NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3 and announced that the medical entrance test will be conducted again on fresh dates to be notified separately. This comes after allegations of a large-scale “guess paper” leak pushed the exam into a nationwide controversy.The government has also ordered a comprehensive Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities surrounding the examination, which was attended by nearly 22.79 lakh students across India and abroad.In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken “in the interest of students” and to protect public trust in the national examination system.“On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately,” the agency said.The move comes days after investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that a question set described by officials as a “guess paper” had circulated among aspirants weeks before the exam and allegedly contained a large number of questions that closely matched the actual NEET paper.
How the controversy unfolded
The controversy began after inputs regarding suspected malpractice emerged from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand following the May 3 examination.According to investigators, a document containing around 410 questions had been circulating among students between 15 days and one month before the exam. Officials said nearly 120 questions from the Chemistry section allegedly matched the actual examination paper exactly.Authorities also claimed that the material had been shared through WhatsApp groups as little as 42 hours before the exam.The Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), which is leading the initial investigation, launched a probe after reports surfaced that the circulated material showed “striking similarities” to questions asked in the examination.SOG Additional Director General Vishal Bansal said investigators were examining whether the material was merely a test series or part of a larger organised cheating racket.“Our investigation is currently focused on determining whether any cheating or criminal activity has occurred based on this guess paper,” Bansal said.“We are actively examining this matter and are currently engaged in the investigative process. No, as of now, we have not made any arrests of any kind,” he added.Officials said searches and questioning were conducted in multiple locations, including Rajasthan’s coaching hub Sikar and Dehradun in Uttarakhand.Investigators are also examining videos and question sets linked to a coaching institute in Latur, Maharashtra, though local police said no formal investigation had begun there yet.
NTA cites law enforcement findings
The NTA said it initially escalated suspicious inputs to central agencies on May 8 for independent verification.“In continuation of its press release dated 10 May 2026, the National Testing Agency wishes to inform candidates, parents, and members of the public of the following decisions taken in respect of NEET (UG) 2026,” the agency said.“NTA had, on 8 May 2026, referred the matters then under consideration to the central agencies for independent verification and necessary action, consistent with its standing commitment to the fair, secure, and credible conduct of the national examinations entrusted to it.”The agency said the findings received from investigating agencies made it impossible to allow the existing examination process to continue.“The inputs received by NTA, taken together with the findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, established that the present examination process could not be allowed to stand,” the statement said.The NTA added that while the cancellation would cause “real and significant inconvenience” to students and families, preserving the integrity of the examination system was more important.“This decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests,” it said.“The Agency is conscious that re-conduct will cause real and significant inconvenience to candidates and their families. NTA does not take that consequence lightly. The decision has been taken because the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust.”
What happens next?
The NTA said the NEET-UG 2026 examination will now be conducted again using the agency’s internal resources.Fresh dates for the re-examination and revised admit cards will be announced separately through official channels.The agency clarified that students will not have to register again for the examination.“The registration data, candidature, and examination centres opted for in the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward to the re-conducted examination. No fresh registration will be required, and no additional examination fee will be levied,” the statement said.The NTA also announced that fees already paid by candidates would be refunded.Further details, including the revised examination schedule and admit card release dates, will be communicated later.Candidates and parents have been advised to rely only on official announcements and ignore unverified claims circulating on social media.The agency also released a helpline for students:neet-ug@nta.ac.in | 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
CBI probe ordered
Alongside the cancellation, the Centre has referred the matter to the CBI for a full-scale investigation.“The Government of India has further decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations therein,” the NTA said.“NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires.”The probe is expected to examine whether organised networks were involved in circulating leaked material before the examination and whether any officials, coaching centres or intermediaries played a role.Security measures under scrutinyThe controversy has also put the NTA’s examination security system under intense scrutiny.Earlier, the agency had defended the conduct of the May 3 exam, saying it was carried out under “full security protocol” across centres.According to the NTA, question papers were transported in GPS-tracked vehicles carrying unique watermark identifiers.Examination centres were monitored through AI-assisted CCTV systems connected to a central control room. Biometric verification was used for candidates and 5G jammers were deployed at centres to prevent electronic malpractice.“The examination on May 3, 2026 was conducted as scheduled and under a full security protocol,” the NTA had said earlier.Despite these measures, investigators are now examining how a question set with alleged overlaps reached students before the examination.
Political reactions and protests
The cancellation sparked protests by student groups and triggered political attacks on the government. Workers of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged protests outside Shastri Bhavan in Delhi after the cancellation announcement.Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi had earlier criticised the alleged paper leak, calling NEET an “auction”.“I heard the news about the NEET 2026 paper leak. It’s not an exam anymore–NEET is now an auction. Many questions were being sold on WhatsApp 42 hours before the exam,” Gandhi wrote on X.“Over 22 lakh children studied through sleepless nights all year, burning the midnight oil, and in one night, their future was openly auctioned off in the marketplace.”“This isn’t the first time. In 10 years, 89 paper leaks–48 re-exams. Every time, the same promises, and then the same silence,” he added.
