NEET UG 2026: NMC, education ministry ask medical colleges to cancel leave to preserve exam 'sanctity'

Ahead of the NEET UG 2026 exam, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed medical colleges across the country to refrain from granting leave to students on May 2 and 3. The commission’s directive, in line with the education ministry’s order dated April 20, aims to safeguard the integrity of the MBBS, BDS college entrance examination, which is scheduled for May 3.

In official notification to all medical colleges, NMC has asked medical institutions to remain vigilant and ensure that students are “sensitized against any involvement in activities prejudicial to the conduct of the said examination.”

The commission also stated that there were instances reported in previous years NEET UG examinations where medical students were allegedly involved in malpractices affecting the sanctity of the NEET UG college entrance test.

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“It is requested that suitable instructions may be issued to all medical colleges to remain vigilant and ensure that students are sensitized against any involvement in activities prejudicial to the conduct of the examination,” it said.

It also clarified that medical colleges are advised not to grant leaves to students on May 2 and 3, other than in exceptional circumstances with due justification.

“This measure is intended as a preventive step to discourage any potential misuse and to support the fair conduct of the examination,” it added.

Last year, the ministry announced that a ‘fool-proof’ plan to prevent security lapses , irregularities, and paper leak allegations was being planned-out. Previous years' malpractices cases shook students’ trust and the integrity of the single-largest medical entrance test – NEET UG, the ministry said.

The NTA conducts the pen-and-paper NEET UG 2026 for admission to MBBS, BDS , BAMS, BHMS, BUMS (AYUSH), BSc nursing programmes at colleges accepting NEET UG scores.

The college entrance test is a gateway for admission to UG medical programmes at government, central, state, private, deemed universities, including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research).