NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Rajasthan Paper Leak Allegations, CBI Probe Ordered

NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Rajasthan Paper Leak Allegations: CBI Probe Ordered

The NEET-UG 2026 examination, held on May 3, 2026, has been cancelled following serious allegations of a paper leak linked to Rajasthan. The National Testing Agency has announced that the exam will be conducted again, with fresh dates to be released separately. Government broadcaster DD News also reported that the cancellation was approved by the Government of India and that a CBI probe has been ordered.

Why was NEET-UG 2026 cancelled?

The decision came after law enforcement agencies shared inputs suggesting that the examination process may have been compromised. According to reports, Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group was investigating claims that a handwritten “guess paper” had circulated before the exam and allegedly matched a large number of questions from the actual NEET-UG paper. India Today reported that around 140 questions, carrying nearly 600 marks out of 720, were found to be similar to the circulated paper.

CBI to investigate the alleged leak

The Government of India has handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a detailed inquiry. The probe is expected to examine how the alleged guess paper was circulated, whether the leak happened at the printing or distribution stage, and whether any organised malpractice network was involved.

Reports also state that several people have been detained in Rajasthan as part of the investigation. The case has raised major concerns about exam security, especially because NEET is one of India’s biggest entrance exams.

What happens to students now?

NTA has said that NEET-UG 2026 will be conducted again. The new exam date will be announced through official channels. Candidates are expected to receive fresh admit cards before the re-exam.

As per the reports, students will not need to register again. Their existing application details are expected to be carried forward for the re-examination. India Today’s live updates also reported that fresh registration will not be required and re-exam details are awaited.

Key points for students

Students should keep checking only official NTA updates and avoid relying on unverified social media messages. Since the re-exam date has not been announced yet, candidates should continue revision and stay prepared.

The cancellation has created stress for lakhs of aspirants and their families, but authorities have stated that the step was necessary to protect fairness and transparency in the medical entrance system.

Bigger concern: Trust in entrance exams

The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 has once again put India’s examination security system under scrutiny. For an exam taken by lakhs of medical aspirants, even a small suspicion of paper leak can affect public trust.

By cancelling the exam and ordering a CBI probe, the government and NTA are trying to send a strong message against malpractice. However, the incident also highlights the urgent need for stronger paper security, better monitoring, and faster action against exam-related fraud.

Conclusion

NEET-UG 2026, held on May 3, has been cancelled after allegations of a paper leak in Rajasthan. A CBI investigation has been ordered, and NTA will conduct the exam again on a fresh date. Until then, students should stay calm, follow official announcements, and continue their preparation for the re-exam.