Delhi University Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh on 16 May said that transitioning NEET-UG to a computer-based format requires careful evaluation, warning that no technological overhaul will resolve the crisis unless the organised networks behind repeated paper leaks are dismantled. His remarks come after the National Testing Agency (NTA) rescheduled the NEET-UG 2026 examination to 21 June, following the cancellation of the 3 May exam amid widespread allegations of a paper leak.

What the DU Vice Chancellor Said

Speaking on the proposed shift to Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, Singh acknowledged the Education Minister's announcement but urged caution. “As of now, the exam for June 21 has been declared. There will definitely be a discussion on how things should be conducted going forward. The Education Minister has announced that the next examination will be a computer-based test. There are many separate aspects to this, also, which all of us will have to examine. Because cyber attacks happen very frequently,” he said.

Singh went further, arguing that systemic reform must accompany any format change. “We may create new systems, but until these gangs and groups are broken, challenges will continue to remain for us. I am fully confident that this time the matter will be taken to the root, and until these people are frightened and stopped, they will continue creating obstacles in improving the system somewhere or the other,” he added.

Accountability at the NTA

The DU Vice Chancellor demanded exemplary punishment for any NTA official found complicit in the leak. “If someone there has any role in this leak, there should be exemplary punishment for them. This should be investigated immediately,” Singh said. While acknowledging limited knowledge of the NTA's internal structure, he was unequivocal on responsibility: “They were conducting this test, so it is their responsibility to ensure that such breaches do not occur.”

Government's Response and Re-exam Details

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the 21 June re-examination will be extended by 15 minutes, running from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM IST, and that admit cards will be issued by 14 June. The re-exam will be conducted in offline mode across the country and will be free of cost, with examination fees refunded to all candidates.

To ease logistical pressure, the NTA will allow students to select their preferred examination city one week before the test. The minister also said transportation arrangements would be made where feasible, given prevailing weather conditions. Starting from next year, NEET-UG will shift to CBT mode, Pradhan confirmed.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been tasked with a detailed probe to identify the source of the breach and map the full extent of the conspiracy. Pradhan warned that any attempt to undermine examination integrity would invite severe consequences.

On the Protests

Addressing the demonstrations that followed the exam's cancellation, Singh appealed for restraint. “NTA has now announced the new date; the exam will be held on June 21. Even earlier, I did not feel there was any need for protest, and even today, I would say there is no need for it, because this is a sensitive subject. It is connected to the future of our students,” he said.

Singh defended the government's decision to cancel the original exam, stating that allowing a compromised paper to stand would have been a grave injustice to sincere candidates. “The government took the correct decision,” he asserted, urging students to stay focused and parents to ensure a stress-free environment ahead of the re-examination.

What Happens Next

With the CBI investigation underway and the re-exam set for 21 June 2026, the immediate focus shifts to securing the examination chain and preventing a repeat breach. The proposed move to CBT from next year adds a longer-term dimension, but as Singh cautioned, the technology is only as secure as the networks it replaces — and those networks, he insists, must be broken first.