NEET UG 2026 Exam Cancelled After Paper Leak Allegations: 22.79 Lakh Candidates Affected, Re-Test Dates Soon

In a significant development affecting approximately 22.79 lakh medical aspirants across the country, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 examination that was conducted on May 3, 2026. The decision, announced on May 12, 2026, follows allegations of a major paper leak and other irregularities that have compromised the integrity of one of the world’s largest undergraduate entrance examinations.

The NTA confirmed that the examination will be re-conducted on dates to be notified shortly, with no fresh registration or additional fee required from candidates. The Government of India has referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive probe into the alleged irregularities.

NEET UG 2026

Why Was NEET UG 2026 Cancelled?

The decision to cancel the examination came after the NTA received inputs regarding alleged malpractice, which were subsequently examined in coordination with central agencies and law enforcement authorities. The investigative findings established that the “present examination process could not be allowed to stand”.

The investigation was triggered by a breakthrough from Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG), which uncovered a PDF file of approximately 150 pages circulating on students’ phones. This document contained over 400 questions, out of which roughly 120 are said to have matched questions that appeared in the actual Chemistry section of the May 3 paper. According to SOG’s ADGP Vishal Bansal, the document was already in circulation as far back as a month before the examination.

The NTA had earlier claimed that the examination was conducted under enhanced security protocols, with question papers transported in GPS-tracked vehicles carrying unique, traceable watermark identifiers, and examination halls monitored through AI-assisted CCTV surveillance from a central control room. However, the investigation forced the agency to concede that the security measures were insufficient to prevent the compromise.

Timeline of Key Events

NTA’s Official Statement

In an official press release, the NTA stated: *“On the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies and in order to ensure that there is transparency in the system, 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 acknowledged that the re-conduct of the examination would cause significant inconvenience to candidates and their families. However, it maintained that the decision was necessary because the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to public trust in the national examination system.

What Happens Next? Key Instructions for Candidates

The NTA has issued clear guidelines regarding the next steps for affected candidates:

• No Fresh Registration Required: Candidates do not need to register again. All registration data, candidature information, and examination centres selected for the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward automatically to the re-conducted examination.

• No Additional Fee: Candidates will not be required to pay any additional examination fee. The fees already paid will be refunded, and the NTA will use its internal resources to fund the new examination cycle.

• Re-examination Dates: The dates for the re-conducted examination, along with the revised admit card schedule, will be communicated through official NTA channels in the coming days.

• CBI Investigation: The Central Bureau of Investigation has been directed to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations. The NTA has pledged full cooperation and will provide all materials, records, and assistance required for the investigation.

Political and Student Reactions

The cancellation has triggered widespread outrage across the country, with opposition parties and student organisations demanding accountability from the government and the NTA. Kerala’s General Education Minister V. Sivankutty accused the central government agencies of “grave negligence and lack of vigilance” in conducting the examination.

In Maharashtra’s Nashik district, police have taken an accused individual into custody in connection with the paper leak. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Kiran Kumar Chavan, the accused had changed his appearance in an attempt to evade arrest but was eventually tracked down and apprehended using technical evidence and surveillance.

Context: A History of Examination Controversies

This is not the first time NEET has been at the centre of a major controversy. The 2024 edition of the examination was also mired in allegations of paper leaks and grace marks, triggering nationwide protests and a Supreme Court hearing. At that time, the Supreme Court had refused to cancel the entire exam, stating there was no evidence of a “systemic” leak that would justify penalizing all candidates.

The recurring nature of such controversies has raised serious questions about the examination security protocols of the NTA and the accountability mechanisms governing the conduct of high-stakes national-level entrance tests.

Official Helpline and Communication

Candidates seeking clarification or assistance can contact the NTA helpline:

Candidates are strongly advised to disregard unverified social media reports and rely strictly on official communications from the NTA regarding the re-examination schedule and related updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why was the NEET UG 2026 examination cancelled?
The examination was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak and examination irregularities. A PDF file containing questions matching the actual Chemistry paper was found circulating on students’ phones, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the examination process. The Government of India has ordered a CBI inquiry into the matter.

Q2. How many candidates are affected by this cancellation?
Approximately 22.79 lakh candidates who registered for the NEET UG 2026 examination are affected by this cancellation.

Q3. Will candidates need to register again for the re-conducted exam?
No. The NTA has confirmed that no fresh registration will be required. All registration data, candidature information, and chosen examination centres from the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward to the re-conducted examination.

Q4. Will candidates have to pay the examination fee again?
No additional examination fee will be levied. The fees already paid will be refunded, and the NTA will use its internal resources to fund the new examination cycle.

Q5. When will the re-conducted NEET UG examination take place?
The dates for the re-conducted examination have not yet been announced. The NTA will communicate the re-examination dates and the revised admit card schedule through official channels in the coming days.

Q6. What action has been taken against those responsible for the paper leak?
The matter has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and police in Maharashtra’s Nashik district have made arrests in connection with the case.

Q7. Where can candidates find official updates regarding the re-examination?
Candidates should regularly check the official NTA website at nta.ac.in or neet.nta.nic.in for authentic updates. They should also follow NTA’s official social media channels and disregard unverified information from unofficial sources.