The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on 3 May 2026 and announced that the test would be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately. The decision, taken with the approval of the Government of India, follows investigative findings by central and law enforcement agencies pointing to alleged irregularities in the examination process.

Why the Exam Was Cancelled

The NTA stated that inputs received from central agencies and law enforcement authorities, when examined together, established that the examination process "could not be allowed to stand." The agency had on 8 May 2026 referred the matter to central agencies for independent verification, following a press release issued on 10 May 2026. Based on the investigative findings shared thereafter, the decision to cancel was finalised.

Reports of a possible paper leak had surfaced from Rajasthan after the 3 May examination. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) launched an investigation into the allegations. According to reports, investigators recovered a handwritten document in which nearly 120 questions allegedly matched the actual NEET question paper — including around 90 Biology questions and 30 Chemistry questions.

CBI to Conduct Comprehensive Inquiry

The Government of India has decided to hand over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations surrounding the examination. The NTA said it "will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires." This marks a significant escalation, bringing India's premier investigative agency into a controversy that directly affects lakhs of medical aspirants.

What Happens to Candidates

The NTA has clarified that no fresh registration will be required for the re-conducted examination. Registration data, candidature details, and examination centres opted for during the May 2026 cycle will remain valid. Additionally, the examination fee already paid by candidates will be refunded, and the re-examination will be conducted at no additional cost using the agency's internal resources.

Revised examination dates and reissued admit cards will be communicated through the NTA's official channels. The agency urged candidates and parents to "rely only on these official channels and to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media."

NTA Acknowledges Inconvenience, Defends Decision

The NTA acknowledged the "real and significant inconvenience" the cancellation and re-examination process would cause candidates and their families. However, the agency maintained that the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of the national examination system. "The alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust," the agency said in its official statement posted on social media platform X.

This is not the first time NEET-UG has been embroiled in controversy — a major paper leak scandal had rocked the NEET-UG 2024 examination, prompting widespread protests and parliamentary debate. The latest cancellation, coming just two years later, raises fresh questions about the structural safeguards in place for high-stakes national examinations. With the CBI now involved, the outcome of the probe is likely to have far-reaching implications for the future conduct of NEET and other NTA-administered tests.