Finance
The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 exam, which was held on May 3, and announced that it will be rescheduled for dates to be determined.
The NTA issued an official statement on the social media platform X, indicating that the decision was made after considering feedback from Central agencies and criminal enforcement officials on alleged anomalies in the test procedure.
“In continuation of its press release dated 10 May 2026, the National Testing Agency wishes to inform candidates, parents, and members of the public of the following decisions taken in respect of NEET (UG) 2026. NTA had, on 8 May 2026, referred the matters then under consideration to the central agencies for independent verification and necessary action, consistent with its standing commitment to the fair, secure, and credible conduct of the national examinations entrusted to it,” the agency said.
The NTA further stated that, based on the findings shared by investigative agencies and after coordination with Central authorities, the examination process could not be allowed to stand.
“On the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies and in order to ensure that there is transparency in the system, 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 statement added.
The agency also announced that 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 Government of India has further decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations therein. NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires,” NTA added.
“The inputs received by NTA, taken together with the findings shared by the 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,” the statement said.
The examination body acknowledged the inconvenience caused to students and parents due to the cancellation and re-examination process but maintained that the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of the national examination system.
“This decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests. The Agency is conscious that the re-conduct will cause real and significant inconvenience to candidates and their families. However, the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust,” the NTA said.
The agency emphasized that the registration data, candidature, and test centres selected during the May 2026 cycle will be valid for the re-conducted examination. No new registration will be necessary, and no additional examination cost will be collected.
The NTA also indicated that all examination fees previously paid by candidates would be returned, and that the re-examination will be done using the agency’s internal resources.
Further information about the amended examination schedule and reissued admit cards will be released through the agency’s official channels.
“Further communications, including the re-conducted examination dates and the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be issued through the official channels of the Agency. Candidates and parents are requested to rely only on these official channels and to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media,” the NTA said.
Meanwhile, reports of a suspected paper leak emerged from Rajasthan following the NEET-UG 2026 examination on May 3. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) has opened a probe following the claims.
According to sources, investigators discovered a handwritten suggestion paper containing around 120 questions that purportedly matched the actual NEET question paper, including approximately 90 Biology and 30 Chemistry questions.
