The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has strongly condemned the alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG 2026 examination and urged the government to take immediate action against the National Testing Agency (NTA) and those responsible for the malpractice. In a letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the IMA demanded decentralisation of the examination process by assigning greater responsibility to states and Union Territories to restore transparency and public trust.
IMA Expresses Deep Concern
The IMA expressed 'profound concern and deep disappointment' over the recurring controversies surrounding the medical entrance exam, stating that such irregularities have caused 'immense mental trauma, stress, hardship, and uncertainty' for lakhs of aspirants and their families. The association highlighted that over 22.5 lakh students appeared for NEET-UG 2026 across more than 551 cities and 5,500 centres nationwide, making the single-phase conduct with physical question papers 'an extremely challenging task' prone to leaks.
Demand for Online Mode and CBI Probe
The doctors' body demanded that NEET-UG be conducted entirely in online mode across all states and UTs to minimise the risk of paper leaks. It also called for a 'credible and time-bound' CBI investigation into the alleged leak, arrest of all culprits, setting up of special fast-track courts for daily hearings, and strict punishment under laws dealing with examination irregularities.
- Comprehensive investigation to identify all individuals and institutions linked to the leak.
- Advanced technological safeguards to prevent recurrence.
- Timely clarity on the re-examination schedule to reduce student anxiety.
- Establishment of counselling and support systems for affected aspirants and parents.
Upholding Ethics in Medical Profession
The IMA stated, 'The medical profession is built upon ethics, trust, and credibility. Therefore, the process of selecting future doctors must uphold these very same principles.' It added that recurring controversies have shaken the confidence of students who spend years preparing for medical admissions. 'India’s students are the architects of Viksit Bharat. They deserve the assurance that their future will be determined solely by merit, hard work, and honesty,' the association said.
The letter comes days after the NTA announced that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted on June 21, following the cancellation of the May 3 exam over allegations of large-scale irregularities and question paper leaks.
