The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 exam, affecting 2.27 million students, after confirming that the question paper had been leaked. The breach was identified as having occurred just days before the exam, with questions circulating on phones of individuals as early as May 1. NTA director general Abhishek Singh acknowledged the agency's failure, stating, "We take responsibility for what has happened; it was wrong." A retest will be scheduled within the next seven to ten days, and students will not incur additional fees as the original fees will be refunded. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing a multi-state network that allegedly facilitated the leak, which involved distributing a 'guess paper' that included original NEET questions. Protests erupted nationwide, with students demanding the dissolution of the NTA, citing ongoing grievances regarding examination integrity. This cancellation follows a similar crisis in 2024, raising concerns about the examination system's reliability. Singh emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent future breaches, stating, "Paper leaks must end with immediate effect."