The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 for over 22 lakh candidates. The decision follows a massive controversy involving a widespread question paper leak that has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough probe.
The Scale of the Scandal: “Guess Paper” with 100% Strike Rate
The investigation into the May 3 exam revealed that a pre-circulated “guess paper” matched a staggering number of questions from the actual paper.
- Chemistry: All 45 questions from the NEET Chemistry section appeared in an 81-question guess paper in the exact sequence, without a single change in punctuation.
- Biology: All 90 questions from the NEET Biology section were allegedly present in a 200-question circulated document.
- Impact: In total, approximately 135 to 140 questions (worth 600 out of 720 marks) were found to be identical or significantly similar to the leaked material.
Investigation and Key Arrests
The probe, spearheaded by Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG) and now the CBI, has exposed a sophisticated cross-state network:
- Manish Yadav Detained: Alleged mastermind Manish Yadav has been detained in Jaipur as the investigation expands across three states.
- Sikar Connection: The “guess paper” reportedly reached coaching hubs in Sikar, Rajasthan, nearly four days before the exam.
- The Price of Fraud: Reports indicate the papers were being sold to desperate aspirants for sums ranging from ₹7.3 lakh up to ₹30 lakh.
- Wider Net: Around 15 individuals, including career counselors and hostel operators from Jaipur, Sikar, and Dehradun, have been detained for questioning.
NTA Response and Re-Exam Status
The NTA stated that the current examination process “could not be allowed to stand” given the gravity of the law enforcement findings.
- Fresh Dates: The agency will announce new dates for a nationwide re-conduct of the exam in the coming days.
- Admit Cards: Revised hall tickets will be issued separately for all 22.79 lakh registered candidates.
- Administrative Action: Investigators believe the leak may have originated at a printing press in Jaipur or during the paper-setting stage rather than through the NTA’s digital systems.
The cancellation has triggered widespread protests by student organizations in Delhi and other major cities, as millions of medical aspirants now face an uncertain timeline for their future careers.
NE Headlines | May 12, 2026 | #NEETUG2026 #PaperLeak #NTA #MedicalEntrance #EducationNews