NEET UG 2026 Cancelled Over Alleged Paper Leak
NTA announces re-examination after law enforcement findings raise concerns over exam integrity
- NTA cancels NEET UG 2026 conducted on May 3
- Decision follows allegations of question paper leak
- CBI to investigate examination irregularities
- Fresh exam dates and admit card schedule to be announced
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 12th May: The National Testing Agency on Tuesday cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination following allegations that the question paper had been leaked before the May 3 test.
The agency said the undergraduate medical entrance examination would now be conducted again on fresh dates, which will be announced separately.
NEET UG serves as the qualifying examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses across India and is taken by lakhs of students every year.
In an official statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India to maintain transparency and preserve public trust in the examination system.
“On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by the National Testing Agency and investigative findings shared by law enforcement agencies, the NTA, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on May 3,” the agency said.
The NTA said its review concluded that the examination process “could not be allowed to stand” following the findings received from investigative agencies.
The Centre has decided to hand over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for further investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The agency said it would fully cooperate with the probe and provide all necessary records and assistance.
The NTA added that it had earlier referred the matter to central agencies on May 8 for independent verification and further action regarding the secure conduct of national examinations.
The cancellation triggered protests by student organisations in different parts of the country.
Members of the National Students’ Union of India staged a protest near Shastri Bhawan in central Delhi, demanding accountability and transparency in the examination process.
Students and parents expressed concern over the uncertainty caused by the cancellation and the need to prepare again for the highly competitive examination.
The NTA acknowledged that reconducting the examination would cause inconvenience but said the step was necessary to protect the credibility and integrity of the national examination system.
The agency clarified that registration data, candidature details and examination centres selected by candidates for the May 2026 cycle would remain valid for the re-examination.
No fresh registration will be required and candidates will not have to pay any additional examination fee.
The NTA also said examination fees already paid by candidates would be refunded while the reconducted test would be organised using the agency’s internal resources.
Candidates and parents were advised to rely only on official announcements regarding fresh examination dates and admit cards and ignore unverified information circulating on social media.
