SRINAGAR: The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday announced that the re-examination for NEET-UG 2026 will be conducted on June 21 following the cancellation of the medical entrance examination amid allegations of large-scale irregularities and a suspected paper leak.
The decision comes days after the NTA cancelled the examination and handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive probe into the alleged malpractice that has triggered concern and outrage among students and parents across the country.
“The National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has scheduled the re-examination of NEET (UG) 2026 on Sunday, June 21, 2026,” a senior official said.
The announcement followed a high-level review meeting held late Thursday evening at the residence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to assess preparations for conducting the examination afresh.
The alleged NEET-UG paper leak has emerged as one of the most serious controversies affecting students nationwide, prompting a multi-state investigation led by the CBI.
So far, the agency has arrested five persons in connection with the case. Those arrested include Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal, and Dinesh Biwal from Jaipur, Yash Yadav from Gurugram, and Shubham Khairnar from Nashik.
Investigators are also questioning several suspects in different cities, while officials indicated that more arrests are likely in the coming days.
According to officials, Shubham Khairnar, 30, is being brought to Delhi for further questioning after a court granted the CBI transit remand. He was earlier detained by Nashik Police on the request of Rajasthan Police.
The CBI, which took over the probe earlier this week, has conducted searches at multiple locations across the country. Officials said several digital devices, including mobile phones and laptops, have been seized for forensic examination to determine whether messaging applications were used to circulate the leaked examination paper.
The agency is also coordinating closely with Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG), which had initiated the preliminary investigation into the alleged leak.
Sources said investigators are pursuing multiple leads through technical and forensic analysis and have assured that the probe will be comprehensive, impartial, and professional.
The investigation has also reached the headquarters of the National Testing Agency in New Delhi, where CBI officials collected documents related to the cancelled examination and interacted with officials associated with the conduct of the test.
Meanwhile, the issue has triggered political controversy in Rajasthan.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that one of the accused, Dinesh Biwal, had links with the BJP and shared a social media poster claiming that Biwal held a position in the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.
However, BJP leaders denied the allegations, maintaining that Biwal did not hold any official position in the party.
Family members of some accused persons have also claimed innocence, alleging false implication in the case.
The Rajasthan SOG has detained several individuals from Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Alwar, and nearby areas during the ongoing investigation.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo called for a transparent investigation into the alleged paper leak and said deserving students should not suffer because of the actions of a few individuals.
She stressed the need for accountability at every level and demanded strict action against all those responsible for compromising the integrity of the examination system.
As the probe deepens, investigators believe the alleged leak may have originated in Pune, Maharashtra.
The CBI has detained another accused, Omkar Shingote, an Ayurvedic doctor from the Junnar area of Pune district. Investigators suspect that Shingote and another accused, Dhananjay Lokhande from Ahilyanagar, were involved in helping students secure admissions to medical colleges.
Another accused, Manisha Waghmare, a beautician by profession, has also been detained.
According to investigators, the question paper allegedly reached Rajasthan through Yash Yadav, who was reportedly known to Vikas Biwal.
Police sources claimed that Dinesh Biwal scanned the hard copy of the paper, converted it into PDF files, and circulated them among students enrolled in coaching centres in Sikar.
Students questioned during the investigation reportedly told officials that they paid between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh to obtain the leaked paper.
Investigators also alleged that a career guidance centre operator purchased the paper for nearly Rs 15 lakh.
So far, Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group has arrested 15 persons in connection with the case, including alleged mastermind Manish Yadav and consultancy operator Rakesh Mandwaria.
The controversy has also sparked protests in Jammu, where the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress and Youth Congress staged demonstrations at Shaheedi Chowk demanding a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the alleged scam.
Senior Congress leaders, including Raman Bhalla, criticised the Central Government over repeated controversies surrounding national-level examinations.
Protesters raised slogans, burnt an effigy of the Union Education Minister, and demanded accountability and reforms in the examination system.
Congress leaders said repeated paper leaks and examination irregularities were jeopardising the future of lakhs of students preparing for competitive examinations and called for stronger safeguards to restore public confidence in the system.
The NEET-UG examination is among the country’s most competitive entrance tests for admission to undergraduate medical courses, and the alleged breach in its conduct has caused widespread anxiety among students and parents awaiting clarity on the examination process and investigation.
