‘Most incompetent agency’: Re-NEET 2026 sparks student anger against NTA; 'unfair, harassment' say aspirants

NEET 2026 Cancelled: Amid the paper leak allegations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced to conduct the NEET 2026 re-test; however, a new date has not been finalised yet. NEET aspirants have expressed their anger on social media, calling this decision “unfair” and equal to “mental harassment” for students who appeared for the national-level medical entrance exam. NEET 2026 live updates

NTA conducted the NEET UG 2026 exam on May 3 for more than 22 lakh students. After the exam was conducted, several allegations of paper leak surfaced on social media, with claims that guess papers entailing around 60 questions, allegedly matching the actual exam, were circulated in Rajasthan.

As per the latest update by NTA on its X (formerly Twitter) account, the agency said the NEET UG 2026 exam conducted on May 3 stands cancelled based on the findings shared by law enforcement agencies and inputs received by NTA.

The new NEET 2026 exam date and admit card will be issued by the NTA soon. No re-registration will be required, and no additional exam fee will be levied, NTA said.

NEET Re-Test: 'Never expected', says aspirant

A 20-year-old aspirant from Patna, Divya Keshri, who appeared for her third attempt, said she had been hearing rumours about a paper leak but never expected the exam to be cancelled.

"I attempted NEET in 2024 too, and despite a much bigger controversy, the exam was not cancelled. Even in 2025, there were discussions on social media, but the exam was not called off," she told Careers360.

"NTA kept sending notices and posting on X and WhatsApp channels, saying the exam would be conducted smoothly. They asked students not to panic, but then ended up cancelling the exam. I had been tension-free for two weeks, and now I have to start revising again," she said.

Also read NMC junks 150-seat MBBS cap, population rule; sets 10 km limit for medical college-hospital distance

NEET aspirants blame NTA

After NTA posted on X and announced a re-exam for the NEET 2026, social media was flooded with students and educators reactions. A user posted on X and said the government needs to look into the paper leak matter and punish those responsible.

"It is time the Govt. seriously thinks about shutting down NTA. Honest efforts of the Govt to centralise everything have been let down by this body," a user posted on X.

While students called the move "unfair", highlighting the failure of the exam conducting agency, some experts and educators said it's a "right call."

"Cancelling NEET 2026 and ordering a re-exam was the only right call, there was no other way to protect the integrity of 24 lakh aspirants' futures. But a fresh exam alone is not enough. The CBI must now ensure that those who betrayed this trust face consequences they cannot escape," said Keshav Agrawal the President educators Federation.

Also read NEET UG 2026 Tie-Breaking Rule Explained: Here’s how ranks are decided

NEET Paper Leak: CBI to conduct inquiry

The government of India has decided to direct matters to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegation. The decision to hold the NEET re-exam 2026 was taken in the interest of students and to preserve trust in the national-level exam.

"NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires," NTA said on X.

Furthermore, NTA also acknowledged that conducting the re-test would create challenges for candidates and their families, but added that failing to act could have caused greater damage to the credibility of the exam process.