New Delhi: In a major development affecting lakhs of medical aspirants, the National Testing Agency has cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of a paper leak and irregularities in the exam process.
Announcing the decision, the NTA said the move was taken in the interest of students and to protect the credibility and integrity of the national examination system. The Centre has also handed over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive probe.
#WATCH | CBI will probe number of questions leaked; no additional fees will be charged for re-exam, previous fees will be refunded: NTA Director General Abhishek Singh after NEET-UG paper leak#NEETUG2026 #NEET #NTA pic.twitter.com/UgOEVMnghr
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 12, 2026
The agency said the decision came after inputs from central agencies and findings shared by law enforcement authorities regarding suspected malpractice.
NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said the examination would be reconducted fairly, without charging any additional fee from candidates. He also announced that the examination fee paid by students would be refunded.
According to the NTA, candidates will not have to register again, as all existing registration details, candidature information and examination centres will remain valid for the re-exam. Fresh dates for the reconducted examination will be announced separately.
The cancellation has triggered fresh concerns over the security and transparency of competitive examinations in the country, with lakhs of students now awaiting the revised exam schedule.
