SRINAGAR: The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, following investigative inputs reviewed jointly by the agency, central authorities and law enforcement agencies regarding alleged irregularities in the examination process.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India “to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the examination system.”
The agency said it had earlier referred the matter to central agencies on May 8 for independent verification and necessary action, consistent with its commitment to conducting fair and secure national examinations.
“On the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026,” the agency said in a statement posted on X.
According to NTA, the findings received from investigative agencies established that “the present examination process could not be allowed to stand.”
The Centre has also decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations linked to the examination. NTA said it would extend full cooperation to the agency and provide all necessary records and materials required for the investigation.
The agency acknowledged that the cancellation and re-conduct of the examination would cause “real and significant inconvenience” to students and their families, but maintained that allowing the examination to stand would have caused “greater and more lasting damage” to public trust in the national examination system.
NTA further clarified that the registration data, candidature and examination centres chosen during the May 2026 cycle would be carried forward for the re-conducted examination. It said no fresh registrations would be required and no additional examination fee would be charged.
“In addition, fees already paid will be refunded to the students and the exam will be re-conducted using NTA’s internal resources,” the agency stated.
Fresh dates for the re-conducted NEET-UG 2026 examination and the schedule for re-issued admit cards will be announced separately through official channels, the agency added.
Candidates and parents have been advised to rely solely on official communications issued by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and to disregard unverified information circulating on social media platforms.
The development has taken place amid rising political criticism over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak controversy. On Monday, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Union Government, seeking accountability and greater transparency in the conduct of the examination process.
Across the country, around 22.7 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET-UG examination. In Jammu and Kashmir, more than 50,000 MBBS and BDS aspirants appeared in the NEET-UG 2026 examination, competing for over 1,500 medical seats available in government medical institutions across the Union Territory.
