NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Rajasthan Paper Leak Row, CBI Ordered to Investigate

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of a large-scale paper leak linked to Rajasthan. The Union government has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the matter after preliminary findings suggested that several questions from the medical entrance test had been circulated before the examination.

The decision has affected more than 22 lakh candidates who appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), one of India’s biggest competitive examinations for admission to MBBS, BDS and other medical courses. The cancellation comes amid mounting criticism over the security and conduct of national-level recruitment and entrance examinations.

The controversy began after Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) reportedly recovered handwritten “guess papers” and digital material that closely matched a significant portion of the actual question paper. Investigators claimed that over 100 questions from the examination were similar to those circulated among select candidates before the test was held.

Officials involved in the investigation said several people linked to coaching centres, counselling agencies and suspected middlemen have been detained for questioning. Authorities are examining whether an organised interstate network was involved in leaking and distributing the paper to candidates in exchange for money.

Sources indicated that the leaked material may have been sold for amounts ranging from thousands of rupees to several lakhs depending on the level of access promised to students. The alleged network is believed to have connections across multiple states, including Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Kerala.

Following the revelations, the Ministry of Education held consultations with the NTA and senior officials before deciding to cancel the examination entirely. In an official statement, the NTA said the step was taken to protect the integrity, transparency and fairness of the examination process.

The agency announced that a fresh NEET-UG examination will now be conducted for all candidates. Revised dates for the re-examination are expected to be announced soon. Officials clarified that students would not have to submit fresh applications and that new admit cards would be issued ahead of the rescheduled test.

The Centre has also handed over the investigation to the CBI for a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged leak. The agency is expected to examine the role of individuals, coaching institutes and possible lapses in the examination security system. Investigators are likely to focus on how confidential papers were accessed and circulated before the examination day.

The cancellation has triggered anxiety and frustration among students and parents across the country. Many candidates expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding admissions and counselling schedules for the 2026 academic session. Student organisations have also staged protests demanding accountability and stronger safeguards to prevent future leaks.

Opposition parties criticised the government over repeated controversies involving competitive examinations and accused authorities of failing to maintain secure testing systems. Several political leaders called for structural reforms in the functioning of the NTA and demanded strict punishment for those responsible. Education experts warned that the repeated cancellation of major examinations could damage public trust in national testing systems. They stressed the need for improved digital monitoring, secure transportation of question papers and stricter surveillance at examination centres.