• Source:JND

NEET UG 2026 Cancelled: The National Testing Agency (NTA) sent shockwaves across the country on May 12, 2026, by announcing the cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 examination, which had been conducted nationwide on May 3. The decision came after a serious paper leak controversy and a scandal involving so-called "guess papers" that had been widely circulating on social media before the exam. 

Also Read: NEET UG 2026 Cancelled: Government Orders Re-Exam And CBI Probe Amid Paper Leak Allegations

The most alarming aspect of the controversy is the reported similarity between the leaked material and the actual question paper. Investigative agencies allegedly recovered a "guess paper" containing over 100 questions,  with reports suggesting that approximately 140 questions in the actual exam matched those found in the pre-circulated material. This striking overlap raised serious doubts about the integrity of the examination and left little room for the authorities to defend its credibility.

The first red flags emerged from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, where initial reports of the leak surfaced. The Rajasthan SOG launched an investigation, and the controversy quickly snowballed at the national level. Despite mounting pressure, the NTA initially denied any possibility of a leak, claiming the exam was conducted under "full security protocols," including AI-CCTV surveillance, biometric verification, GPS tracking, and 5G jammers. However, the agency later admitted it received information about alleged irregularities on the evening of May 7, which it forwarded to central agencies on May 8, just days before the cancellation was announced.

The CBI has now been handed the investigation. In Delhi, students affiliated with the NSUI staged a protest outside the Ministry of Education, demanding accountability from the NTA and calling for sweeping reforms in India's examination system.

Approximately 22 to 24 lakh students who appeared for the exam will now have to retake it. The NTA has confirmed that a re-examination will be held and that students will not need to submit fresh application forms. However, dates are yet to be announced.

This is not the first time NEET has been mired in controversy. In 2024, nationwide protests erupted over paper leaks, grace marks, and exam topper irregularities, a case that eventually reached the Supreme Court. The 2026 episode has once again put India's high-stakes examination system under the spotlight.

Also Read: NEET UG 2026 Cancelled: No Fresh Registration, Fee Refund; Here's Everything Over 22 Lakh Students Must Know

NEET UG 2026 Cancelled: All Questions & Answers

Here are all the possible questions with their appropriate answers, which come to over 22 lakh students' minds as the NEET UG 2026 exam has been cancelled.

Q1. Why was NEET-UG 2026 cancelled? 

Answer: NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled following a paper leak and the controversy surrounding "guess papers." The most significant factor was the striking similarity between the question papers circulating before the exam and the actual question paper administered on May 3. It is alleged that approximately 140 questions in the actual examination matched those found in the purported "guess paper" circulating on social media before the exam.

Q2. When was the NEET-UG 2026 examination held?

Answer: The NEET-UG 2026 examination was held nationwide on May 3, 2026.

Q3. When was the decision to cancel the examination taken?

Answer: The NTA announced the cancellation of the examination on May 12, 2026.

Q4. Where did the first reports of the paper leak emerge from?

Answer: The initial reports regarding the leak emerged from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Subsequently, the Rajasthan SOG conducted an investigation, and the controversy continued to escalate.

Q5. What is the 'Guess Paper' controversy?

Answer: Investigative agencies recovered a purported "guess paper" containing over 100 questions that matched the actual NEET question paper. Following this discovery, doubts began to be raised regarding the credibility of the examination.

Q6. What was the NTA's stance on the paper leak before the cancellation?

Answer: Initially, the NTA denied the possibility of a paper leak, asserting that the examination was conducted under "full security protocols." The NTA stated that the exam infrastructure was equipped with AI-CCTV surveillance, biometric verification, GPS tracking, and 5G jammers, making a paper leak entirely out of the question.

Q7. When did the NTA receive information regarding the irregularities? 

Answer: According to the NTA, it received information regarding the alleged irregularities on the evening of May 7, which was subsequently forwarded to central agencies on May 8.

Q8. How many students have been affected?

Answer: Approximately 22 to 24 lakh students appeared for this examination and will now be required to retake the test.

Q9. What has the NTA stated regarding the re-examination and its schedule? 

Answer: The NTA has confirmed that the examination will be conducted again. Students will not be required to fill out fresh application forms. However, the specific dates for the re-examination have not yet been announced.

Q10. What was the reason behind the protests in Delhi?

Answer:  Students affiliated with the NSUI staged a protest outside the Ministry of Education following the paper leak and cancellation. The demonstrators demanded that the NTA be held accountable and called for comprehensive reforms within the examination system.

Q11. When has the NEET UG examination faced controversies in the past?

Answer: Two years ago, in 2024, nationwide protests erupted over issues concerning NEET paper leaks, the awarding of grace marks, and controversies surrounding the exam toppers. The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court.


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