The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday announced that the re-examination for NEET-UG 2026 will be conducted on June 21, nearly two weeks after the medical entrance test was cancelled over allegations of a paper leak.
In a post on X, the NTA said the decision had been taken with the approval of the Government of India and urged candidates and parents to rely only on official communication channels for updates related to the examination.
“The National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has scheduled the re-examination of NEET (UG) 2026 on Sunday, 21 June 2026,” the agency said.
📢 NEET (UG) 2026 — Examination Date Announced
The National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has scheduled the re-examination of NEET (UG) 2026 on Sunday, 21 June 2026.
Candidates and parents are requested to rely only on the official channels of NTA.…— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) May 15, 2026
The announcement comes amid growing pressure on the government and examination authorities after the cancellation of the May 3 exam, which affected more than 22 lakh candidates across the country. The controversy has also triggered a wider debate around the credibility and security of competitive examinations in India.
High-level meeting chaired by Dharmendra Pradhan
Two days after the cancellation of the exam, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials on Thursday evening to review preparations for the re-examination.
According to sources, discussions focused on conducting the exam in a “safe, transparent and credible manner” while finalising operational details and timelines.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh, CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh and officials from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.
CBI probe expands as accused sent to custody
The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 followed allegations that the question paper had been leaked before the examination. The matter is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court granted seven days’ custody of five accused arrested in connection with the alleged leak.
The accused, identified as Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Shubham Khairnar and Yash Yadav, were produced before Special Judge Ajay Gupta by the CBI.
According to the court order, investigators suspect the existence of a larger organised network behind the alleged leak.
The court noted that accused Dinesh Biwal allegedly helped circulate the NEET question paper in conspiracy with other accused persons. It also observed that the investigation was at a very early stage and custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the full chain involved in the operation.
Investigators further alleged that some incriminating data had already been deleted from mobile phones, raising concerns about possible destruction of evidence.
Alleged Rs 12 lakh paper leak deal under scanner
According to the investigation, Mangilal Biwal allegedly contacted Shubham Khairnar to obtain the NEET question paper for his son, Vikas Biwal.
The CBI has alleged that the leaked paper was first shared by Shubham Khairnar with Yash Yadav and then circulated through other accused persons in the chain.
Investigators also claimed that the leaked paper was later sold to multiple candidates for around Rs 12 lakh.
The court has directed the CBI to produce all the accused again on May 20.