New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on May 3 and announced that the medical entrance test will be re-conducted on fresh dates to be notified later, following inputs received from central agencies and findings shared by law enforcement authorities regarding alleged irregularities and a possible paper leak.
In a statement issued in continuation of its earlier communication, the NTA said matters under examination had been referred to central agencies on May 8 for independent verification and necessary action as part of efforts to maintain the integrity of the national examination process.
The agency stated that information gathered in coordination with investigative agencies indicated that “the present examination process could not be allowed to stand”, leading to the decision to cancel the examination with the approval of the Central government.
The development triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties accusing the Centre of failing to protect the future of students appearing for one of India’s most competitive entrance examinations.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi termed the episode a “crime against the future of the youth” and alleged that the aspirations of more than 22 lakh students had been damaged by corruption and administrative failure.
“Some fathers took loans, some mothers sold their jewellery and lakhs of children stayed up all night studying. In return, they got paper leaks, government negligence, and organised corruption in education,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X.
He said students were repeatedly being forced to suffer because those responsible for paper leaks were not being held accountable. He also alleged that the education system loses credibility when money and influence begin to outweigh merit and hard work.
Manish Sisodia of the Aam Aadmi Party warned that continued examination irregularities could trigger a wider backlash among younger voters. Referring to recent youth-led protests in Nepal, Sisodia claimed the government risked facing similar public anger if action was not taken against the alleged paper leak networks.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the cancellation itself pointed to “large-scale irregularities” and accused the BJP government in Rajasthan of attempting to suppress information linked to the alleged leak.
M. K. Stalin also renewed his criticism of the NEET system, describing it as “a scam in itself” and reiterating his long-standing demand for scrapping the examination and restoring medical admissions based on Class 12 marks.
Meanwhile, the NTA said all registration details, candidature information and examination centres selected for the May 2026 cycle would remain valid for the re-conducted examination. Candidates will not be required to register again and no additional examination fee will be charged.
The agency also said fees already paid by candidates would be refunded and clarified that the fresh examination would be conducted using its internal resources.
The Centre has additionally handed over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. The NTA said it would fully cooperate with the probe by providing all required records and assistance.
“Further communications, including the re-conducted examination dates and the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be issued through the official channels of the Agency,” the statement said, while urging students and parents not to rely on unverified information circulating on social media.
