Karnataka Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar and Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Tuesday, 12 May launched sharp attacks on the Central government over the alleged NEET UG 2026 examination question paper leak, demanding accountability from the BJP-led Union government as the National Testing Agency (NTA) confirmed it was cancelling the examination and referring the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Ministers Raise Alarm Over NTA Credibility

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Minister Sudhakar described the incident as "very unfortunate" and said that repeated irregularities had raised serious questions about the credibility of the NTA. "Time and again, this keeps happening. Now the credibility of the National Testing Agency has to be debated," he said.

Sudhakar pointed to the scale of the impact, noting that more than 22.5 lakh candidates who appeared for the examination had already undergone immense mental stress. "Once again, they will have to start preparing and go through the stress of writing the entrance exam," he said, adding that a CBI inquiry at this stage offered little comfort to affected students.

Call for Stricter Laws and Central Accountability

The minister called for stringent legislation to punish those responsible for paper leaks, saying the desperation of medical aspirants was difficult to comprehend. "The stress levels students face are unimaginable. The desperation to secure a medical or allied medical sciences seat is not something we can easily understand. There should be a strict law to punish such people. We are testing the patience of lakhs of students who write the NEET exam," Sudhakar said.

Targeting the BJP, Sudhakar drew a pointed contrast with the opposition's frequent demands for the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over state-level issues. "If they are truly committed to society and the younger generation, they should ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take responsibility and come out in the open. Either he resigns or his minister resigns," he said.

Bangarappa Alleges Centre's Mismanagement

Education Minister Bangarappa echoed the criticism, alleging that the Centre's mismanagement and poor administration were causing grave injustice to students for the second consecutive year. "Despite the lack of a proper system, students have worked hard and tried to secure good results through their efforts. However, due to the Centre's mismanagement and poor administration, injustice is being done to children," he alleged.

Bangarappa also challenged reporters to direct the same questions to Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, questioning whether such irregularities had occurred under the state government. In a veiled swipe at the Centre, he remarked: "What more can be said to those who beat drums and light lamps" — an apparent reference to symbolic national campaigns.

NTA Cancels NEET UG 2026, Orders CBI Inquiry

The NTA had conducted the NEET UG 2026 examination on 3 May. In a social media post, the agency confirmed it had decided to cancel the examination "in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests." The NTA also stated that the government had decided to refer the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations of a paper leak.

This is not the first time NEET has been mired in controversy — a similar paper leak scandal rocked the NEET UG 2024 examination, triggering nationwide protests and a Supreme Court hearing. With over 22.5 lakh students now facing renewed uncertainty, pressure is mounting on the Centre to overhaul the examination infrastructure before any fresh date is announced.