New Delhi: In a major setback for millions of medical aspirants across India, the National Testing Agency on Monday cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination following serious allegations of a question paper leak and large scale irregularities linked to the conduct of the test.
The decision has affected more than 22 lakh students who appeared for the country’s biggest medical entrance examination on May 3. The cancellation came after growing pressure from students, parents, education groups, and political leaders demanding a transparent investigation into the alleged malpractice.
The National Testing Agency, commonly known as the NTA, announced that fresh dates for the examination will be released separately. Officials confirmed that students will not need to register again and no extra examination fee will be charged for the re examination.
The controversy surrounding NEET UG 2026 began shortly after the test was conducted. Reports emerged from several states claiming that certain “guess papers” distributed before the examination contained questions that closely matched the actual exam paper. Investigators later found that more than 100 questions allegedly matched the original test paper, raising fears that the examination process had been compromised.
Initial investigations reportedly began in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, where authorities uncovered suspicious activities connected to the exam. As complaints increased across the country, the matter was referred to central agencies for further inquiry.
The Government of India has now ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the case. Officials said the decision to cancel the examination was taken to protect the credibility and fairness of the medical admission process.
Students across India reacted with shock and disappointment after the announcement. Many aspirants had spent years preparing for the highly competitive examination, often attending coaching classes and following strict study schedules. Several students expressed frustration over the uncertainty and emotional stress caused by the cancellation.
In Delhi and a few other cities, groups of students gathered to protest and demand strict action against those responsible for the alleged leak. Some students said they feared that repeated exam controversies were damaging the future of hardworking candidates who prepare honestly for national level examinations.
Education experts say the incident has once again exposed serious weaknesses in the security systems used for conducting major entrance examinations in India. In recent years, several competitive exams across different states have faced allegations related to paper leaks, cheating, technical failures, and administrative lapses.
The NTA stated that maintaining the integrity of the examination was its top priority and assured students that a fresh examination would be conducted in a fair and secure manner. Authorities also urged candidates not to believe rumours or misinformation circulating on social media platforms and advised them to follow only official announcements.
NEET UG serves as the single entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related programmes across India. The examination has become one of the most competitive tests in the country, with lakhs of students competing every year for limited seats in government and private medical colleges.
The cancellation of the exam is expected to delay the medical admission process for the academic year. Coaching institutes and education experts believe students may now face additional mental pressure as they prepare once again for the re examination.
Meanwhile, the CBI investigation is expected to focus on how the alleged leak network operated, who was involved in circulating the question papers, and whether organised groups benefited financially from the malpractice.
Education authorities are likely to announce the revised examination schedule in the coming days as students and parents wait anxiously for clarity about the future of the medical entrance process.