The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that NEET UG 2026 will be conducted again after allegations of a major paper leak created nationwide concern among students and parents.
The medical entrance examination, held on May 3, came under scrutiny after investigators reportedly found that a “guess paper” circulated before the exam closely matched the actual question paper in multiple subjects.
Massive Similarity Between Guess Paper And Actual Exam
According to sources connected to the ongoing probe, the leaked material showed an unusually high similarity with the final NEET paper.
Reports claim that in the Biology section, nearly every question matched the original exam paper. In Chemistry, a large number of questions were also reportedly similar to those asked in the examination.
Officials investigating the matter believe such a close match cannot be considered a coincidence and may indicate a well-planned leak operation.
Leak Material Reportedly Reached Coaching Centres Early
The alleged question sets were reportedly shared both online and offline before the exam took place. Some reports suggest that the material had already reached students in major coaching centres, including Rajasthan’s Sikar region, weeks before the examination.
The controversy has once again raised concerns over the security of competitive examinations in India, especially after previous allegations linked to NEET in earlier years.
CBI Starts Investigation Into NEET UG 2026 Leak Claims
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now entered the case and registered an official investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The NTA said it had started receiving complaints regarding malpractice shortly after the exam was conducted. Following an internal review and discussions with central agencies, the decision was taken to cancel the examination completely.
The agency clarified that candidates will not have to submit a fresh application form for the re-exam. Existing registrations will remain valid, and students will also not be charged any extra fee.
Over 23 Lakh Students Affected
NEET UG remains India’s largest medical entrance examination, with around 23 lakh candidates appearing this year. The exam was conducted across hundreds of centres in India and abroad.
The cancellation has left many students frustrated, as they now have to restart their preparation and wait for a new examination schedule.
Several student groups have also demanded stricter action against those responsible for the alleged leak.
Opposition Questions Examination System
Political reactions have also intensified after the cancellation announcement. Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticised the handling of exam-related controversies and demanded accountability from the authorities.
He questioned whether previous investigations into similar cases had resulted in any concrete action or punishment.
Fresh Concerns Over Exam Security
Before NEET UG 2026, the NTA had highlighted upgraded security systems, including CCTV monitoring and GPS tracking for question paper transportation.
However, the latest controversy has triggered fresh debate over whether current measures are enough to prevent organised exam leaks in high-stakes national tests.
