New Delhi: Leave alone pens, they were not even allowed to carry handkerciefs into the exam centres, despite the sweltering May afternoon heat.
Such was the level of security for the 22.7 lakh students who appeared for the NEET UG 2026 on May 3 for admission to medical colleges across the country.
What most of them were not aware of is that a question paper leak would render their efforts useless.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the examination on Tuesday with the consent from the Government of India. The re-examination date will be announced subsequently.
The Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) has been investigating allegations that a so-called “guess paper” containing approximately 410 questions was circulated amongst students well before the examination, and that a significant number of those questions matched what actually appeared in the paper, ANI reported.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now taken over the matter.
It has been alleged by authorities that roughly 120 of the 410 questions in the guess paper actually appeared in the Chemistry section of the real examination, and that the material had been reaching students as early as 15 days to a month before the exam was held. The guess paper was reportedly also sent to students via WhatsApp as little as 42 hours before the examination began, as reported by NDTV.
“Our investigation is currently focused on determining whether any cheating or criminal activity has occurred based on this guess paper. We are actively examining this matter and are currently engaged in the investigative process. No, as of now, we have not made any arrests of any kind,” SOG ADG Vishal Bansal has been quoted by ANI as saying.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) had on Sunday issued a statement regarding the alleged irregularities linked to the NEET (UG) 2026 examination, following action initiated by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG).
NTA said that the exam of May 3 was conducted under “full security protocol” across all centres.
Question papers were transported in GPS-tracked vehicles bearing unique, traceable watermark identifiers. Examination halls operated under AI-assisted CCTV monitoring from a central control room, with biometric verification of every candidate and 5G jammers in operation, the NTA said.
It received inputs concerning alleged malpractice activity around the examination on May 7, the agency said.
“These inputs were escalated by NTA to central agencies on the morning of 8 May 2026 for independent verification and necessary action,” the statement said.
The incident has triggered widespread anger and anxiety among students and parents, many of whom have questioned the fairness of the process and expressed concern for honest aspirants preparing under intense pressure.
Members of the medical fraternity have also criticised the alleged irregularities, recalling the 2024 paper leak episode. Conducted across 551 Indian cities and 14 abroad, NEET-UG remains the sole gateway to medical admissions, making repeated integrity lapses fuel demands for a systemic overhaul.
