New Delhi, May 12
The Government of India has cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination held on May 3, following allegations of irregularities and possible malpractice in the national medical entrance test. The National Testing Agency said the examination will now be conducted again on fresh dates, which will be announced separately.
In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India to maintain transparency and preserve public trust in the examination system.
The agency stated that inputs examined in coordination with central agencies, along with findings shared by law enforcement authorities, raised serious concerns, prompting the current examination process to be scrapped.
The government has also ordered a comprehensive inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the allegations connected to the examination. The NTA said it will fully cooperate with the investigation and provide all necessary records and materials to the agency.
“The re-conducted examination dates, along with the fresh admit card schedule, will be communicated through official channels in the coming days,” the NTA said.
NEET UG is the country’s largest medical entrance examination conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses across India.
Earlier, the NTA had maintained that the May 3 examination was conducted under strict security arrangements. The agency had said question papers were transported in GPS-tracked vehicles with traceable watermark identifiers, while examination centres were monitored through AI-assisted CCTV surveillance from a central control room.
According to the NTA, information regarding suspected malpractice activities surfaced on May 7 and was immediately shared with central agencies for verification and further action. The agency also noted that recent detentions made by investigating authorities were the result of timely intervention by law enforcement agencies.
The cancellation is expected to affect lakhs of medical aspirants across the country, who will now have to reappear for the examination once the revised schedule is announced.
