NTA cancels NEET 2026 exam held on 3 May amid probe over paper leak of 100+ questions; new test dates soon

The National Testing Agency on Tuesday announced that it has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026 in coordination and approval of the Government of India. New test dates will be announced in the coming days.

NTA to conduct NEET UG 2026 re-exam

“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," NTA's press release dated 12 May states.

According to the examination agency, the present national level examination process could not be allowed to stand considering inputs received by NTA, taken together with the findings shared by the law enforcement agencies.

Read more about how over 100 Biology and Chemistry questions allegedly matched guess papers here

Amid allegations that secrecy and sanctity to the whole system were not properly preserved, the independent and autonomous premier testing organisation said that the decision to re-conduct NEET UG exam was taken because the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust.

What did NTA say about NEET UG 2026 re-exam registration?

Over NEET UG 2026 re-exam registration, NTA said data, candidature, and examination centres opted for in the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward to the re-conducted examination. “No fresh registration will be required, and no additional examination fee will be levied. In addition, fees already paid, will be refunded to the students and the exam will be re-conducted using NTA’s internal resources,” NTA said.

NTA urged candidates and parents to rely only on official channels and to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media. It also issued helpline numbers 011-40759000 and 011-69227700, in addition to email ID — neet-ug@nta.ac.in.

How did NTA conduct NEET UG exam on 3 May?

Despite NTA's assurance that NEET UG question papers were transported in GPS-tracked vehicles carrying unique and traceable watermark identifiers, investigating agencies probe alleged irregularities linked to the medical entrance examination. From installation of 5G jammers and AI-assisted CCTV surveillance regulated from a central control room to screening of all candidates via biometric verification, NTA exercised “full security protocol” while conducting National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test [(NEET (UG)].

NTA was first informed about the alleged malpractice on the late evening of 7 May, four days after the examination had concluded. The issue was promptly escalated to central agencies on the morning of May 8 for “independent verification and necessary action”.

Officials, including those associated with Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG), said authorities recovered a document containing more than 400 questions, suggesting NEET exam paper leak. The integrity of the exam had allegedly been compromised, following the circulation of questions days before the examination.

Reports indicate that investigators found that over 100 questions from Biology and Chemistry which showed “striking similarities” to those that later appeared in the undergraduate medical entrance test held on 3 May. This matter will be taken up by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations.

Protests in Delhi over cancelled NEET-UG 2026 exam

After NTA's big announcement, workers of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) staged a protest against the central government. Students holding “Doctor degree on sale" demonstrated in the national capital, as can be seen in the visuals shared by news agency ANI.