New Delhi, May 12,2026 : The National Testing Agency on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of paper leak and irregularities, while the Government of India has ordered a comprehensive probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses across the country, will now be re-conducted on fresh dates to be announced separately.
In an official statement issued on X, the NTA said the decision was taken in the interest of transparency and to protect public trust in the national examination system.
“Based on inputs examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies and investigative findings shared by law enforcement agencies, the Government of India has approved cancellation of the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on May 3,” the agency stated.
The NTA added that the findings indicated the “present examination process could not be allowed to stand,” making a fresh examination unavoidable despite the inconvenience caused to lakhs of students and their families.
The government has now referred the matter to the CBI for a detailed investigation into alleged paper leak and examination irregularities.
“NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and provide all records, materials and assistance required during the inquiry,” the agency said.
The testing agency clarified that all registration data, candidature details and examination centre preferences submitted during the May 2026 cycle will remain valid for the reconducted examination.
“No fresh registration will be required and no additional examination fee will be charged,” the NTA announced, adding that fees already paid by candidates will be refunded.
Fresh examination dates and revised admit-card schedules are expected to be notified through official channels in the coming days.
Earlier, the NTA had maintained that the May 3 examination was conducted under strict security protocols, including GPS-tracked transportation of question papers, unique watermark identifiers and AI-assisted CCTV monitoring from a central control room.
However, the agency later acknowledged receiving inputs regarding alleged malpractice activities on the evening of May 7, four days after the examination, following which the matter was escalated to central agencies for verification.
The development has triggered nationwide concern among students, parents and coaching institutions, with demands growing for stricter safeguards and accountability in national-level entrance examinations.
