NEW DELHI: India’s most consequential medical entrance examination has been cancelled for the first time in its history. The National Testing Agency officially cancelled NEET UG 2026 taken by more than 22 lakh students on May 3, announcing that the examination will be held again from scratch with the Central Bureau of Investigation tasked with investigating the alleged paper leak that triggered the decision.
The cancellation announced at approximately 12.30 PM IST on May 12 came nine days after the exam was conducted. For 22.79 lakh students and their families who spent months preparing the decision ends one chapter and opens another of painful uncertainty.
What Happened
NEET UG 2026 was conducted on May 3 across 4,750 examination centres in 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. The exam appeared to proceed without incident on the day itself. A provisional answer key was released shortly after and students began calculating expected scores and ranks.
The trouble surfaced in Rajasthan. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group launched an investigation into paper leak allegations after the exam. Investigators found a handwritten suggestion paper whose questions matched the actual NEET paper approximately 90 Biology questions and 30 to 45 Chemistry questions with some reports placing the total match between 120 and 140 questions out of 200.
Critically investigators confirmed the paper was already circulating in Sikar on May 1 and May 2 two days before the examination was conducted. TheSOG traced the document to an MBBS student and coaching-linked networks rather than a printing facility as earlier alleged.
On May 8 NTA referred the matters then under consideration to central agencies for independent verification and necessary action. On May 10 NTA issued a press release acknowledging the Rajasthan SOG probe and stating it was aware of alleged irregularities. Four days of inter-agency examination followed. On May 12 at 12.30 PM the full cancellation was announced.
The official NTA statement read “On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies and the investigative findings shared by law enforcement agencies and in order to ensure transparency in the system the National Testing Agency with the approval of the Government of India has decided to cancel the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 2026 and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately.”
How the Leak Spread
The handwritten paper was recovered by the Rajasthan SOG in Sikar. Investigators have confirmed the alleged circulation of leaked material in Sikar, Jaipur and Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, Dehradun in Uttarakhand and Kerala through a student from Churu. Verification for additional locations is ongoing.
At least 13 individuals have been detained or arrested in connection with the alleged leak syndicate across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. The Rajasthan SOG continues its local investigation while the CBI takes over the national and inter-state conspiracy aspects. No re-examination date has been announced as of the time of writing. Educational analysts suggest late June or early July as the outer window if medical college admissions for the academic year beginning August 1 are to proceed without disruption.
What Happens to Students
NTA clarified that candidates will not have to register again for the NEET UG 2026 re-examination. Registration details and candidature will remain valid for the re-conducted examination. However NTA noted that new admit cards will be issued and new examination centres may be allotted for security reasons. Re-examination dates will be notified separately through NTA’s official website. No suo motu cognisance by the Supreme Court has been confirmed as of May 12 though multiple petitions are expected to be filed.
NEET UG is the sole gateway to approximately 1,08,000 to 1,10,000 MBBS seats across India according to Ministry of Health figures for 2025-26. Any delay beyond mid-July risks cascading disruption to medical college admissions and the academic calendar governed by National Medical Commission guidelines.
A Systemic Problem With a History
This is not the first time NTA’s examination security has failed. NEET UG 2024 faced massive allegations of paper leaks and irregular grace marks. Thirteen people were arrested in Bihar. The then NTA Director General Subodh Kumar Singh was removed in June 2024. The Supreme Court heard the matter in the case of Vanshi Yadav versus NTA. In its July 23 2024 ruling the court held that there was no systemic failure and refused to order a full re-examination a decision that now sits in uncomfortable contrast with the events of May 12 2026.
Following the 2024 controversy the Supreme Court ordered the constitution of a high-level committee the Radhakrishnan Committee to recommend reforms to NTA’s examination security framework. Enhanced security measures including GPS tracking and CCTV were implemented for the 2026 cycle. NEET UG 2025 proceeded without major national-level disruption. NEET UG 2026 has now become the first examination in NEET’s history to be cancelled in its entirety after being conducted.
What the CBI Investigation Will Focus On
The CBI’s mandate covers three core questions. First how did the handwritten paper reach students in multiple states two days before the examination. Second whether this was an organised criminal network with inside access to the examination supply chain and if so at what point the breach occurred. Third how many students received the leaked material and whether the integrity of the full examination is compromised.
The NTA has pledged full cooperation including all materials records and technical assistance. Whether the Radhakrishnan Committee’s recommendations were implemented in full before the 2026 cycle and if not why will be a central question for both the CBI and any subsequent judicial scrutiny.
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