The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 after serious allegations related to a possible paper leak and suspicious “guess paper” circulation surfaced during an investigation by Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG).
The decision has shocked lakhs of medical aspirants across the country, as the examination is India’s largest entrance test for undergraduate medical admissions. The government has also ordered a detailed investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the entire matter.
According to the latest update, the NTA announced the cancellation through its official communication channels after examining preliminary findings emerging from the Rajasthan SOG investigation.
NTA Cancels May 3 NEET UG 2026 Examination
The NTA confirmed that the NEET UG 2026 examination held on May 3 will now be conducted again on fresh dates, which will be announced separately.
The agency stated that the decision was taken following serious concerns regarding examination fairness and integrity.
According to the official statement, the move reflects the government’s commitment to conducting national-level examinations in a secure, transparent, and trustworthy manner.
The NTA had earlier issued a statement on May 10 addressing growing concerns over the alleged leak controversy. After further developments in the investigation, the agency finally decided to cancel the examination completely.
Rajasthan SOG Investigation Reveals Major Findings
The most significant development came from the investigation being conducted by Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group.
According to investigators, a 150-page “guess paper” containing around 410 questions had reportedly been circulating among candidates several days before the examination.
The investigation claims that:
- Around 120 questions from the Chemistry section allegedly matched the actual NEET UG examination paper almost exactly.
- The material was reportedly circulating among students nearly 15 days to one month before the exam.
- Some reports even suggest that questions worth nearly 600 marks out of the total 720 may have reached certain candidates before the examination.
However, officials have clarified that the investigation is still ongoing and no final conclusion regarding a confirmed paper leak has yet been officially declared.
What Rajasthan SOG Officials Said
According to Rajasthan SOG Additional Director General Vishal Bansal, investigators are currently examining whether the so-called guess paper was connected to any organized cheating network or criminal activity.
Officials stated that the primary focus of the investigation is to determine:
- How the material circulated
- Who prepared or distributed it
- Whether candidates received unfair advantage
- If coaching networks or intermediaries were involved
Authorities are also investigating digital communication channels and transaction records related to the circulation of the material.
Government Hands Investigation to CBI
The Government of India has now officially transferred the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation.
According to the NTA’s latest notice:
- The government has ordered a full-scale investigation into all allegations linked to NEET UG 2026.
- The CBI will examine all evidence, records, communications, and suspicious activities connected to the case.
The NTA also stated that it will fully cooperate with the investigation and provide all required records and documents.
Students Will Not Need Fresh Registration
The NTA has clarified that candidates who appeared for the May 3 examination will not need to:
- Register again
- Submit a new application form
- Pay any additional examination fee
The re-examination process will use existing candidate records.
Officials have also stated that:
- Previously paid examination fees will be refunded.
- The full cost of conducting the fresh examination will be borne by the NTA.
This announcement has offered some relief to students and families concerned about additional financial burden.
New Exam Dates to Be Announced Separately
The NTA has said that fresh dates for the re-examination will be announced later through official channels.
Candidates have been advised to rely only on:
and verified government communication platforms for updates regarding:
- New exam schedule
- Admit cards
- Exam centre details
- Instructions for candidates
The agency has warned students not to trust rumors, fake notices, or unofficial social media claims.
Massive Impact on Medical Aspirants
The cancellation has affected lakhs of students who had been preparing for the examination for months or even years.
Students are now facing:
- Academic uncertainty
- Emotional stress
- Delayed admission timelines
- Additional preparation pressure
Many parents and students have expressed disappointment over the situation, while others have supported the decision, saying a fresh examination is necessary to ensure fairness.
Questions Raised Over Exam Security
The controversy has once again triggered debate over examination security in large-scale competitive tests in India.
Experts are now demanding stronger safeguards such as:
- Digital question paper tracking
- Advanced encryption systems
- Better cyber monitoring
- Stricter logistics control
- Improved examination surveillance
- Faster detection of suspicious activities
Several education experts believe the latest incident could push authorities toward major examination reforms in the future.
NTA Reiterates Commitment to Fair Exams
In its statement, the NTA emphasized that maintaining the integrity of national examinations remains its top priority.
The agency stated that all decisions taken so far have been aimed at ensuring fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all candidates.
With the CBI now formally investigating the matter and the examination officially cancelled, NEET UG 2026 has become one of the biggest examination controversies in recent years, sparking nationwide discussion over exam security, coaching networks, and the future of competitive entrance testing in India.
-
Scientists say Earth’s crust is sinking beneath central Turkey in a strange circular pattern, and they believe they finally know why
-
Vedanta chief Anil Agarwal backs PM's call to save forex, pitches for mining reforms
-
Elon Musk, Tim Cook and other prominent US executives invited to join Trump on trip to China
-
Quote of the day by Christopher Paolini: 'The trick is to find happiness in the brief gaps between...' Life lessons on joy, human nature and hardships by American writer
-
Why did the US stock market crash today? Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq sink deep into red as Iran tensions and soaring oil prices fuel fresh inflation fears across Wall Street
