NTA paper leak: In a landmark move to safeguard the sanctity of national competitive examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET-UG following evidence that the process was “vitiated” by malpractices. Director General Abhishek Singh emphasized a “zero-tolerance” policy, asserting that the agency must “call the bluff” of miscreants, even when faced with the logistical and emotional burden of a nationwide re-test. The decision followed a May 7 tip-off regarding a leaked ‘guess paper’ containing 120 questions that appeared in the actual exam.
While the initial conduct on May 3 seemed seamless, the NTA acted swiftly once internal verifications confirmed the breach. The case has now been handed over to the CBI, as the government reaffirms its commitment to conducting a transparent, scam-free entrance process for aspiring medical students.
NEET-UG 2026 exam cancelled due to paper leak.
New re-exam date will be announced in 7-10 days.
⁰No new registration needed. Old fees will be refunded.
pic.twitter.com/8woZVMv2YH— ExtraOrdinary (@Extreo_) May 12, 2026
Zero Tolerance for Malpractice
The NTA’s decision marks a significant shift in how the agency handles allegations of paper leaks. Director General Abhishek Singh clarified that allowing even isolated incidents of fraud to pass would only embolden “scamsters” to repeat their actions. Despite the evaluation of OMR sheets being well underway and the initial transportation appearing secure, the discovery of a compromised paper necessitated an immediate halt to the 2024 cycle.
THIS IS ABSOLUTE ACCOUNTABILITY ESCAPE 🔥
REPORTER: NEET-UG cancelled after paper leak allegations. What do you say?
DHARMENDRA PRADHAN: 🤐🏃🏃🏃
Students will face the exam again. Parents will pay again. The minister ran away from one question. pic.twitter.com/kWJKllZQk5
— Mr Sharma (@sharma_views) May 12, 2026
The Investigation and the Breach
The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) provided critical evidence during the preliminary phase, identifying a ‘guess paper’ circulating prior to the exam. Of the 410 questions in that document, 120 were found to be identical to those on the official NEET-UG paper.
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Tip-off Received: May 7, four days after the exam.
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Action Taken: Verification by NTA followed by a formal referral to law enforcement.
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Current Status: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the probe to identify the source of the leak.
Future Measures and the Move to Digital
In response to the crisis, the Centre has established a seven-member committee led by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan. The committee’s primary recommendation involves transitioning from pen-and-paper OMR tests to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) across multiple shifts to minimize the risk of physical paper leaks.
While the NTA is prepared to implement such changes, Singh noted that the final decision rests with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission (NMC).
Key Details for Candidates
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Re-test Fees: The NTA has confirmed that candidates will not be charged any additional fees for the re-examination.
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Security: Enhanced guidelines and security protocols will be released alongside the new exam schedule to ensure a “scam-free” environment.
The NTA has cancelled NEET-UG after discovering a “vitiated” process involving a leaked ‘guess paper.’ Director General Abhishek Singh cited a zero-tolerance policy against scammers, handing the investigation to the CBI while considering a shift to computer-based testing.
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