NEET-UG 2026 Exam Cancelled Amid Allegations of Paper Leak and Guess Paper Controversy
Why was NEET 2026 exam cancelled? Full timeline of leak, 'guess paper' controversy, Rajasthan-Uttarakhand link & what we know so far
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, originally held on May 3, due to serious allegations of a paper leak and the circulation of a 'guess paper' containing questions that matched the actual exam. A comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is underway to address these issues.
- 01The NEET-UG 2026 exam was cancelled due to allegations of a paper leak and guess paper circulation.
- 02Over 24 lakh students were affected by the cancellation of the exam.
- 03The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
- 04The NTA will re-conduct the NEET-UG 2026 exam without requiring new registrations or additional fees.
- 05Political leaders have criticized the government's handling of the examination integrity.
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which took place on May 3, 2026, due to serious allegations of a possible paper leak and the circulation of a 'guess paper' that significantly overlapped with the actual exam questions. Following inputs from various states and investigative agencies, the NTA, with the approval of the Government of India, decided to cancel the examination to maintain the integrity of the testing process. Investigations revealed that a 'guess paper' containing over 400 questions was circulated, with approximately 120 questions matching the actual exam, raising concerns about organized malpractice. The NTA has referred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough inquiry into the alleged leak and its connections to coaching networks across states, particularly in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. As a result of the cancellation, the NTA assured that no new registration or fees would be required for the re-examination, which will be conducted using internal resources. The decision has sparked political criticism, with opposition leaders calling for accountability and further investigation into the examination framework.
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The cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 exam will significantly affect over 24 lakh aspiring medical students, as they will need to prepare for a re-examination. This incident raises concerns about the integrity of medical entrance exams in India.
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