NTA Scraps NEET UG 2026 Over Rajasthan Paper Leak; CBI Steps In for Full Probe

The National Testing Agency (NTA) officially cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. This drastic decision follows a growing controversy over an alleged paper leak during the national medical entrance test held on May 3. Consequently, the central government has ordered a comprehensive re-examination for over 22 lakh aspirants nationwide, promising fresh dates very soon.

The Trigger: Blatant Paper Leak in Rajasthan

The crisis deepened after the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) uncovered a highly compromised “guess paper.”Specifically, investigators found that this leaked document contained nearly 140 questions that exactly matched the actual NEET 2026 question paper.

Following these definitive findings, the NTA reviewed the data alongside central intelligence agencies. Furthermore, the agency concluded that the integrity of the selection process was entirely ruined. “The present examination process could not be allowed to stand,” the NTA stated in its official press release. Ultimately, the central government has transferred the entire case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to unearth the multi-state cheating network.

Important Guidelines for Candidates

To minimise the immense distress caused to students, the NTA has streamlined the re-test protocols:

• No Fresh Registrations: All candidate details, registration numbers, and previously selected exam centres will remain fully valid.
• Zero Additional Fees: Aspirants do not need to pay any extra fees for the upcoming re-test.
• Complete Fee Refunds: The NTA announced it will refund the examination fees already paid by candidates during the initial May application cycle.
• Internal Funding: The testing body will fund and organize the entire re-test using its own internal resources.

Political Backlash and Systemic Reforms

This disruption marks the second consecutive year that the medical entrance exam has faced serious credibility issues. Moreover, opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have raised sharp accountability concerns regarding the NTA’s testing security.

In addition, the Ministry of Education is facing intense pressure to overhaul the competitive testing infrastructure. While the NTA acknowledges the massive inconvenience caused to families, it maintains that safeguarding transparency was the only viable path forward. Candidates can access direct support via the NTA Official Website or call the official student helpline at 011-40759000.

Conclusion

The sudden scrapping of NEET UG 2026 leaves millions of medical hopefuls in a state of exhaustion and uncertainty. However, the swift intervention of the CBI and the announcement of a free re-test offer a sliver of reassurance. Ultimately, all eyes now remain on the upcoming schedule release. The NTA will issue revised admit cards and fresh test dates exclusively through its official notification channels in the coming days.