NTA cancels NEET-UG 2026 exam held on May 3 after allegations of paper leak
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET‑UG 2026 examination that was conducted on 3 May 2026, after serious allegations of a paper leak and exam‑process irregularities emerged.
Why the exam was cancelled
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Several reports, including those from Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG/RSOG), indicated that a so‑called “guess paper” or mock test circulated before the exam allegedly contained a large number of questions (around 120–135) matching the actual NEET‑UG 2026 paper, raising credible concerns of a leak.
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On the basis of intelligence inputs and investigative findings shared by central and state law‑enforcement agencies, NTA concluded that the “present examination process could not be allowed to stand”, and therefore cancelled the conduct‑of‑exam decision.
Re‑exam and investigation
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The government has decided that NEET‑UG 2026 will be re‑conducted on fresh dates, which are to be notified separately by NTA.
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The Union government has also referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive probe into the alleged paper‑leak network, including coaching‑circle links, WhatsApp/Telegram dissemination, and financial transactions.
Political and public reaction
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The cancellation has triggered widespread protests by student‑welfare bodies and political student wings, who are demanding greater transparency and systemic reforms in national‑level exams.
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Government and media reports describe this as part of a broader pattern of disruptions in NTA‑conducted exams (including past NEET and CUET glitches), intensifying scrutiny of the agency’s security and operational protocols.
