The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 and announced that it would hold the medical entrance test again on dates to be announced later.
The agency took the decision after reports of alleged irregularities and a possible paper leak surfaced from multiple locations.
In a statement issued on X, the NTA said it acted after consulting Central agencies and law enforcement authorities.
In continuation of its press release dated 10 May 2026, the National Testing Agency wishes to inform candidates, parents, and members of the public of the following decisions taken in respect of NEET (UG) 2026. NTA had, on 8 May 2026, referred the matters then under consideration…
— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) May 12, 2026
The agency said the alleged irregularities had compromised the integrity and transparency of the examination process, forcing it to cancel the exam.
The NTA said it referred concerns related to the examination to Central agencies on May 8 for verification.
Following inputs from investigative authorities, the Government cancelled the exam and ordered a re-test.
The Government has also handed the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a detailed probe, while the NTA has assured full cooperation with investigators.
The agency acknowledged that the decision would cause inconvenience to lakhs of students and their families. Still, it maintained that protecting the credibility of the national examination system was of greater importance.
The NTA said allowing the results to stand despite the allegations would have damaged public trust in the examination system.
The agency confirmed that students would not need to register again, would not pay any extra fee, and would soon receive fresh exam dates and admit card details.
The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) began probing an alleged paper leak after recovering a handwritten document containing nearly 120 questions that reportedly matched the NEET paper, including several Biology and Chemistry questions.
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