The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination that was conducted on May 3, 2026, following suspicions of a paper leak. The decision was announced via an official statement on NTA's X account on May 12, 2026. The agency stated that the test will be conducted again on dates to be notified separately.
Government Approval and Investigation
In its statement, NTA said the cancellation was made “with the approval of the Government of India” after reviewing inputs from central agencies and investigative findings shared by law enforcement authorities. The agency emphasized that “the present examination process could not be allowed to stand.”
Re-examination Schedule
Fresh examination dates and revised admit-card schedules will be communicated through official channels in the coming days. NTA urged candidates and parents to rely only on official notifications and avoid unverified reports on social media.
The matter had earlier been referred to central agencies on May 8, 2026, for “independent verification and necessary action” to ensure the “fair, secure, and credible conduct” of national examinations.
CBI Inquiry Ordered
The Government of India has also decided to refer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations. NTA will provide “all materials, records, and assistance” required by the investigating agency.
Paper Leak Suspicions
Suspicions of a paper leak deepened as the Special Operations Group (SOG) probed claims that questions worth 600 marks were compromised, along with allegations of a multi-state network and circulation trail.
Impact on Students
NTA acknowledged that the re-conduct of the examination would cause “real and significant inconvenience” to candidates but stated that the decision was taken “in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests.”
Registration and Fees
Registration data, candidature details, and examination centres selected during the May 2026 cycle will remain valid for the re-conducted examination. No fresh registration process is required. Additionally, no extra examination fee will be charged, and fees already paid will be refunded. The re-conducted examination will be organized using NTA's internal resources.
Candidates can contact NTA through official helpline numbers and email for further assistance.
