The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May following allegations of a paper leak, with the Government of India ordering a comprehensive inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NTA said the examination would be conducted afresh on dates to be announced separately, citing the need to preserve transparency and public confidence in the national examination system.

The decision follows inputs examined by the agency in coordination with central authorities, alongside findings shared by law enforcement agencies. According to the NTA, these developments made it untenable for the current examination process to stand.

“On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with 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, and to re-conduct the examination,” the agency said.

NEET-UG 2026, the entrance examination for undergraduate medical courses, was held across 551 cities in India and 14 overseas centres, with nearly 2.3 million candidates registered to sit the test.

The NTA confirmed that revised examination dates and a fresh admit-card schedule would be communicated through official channels in the coming days. Existing registration details, candidature and preferred examination centres from the May 2026 cycle will remain valid, meaning candidates will not be required to register again or pay an additional examination fee.

The agency also announced that fees already paid by candidates would be refunded, while the re-conducted examination would be organised using the NTA’s internal resources.

The matter has now been referred to the CBI for a full investigation into the alleged irregularities. The NTA said it would extend complete cooperation to investigators and provide all relevant records and materials required for the inquiry.

Acknowledging the disruption caused to students and families, the agency said the cancellation was necessary to avoid “greater and more lasting damage” to confidence in the examination system.

Earlier this week, the NTA had defended the integrity of the examination process, stating that question papers were transported in GPS-tracked vehicles equipped with unique watermark identifiers, while examination centres were monitored through AI-assisted CCTV surveillance from a central control room.

The agency said reports of alleged malpractice first emerged on the evening of 7 May, four days after the examination, and were subsequently referred to central agencies for verification and action.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) is investigating a “guess paper” allegedly circulated among students prior to the examination. Vishal Bansal, Additional Director General of the SOG, said investigators were examining claims that around 120 Chemistry-related questions from the document resembled those used in the examination.

The alleged guess paper, containing approximately 410 questions, is believed to have circulated among students between 15 days and one month before the test. Authorities are continuing to investigate the origins and distribution of the material.

Visuals of reaction from students