The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination following allegations of a major paper leak. The entrance exam, which was conducted on May 3 and attended by more than 22 lakh students across the country, will now be held again from the beginning.
The decision came after reports of irregularities surfaced just days after the examination. The matter has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a detailed investigation into the alleged leak and possible involvement of organised networks.
Why NEET UG 2026 Was Cancelled
According to the NTA, the examination was cancelled after evidence shared by law enforcement agencies suggested that the integrity of the exam had been compromised.
The agency stated that allowing the existing examination results to stand could have damaged the credibility and fairness of one of India’s largest medical entrance examinations. As a result, the authorities decided that conducting a fresh examination was the only fair solution for all candidates.
The controversy reportedly began after officials received information regarding suspicious activities linked to the question paper shortly after the exam concluded.
What the CBI Investigation Will Focus On
The central government has assigned the case to the CBI to investigate how the alleged leaked paper reached candidates before the examination.
Reports suggest that the leaked material may have included all 90 Biology questions and all 45 Chemistry questions from the actual examination paper.
Investigators are expected to examine whether the incident involved an organised cheating network operating across multiple states.
The investigation will reportedly trace the suspected leak route beginning from a printing facility in Jaipur and extending to several locations, including:
- Sikar
- Jhunjhunu
- Nagaur
- Dehradun
- Jaipur
- Kerala
Authorities have already questioned around 15 individuals in connection with the case.
The NTA has assured full cooperation with the investigation and said that all technical records, documents, and related data will be provided to the agency.
Relief Measures Announced for Students
To reduce inconvenience for students, the NTA has announced several relief measures for candidates affected by the cancellation.
The agency clarified that students will not need to complete a fresh registration process. Existing application data will automatically remain valid for the re-examination.
The previously allotted examination centres will also continue for most candidates.
In addition:
- No additional application fee will be charged
- Any fee already collected will be refunded
- Fresh admit cards will be issued before the new examination date
The revised examination schedule is expected to be announced through official channels in the coming weeks.
NTA Appeals Students To Avoid Rumours
The NTA has advised students and parents not to rely on unverified information circulating on social media platforms.
Candidates have been asked to follow only official announcements for updates regarding the new exam date, admit cards, and examination guidelines.
The agency also encouraged students to continue their preparation while waiting for the revised schedule.
Uncertainty Among Lakhs of Medical Aspirants
The cancellation has created anxiety and uncertainty among lakhs of NEET aspirants and their families. For many students, the examination represents years of preparation and determines admission into medical colleges across India.
Despite the disruption, officials have maintained that protecting the fairness and transparency of the examination system is essential for safeguarding the future of deserving candidates.
Students are now waiting for the official announcement regarding the fresh NEET UG 2026 examination date and further instructions from the NTA.
