NTA is back under scrutiny over the alleged paper leak. There was a similar charge in 2024 that led to the formation of a high-level panel, reviews and recommendations to overhaul the test conducting mechanisms. Two years later, the gaps persist.
Right after the 2024 shocker, NEET-UG 2025, though it progressed smoothly, reported cases of students impacted by power outages approaching high courts. But 2026 has been a year of multiple hiccups for NTA.
Also Read: NEET-UG 2026 cancelled amid paper leak allegations, re-exam likely in June
On May 6, NTA released a provisional answer key for NEET-UG, sparking doubts over Physics numericals. On April 12, it had to revise its JEE Main answer key, correcting as many as 19 errors from the Chemistry segment which were flagged off by students.
More recently, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) triggered similar anxiety over exam centres being allocated in far-flung cities. NTA was quick to course correct, but these instances only end up strengthening a perception of inefficiency, negligence and apathy in the NTA machinery.
While these may seem minor errors, the psychological and academic impact on students appearing for the exams is considerable.
That 120 of the 420 NEET-UG question papers were in alleged circulation 15 days before the exam and NTA considered the allegations serious enough to cancel the exam - a first such suo motu cancellation of the medical entrance exam without any court intervention - is testimony to the extent of the problem.
Also Read: NEET UG 2026 paper leak: CBI files FIR, forms special investigation teams
This occurred despite NTA's claim that the May 3 exam was conducted "under a full security protocol". NTA is now on the firing line for its 'inefficiency'. Much, however, may have to do with lack of continuity and stability at NTA.
While NTA DG Subodh Kumar Singh was removed in June 2024 amid the leak fiasco, chairman & MD of ITPO was given additional charge of the agency soon after - an arrangement that went on until October 2025 when IAS officer Rajesh Lakhani was brought in to steer the ship. Days ahead of NEET 2026, Abhishek Singh was handed over the charge -- the third person at the helm in under two years.
Right after the 2024 shocker, NEET-UG 2025, though it progressed smoothly, reported cases of students impacted by power outages approaching high courts. But 2026 has been a year of multiple hiccups for NTA.
Also Read: NEET-UG 2026 cancelled amid paper leak allegations, re-exam likely in June
On May 6, NTA released a provisional answer key for NEET-UG, sparking doubts over Physics numericals. On April 12, it had to revise its JEE Main answer key, correcting as many as 19 errors from the Chemistry segment which were flagged off by students.
More recently, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) triggered similar anxiety over exam centres being allocated in far-flung cities. NTA was quick to course correct, but these instances only end up strengthening a perception of inefficiency, negligence and apathy in the NTA machinery.
While these may seem minor errors, the psychological and academic impact on students appearing for the exams is considerable.
That 120 of the 420 NEET-UG question papers were in alleged circulation 15 days before the exam and NTA considered the allegations serious enough to cancel the exam - a first such suo motu cancellation of the medical entrance exam without any court intervention - is testimony to the extent of the problem.
Also Read: NEET UG 2026 paper leak: CBI files FIR, forms special investigation teams
This occurred despite NTA's claim that the May 3 exam was conducted "under a full security protocol". NTA is now on the firing line for its 'inefficiency'. Much, however, may have to do with lack of continuity and stability at NTA.
While NTA DG Subodh Kumar Singh was removed in June 2024 amid the leak fiasco, chairman & MD of ITPO was given additional charge of the agency soon after - an arrangement that went on until October 2025 when IAS officer Rajesh Lakhani was brought in to steer the ship. Days ahead of NEET 2026, Abhishek Singh was handed over the charge -- the third person at the helm in under two years.
