New Delhi: In a major development that has sent shockwaves across the country, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination following allegations surrounding the circulation of a “guess paper” allegedly linked to questions that appeared in the final test.
The decision affects more than 22 lakh medical aspirants who appeared for the highly competitive entrance examination on May 3, hoping to secure admission to undergraduate medical courses across India.
The cancellation comes after central agencies flagged possible irregularities related to the circulation of examination material before the test. Following a preliminary review, the NTA announced that the integrity of the examination process may have been compromised and said the exam could not be allowed to stand under such circumstances.
In an official statement, the agency said it had acted in the interest of maintaining fairness and credibility in the national examination system.
The Government of India has now handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is expected to conduct a detailed inquiry into the origin and circulation of the alleged “guess paper”, identify those involved, and examine whether an organised network was operating behind the malpractice.
Officials said the NTA would extend full cooperation to the investigation and provide all relevant examination records, digital evidence, and logistical details required by investigators.
The announcement has left lakhs of students and parents anxious about the future admission process. Many aspirants had spent years preparing for the examination, often under immense academic and financial pressure.
Despite the setback, the NTA confirmed that NEET UG 2026 will be conducted again, with fresh examination dates expected to be announced shortly through official channels.
In a post on X, the NTA clarified that all candidate data from the cancelled examination cycle would remain valid for the re-conducted exam.
“The registration data, candidature, and examination centres opted for in the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward to the re-conducted examination. No fresh registration will be required, and no additional examination fee will be levied,” the agency said.
The NTA further stated that fees already paid by candidates would be refunded and the re-examination would be conducted using the agency’s internal resources.
As a relief measure for students, the agency announced that previously allotted examination centres would continue to remain valid. Fresh admit cards will be issued ahead of the new examination date.
Officials also acknowledged the emotional distress caused to students and their families by the cancellation but argued that preserving the credibility of the examination system was paramount.
The controversy has once again reignited debate over the conduct of high-stakes competitive examinations in India, especially concerns surrounding paper leaks, organised exam fraud, and the vulnerability of large-scale testing systems.
Candidates have been advised to rely only on official notifications issued by the NTA and avoid misinformation circulating on social media platforms.
Students seeking clarification have been asked to contact the NTA through its official portal or helpline numbers.
Rajasthan SOG Expands Investigation
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG), which has been investigating the matter, claimed that several questions appearing in the examination matched those circulated in a specific “guess paper” before the test.
According to officials, 120 out of 410 questions in the alleged material reportedly appeared in the NEET UG 2026 examination.
SOG Additional Director General Vishal Bansal said investigators are examining whether candidates were misled in the name of “guess papers” or whether deeper irregularities took place.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that around 40 suspects had been detained from Sikar and Jaipur for questioning. Officials said financial transactions linked to the circulation of the material are also under scrutiny.
No FIR has been formally registered so far, though the investigation is reportedly expanding to multiple locations across Rajasthan.
Rajasthan minister Kirori Lal Meena defended the government’s response, saying authorities acted swiftly once evidence of the leak surfaced.
“The examination was cancelled immediately after it became clear that 120 questions matched the leaked material. Orders for a CBI investigation were issued without delay. Nobody involved will escape the law,” he said.
NSUI Protests, Demands Minister’s Resignation
The cancellation also triggered political protests in the national capital.
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress party, staged a demonstration outside the Education Ministry at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The protest was led by NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar, who termed the cancellation a “victory of student voices.”
“Today’s decision proves that students were right in raising concerns. If the examination system had been fair and secure, the government would not have been forced to cancel the exam and order a CBI probe,” Jakhar said during the protest.
The NSUI also demanded a complete overhaul of the NTA and questioned the recurring controversies surrounding national-level entrance examinations.
Protesters accused the government of failing to protect the interests of students and asked who would take responsibility for the emotional, financial, and academic uncertainty faced by lakhs of aspirants after the cancellation.
The latest controversy has intensified calls for stronger safeguards, improved digital security, and greater accountability in India’s examination ecosystem, as pressure mounts on authorities to restore confidence among students ahead of the re-examination.
