The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination held on May 3 amid allegations of a paper leak and other irregularities, and announced that the test would be conducted again on dates to be announced separately.
The Union Government has also referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations.
In a statement on X, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said the decision was taken in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
"On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately," the agency said.
The agency said the inputs received, taken together with findings shared by law enforcement agencies, established that the "present examination process could not be allowed to stand."
"The re-conducted examination dates, along with the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be communicated through the official channels of the Agency in the coming days," it added.
The NTA further said the government has decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations linked to the examination.
"NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires," it added.
"This decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests," NTA said.
The NTA asked the candidates, parents and other stakeholders to rely only on official communications from the NTA regarding the revised examination schedule.
According to the NTA, the registration data, candidature and examination centres opted for in the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward for the re-conducted examination.
"No fresh registration will be required, and no additional examination fee will be levied," the statement said, adding that fees already paid by students will be refunded and the examination will be re-conducted using NTA's internal resources.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) was conducted by the NTA on May 3 for students seeking admission to medical education courses at the undergraduate level.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the agency said question papers were transported in GPS-enabled vehicles with unique watermark identifiers, while exam centres were monitored through AI-assisted CCTV surveillance from a central control room.
The NTA also addressed reports related to alleged irregularities being investigated by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group. It stated that the examination was held as scheduled under a comprehensive security protocol. According to the agency, information regarding suspected malpractice surfaced on the evening of May 7 and was subsequently forwarded to central agencies on May 8 for independent verification and further action.
(With inputs from PTI)
