NEET UG 2026 Cancelled — Paper Leak Confirmed, Re-Exam Announced, CBI Probe Ordered

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026. The announcement was made via official press release on May 12, 2026.

The cancellation comes after confirmed inputs from central agencies and law enforcement authorities regarding irregularities in the examination process — specifically, a question paper leak traced to Rajasthan.

What happened: After the NEET exam on May 3, a hostel operator in Sikar, Rajasthan cross-checked a circulated guess paper with the actual NEET question paper and found near-exact matches in Biology and Chemistry sections. NTA was alerted, and on May 8 referred the matter to central agencies. The investigation revealed the paper was leaked from a printing press chain in Nashik and reached Sikar through multiple intermediaries.

What NTA said: "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 decision was taken with approval of the Government of India.

What this means for students: The May 3 exam result will NOT be declared. All scores from this attempt are void. Students must prepare for a fresh exam on new dates. The good news — no new registration or fee is required. Your existing application, candidature, and exam centre preferences remain valid.

Re-Exam details: NTA will announce new exam dates through the official website neet.nta.nic.in. New admit cards will be issued. The syllabus and exam pattern remain unchanged — 180 MCQs, 720 marks, 3 hours 20 minutes.

CBI investigation: The Government of India has referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry. This is the second NEET paper leak controversy in recent years — the 2024 exam also faced similar allegations.

What students should do right now: Continue your revision. The syllabus is unchanged, so use this extra time to strengthen weak areas. Do NOT rely on social media for re-exam dates — check only neet.nta.nic.in. For exam preparation resources, check our competitive exam guides. If you're considering other medical entrance options, explore our exam comparison section.

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Published: 2026-05-13 • Source: Official government press releases and notifications.