NEET-UG 2026 cancelled: How a ‘guess paper’ leak derailed the exam and what happens next | India News

In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken “in the interest of students” and to protect public trust in the national examination system.“On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, 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,” the agency posted on X.“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.

Why was NEET-UG 2026 cancelled?

The move comes days after investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that a question set described by officials as a “guess paper” had circulated among aspirants weeks before the exam and allegedly contained a large number of questions that closely matched the actual NEET paper.In a statement, the NTA said the decision to cancel the exam was taken to maintain transparency and protect trust in the national examination system after inputs from central agencies and findings shared by law enforcement authorities.The government has also referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive probe into allegations linked to the exam.“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,” the agency said.The agency added that although re-conducting the exam would cause inconvenience to students and families, allowing the current process to continue would have caused greater damage to the credibility of the examination system.This development comes after earlier NTA said the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3 was conducted under “full security protocol” at all centres across the country. However, NTA said it became aware of alleged irregularities after the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) initiated action in the matter.According to the agency, inputs related to suspected malpractice were received on the evening of May 7, four days after the exam, and were immediately shared with central agencies on May 8 for “independent verification and necessary action”.

How the controversy unfolded

The controversy began after inputs regarding suspected malpractice emerged from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand following the May 3 examination.According to investigators, a document containing around 410 questions had been circulating among students between 15 days and one month before the exam. Officials said nearly 120 questions from the Chemistry section allegedly matched the actual examination paper exactly.Authorities also claimed that the material had been shared through WhatsApp groups as little as 42 hours before the exam.The Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), which is leading the initial investigation, launched a probe after reports surfaced that the circulated material showed “striking similarities” to questions asked in the examination.SOG additional director general Vishal Bansal said investigators were examining whether the material was merely a test series or part of a larger organised cheating racket.“Our investigation is currently focused on determining whether any cheating or criminal activity has occurred based on this guess paper,” Bansal said, as reported by ANI.“We are actively examining this matter and are currently engaged in the investigative process. No, as of now, we have not made any arrests of any kind,” he added.Bansal noted that investigators found a set of over 400 questions circulated days before the exam, with over 100 biology and chemistry questions showing “striking similarities” to those asked in NEET.Bansal described it as a “guess paper” or test series, but sources said a deeper nexus has not been ruled out, citing searches and questioning across several Rajasthan cities and in Dehradun.Similar videos and copies of test-series question papers were also shared on social media from a coaching academy in Latur, Maharashtra.

What happens next?

The NTA said NEET-UG 2026 will now be re-conducted using the agency’s internal resources. Fresh examination dates and revised admit card schedules will be announced later through official channels.According to the agency the students will not have to register again. “The registration data, candidature, and examination centres opted for in the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward to the re-conducted examination,” NTA said.“No fresh registration will be required, and no additional examination fee will be levied. In addition, fees already paid, will be refunded to the students and the exam will be re-conducted using NTA’s internal resources,” it noted.Candidates and parents have been advised to rely only on official announcements and avoid unverified claims circulating on social media.“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 agency added.The NTA has also issued a helpline for students:

Political reactions and protests

The cancellation sparked protests by student groups and triggered political attacks on the government. Workers of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged protests outside Shastri Bhavan in Delhi after the cancellation announcement.Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi had earlier criticised the alleged paper leak, calling NEET an “auction”.“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,” Gandhi wrote on X.“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,” he added.Also read: NTA cancels NEET UG 2026 examination, fresh test dates to be announced separately