NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled Amid Paper Leak Row; Union Education Minister Avoids Media Questions

New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday refused to answer media questions regarding the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination amid allegations of paper leak and large-scale irregularities in the conduct of the national medical entrance test.

Pradhan declined to comment when reporters sought his reaction to the controversy surrounding the examination, which was cancelled by the Centre earlier in the day following mounting concerns over the integrity of the process.
The Central Government announced that the NEET-UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3, would be re-conducted on fresh dates to be notified separately.

The matter has also been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive probe into the allegations of paper leak and malpractice.

In a statement, the National Testing Agency said the decision was taken after examining inputs received in coordination with central agencies. The agency stated that findings shared by law enforcement authorities raised serious concerns about the sanctity and fairness of the examination process.

The NTA clarified that registration details, candidature data and examination centres selected by candidates for the May 2026 cycle would remain valid for the re-test. It further stated that no fresh registration would be required and no additional examination fee would be charged from students.

NEET-UG, the single entrance examination for admission into MBBS, BDS and other undergraduate medical courses across the country, was held in pen-and-paper mode at over 5,400 centres across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. Around 22.79 lakh students appeared for the examination this year, making it one of the largest entrance examinations in the country.

Following the cancellation, uncertainty has gripped lakhs of aspirants and their families over revised examination dates, preparation schedules and admission timelines.

Meanwhile, the Congress demanded the resignation of the Education Minister, alleging repeated failures in conducting national-level examinations fairly and transparently.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also attacked the BJP-led government over the issue.  He said the hard work and sacrifices of more than 22 lakh students had been “crushed” by corruption and negligence.

He alleged that repeated paper leaks and irregularities reflected a deeper crisis in the country’s education system and called it “a crime against the future of the youth”.