order a re-test for the grace-mark recipients. The CBI had also investigated the 2024 leak, leading to several arrests and charge sheets, and concluded that the paper was leaked at a local level in Jharkhand. The current cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, however, marks the first time the NTA has annulled the entire examination since its inception, reflecting the gravity of the latest allegations. The decision has triggered widespread protests across India, with student organizations and political leaders expressing outrage and demanding accountability. The NSUI (National Students' Union of India) and other student bodies have organized demonstrations, with many students being detained. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have criticized the government, stating that such incidents threaten the dreams of India's youth. The Aam Aadmi Party's national convener, Arvind Kejriwal, also remarked that affected students might need to resort to mass protests to be heard by the government. For the affected students, the NTA has clarified that a fresh examination will be conducted, and they will not be required to re-register. All existing candidature details and exam centre preferences submitted for the May 3, 2026, exam will remain valid for the re-conducted test, and no additional fees will be charged. The dates for the re-examination will be announced separately through official NTA channels. The cancellation and subsequent CBI probe highlight persistent concerns about the fairness and security of high-stakes competitive examinations in India, a matter of significant public interest given the large number of aspirants involved and the impact on their academic and career futures.

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