This comes after reports of a possible paper leak came from Rajasthan after the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) had launched an investigation into the allegations.
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday, May 12, announced that NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 has been cancelled, while the exam will now be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately.
In an official statement shared on X, the agency said that the decision came after examining inputs received from central agencies as well as law enforcement authorities regarding alleged irregularities in the examination process.
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“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 to the central agencies for independent verification and necessary action, consistent with its standing commitment to the fair, secure, and credible conduct of the national examinations entrusted to it,” the NTA said.
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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
It added, “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.”
Moreover, it stated that the central government has decided to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“The Government of India has further decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations therein. NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires,” it said.
The statement further noted that the inputs received by NTA, taken together with the findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, “established that the present examination process could not be allowed to stand.”
“The re-conducted examination dates, along with the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be communicated through the official channels of the Agency in the coming days,” it added.
Acknowledging the inconvenience caused to students and parents, the NTA maintained that the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of the system.
“This decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests. The Agency is conscious that the re-conduct will cause real and significant inconvenience to candidates and their families. However, the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust,” it stated.
Also, it has clarified that the registration data, candidature and examination centres that were opted for during the May 2026 cycle shall remain valid for the re-conducted examination, while no fresh registration process will be required, and no additional examination fee will be charged.
Moreover, the NTA said that the examination fee paid by candidates would be refunded, while the re-examination would be conducted using the agency’s internal resources.
“Further communications, including the re-conducted examination dates and the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be issued through the official channels of the Agency. Candidates and parents are requested to rely only on these official channels and to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media,” the NTA said.
This comes after reports of a possible paper leak came from Rajasthan after the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) had launched an investigation into the allegations.
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As per the NTA, as many as 22.79 lakh students appeared for the exam that was held across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, covering more than 5,400 centres.
Calling the NEET exam an “auction”, LoP Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, “I heard the news about the NEET 2026 paper leak. It’s not an exam anymore–NEET is now an auction. Many questions were being sold on WhatsApp 42 hours before the exam. Over 22 lakh children studied through sleepless nights all year, burning the midnight oil, and in one night, their future was openly auctioned off in the marketplace. This isn’t the first time. In 10 years, 89 paper leaks–48 re-exams. Every time, the same promises, and then the same silence.”
Meanwhile, AAP national convenor and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said this was not the first time when the NEET exam paper leak has happened.
“This has happened four times (in the past). This only means that there is a collusion and political patronage. What is happening in this country? People who can’t conduct an examination properly, how will they run a government? It is a case of complete collusion. My sympathies are with the aspirants. I want to tell them that this govt only understands the language of ‘andolan’, and Kejriwal will stand by them,” he said.
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