The National Testing Agency (NTA) has taken responsibility for the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) NEET-UG 2026, following allegations of a paper leak. Abhishek Singh, the Director General of NTA, announced on Tuesday that a schedule for the re-examination would be revealed within the next seven to ten days. The NEET-UG exam, initially held on May 3 for medical admissions, was cancelled amid these serious allegations of irregularities. The government has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that the agency aims to conduct the re-examination as quickly as possible to minimize disruption to the academic calendar and medical college admission schedules. Singh assured that no additional fees would be charged to candidates for the re-examination, and fees previously paid would be refunded.
“For the re-examination date, I will sit with my team and, in the next few days, announce the complete exam schedule and dates. Our effort will be to conduct the exam in the shortest possible time so that the academic calendar and admission schedule of medical colleges are not disrupted. The process will begin within the next seven to 10 days,” Singh stated. According to Singh, the entire paper was not leaked, but some questions circulating in PDF format before the examination matched the actual question paper, leading the agency to suggest cancellation (NTA DG Abhishek Singh said).
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has not yet commented on the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026. Singh described the situation as “distressing” and emphasized the necessity to end paper leaks immediately. He acknowledged the concerns of students, parents, and the entire academic community. According to Singh, over two lakh people were involved in the examination process. Adding, “This is distressing for everyone involved. We take responsibility for what has happened; it was wrong. We are cancelling it (NEET UG 2026) and preparing to conduct it again with the assurance that such incidents will not be repeated,” he said.
The NTA DG stated that the CBI will investigate the extent of the paper leak and appealed to the agency to apprehend and take strict action against the culprits. He clarified that the test conducted on May 3 had four different code versions and that no papers were found on the market, leading to the conclusion that no complete leak has been established. However, he admitted that some questions in the circulated PDF resembled questions from the exam paper. He stressed that even a single matching question compromises the integrity of the examination process, which the NTA takes very seriously and will take action accordingly (Singh added).
Singh also warned against attempts to mislead students or exploit the examination process, stating that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in such activities. He cited instances where individuals were soliciting OTPs under the guise of providing question papers and emptying bank accounts. He assured that action has been taken against such individuals and that the NTA has a clear policy against any irregularities in the examination process.
The NEET-UG 2026 was conducted on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. The NTA organized the examination for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates at centers throughout the country. The cancellation of the NEET-UG exam and the subsequent call for a re-examination have triggered widespread reactions. Students and parents are anxious about the delay and the potential impact on their academic futures. Medical college administrations are also closely monitoring the situation, as the admission schedule may face significant disruptions.
The decision to hand over the investigation to the CBI highlights the gravity of the situation and the government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in the examination process. It also underscores the challenges involved in conducting large-scale examinations and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the system. The NTA’s prompt response in cancelling the exam and announcing a re-examination indicates a proactive approach to address the concerns and restore confidence in the examination process. The agency’s commitment to refunding fees and conducting the re-examination without additional charges is likely to be welcomed by candidates.
As the CBI investigation progresses and the NTA prepares for the re-examination, stakeholders will be closely watching the developments. The outcome of the investigation and the successful conduct of the re-examination are crucial for ensuring the credibility of the NEET-UG and maintaining the standards of medical education in the country.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.