The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 following allegations related to a paper leak and irregularities in the examination process. The agency said the exam will be conducted again on dates that will be announced separately.
In an official statement, the NTA said the decision was taken after reviewing inputs received from central agencies and findings shared by law enforcement authorities. The matter had earlier been referred to central agencies on May 8 for independent verification and necessary action.
NEET UG 2026 Exam Cancelled After Investigation
According to the NTA, the findings examined in coordination with investigative agencies indicated that the integrity of the examination process had been compromised.
“The present examination process could not be allowed to stand,” the agency said, adding that the re-conducted examination dates and revised admit card schedule would be communicated through official channels in the coming days.
This comes after inputs form central probe agencies raised concerns about the integrity of the examination on May 3. According to the information, around 22 lakh students appeared for the NEET UG exam this year.
Investigation agencies are currently probing two possible leak routes, one during the printing and another involving the paper setter. Now, the CBI will investigate the alleged leaked guess paper before the exams and organised malpractice.
In Rajasthan alone, over 45 people have reportedly been detained so far in connection with the NEET paper leak investigation. According to sources, a handwritten leaked version of the question paper was circulated, which was suspected of being leaked during the printing of the question paper.
Government Orders CBI Inquiry
The Government of India has also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations linked to the examination.
The NTA said it would fully cooperate with the probe and provide all necessary records and materials required by the investigating agency.
Existing Registrations To Remain Valid
The agency clarified that candidates who registered for the May 2026 examination cycle will not have to apply again. Existing registration details, candidature and selected examination centres will remain valid for the re-examination.
No additional examination fee will be charged to candidates. The NTA also stated that fees already paid by students would be refunded, while the fresh examination would be conducted using the agency’s internal resources.
The NTA acknowledged that the cancellation and re-conduct of the examination would cause inconvenience to students and their families, but said the decision was necessary to maintain trust in the national examination system.
Candidates and parents have been advised to rely only on official communication channels for updates regarding the revised examination schedule and admit cards. The agency also urged people to ignore unverified information circulating on social media.