Kullu , May 13
The cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) by the National Testing Agency has triggered widespread disappointment and anger among lakhs of students across the country, many of whom believe their months and years of hard work have gone in vain.
Students alleged that the NTA failed to ensure adequate security arrangements to prevent incidents like paper leaks, ultimately putting the future of countless aspirants at risk. Many candidates said they had prepared tirelessly for the examination in hopes of securing admission to medical colleges this year, but the sudden cancellation has forced them to start over.
The decision has also increased the financial burden on families, as students may now have to spend more on coaching and study materials. Coaching institutes in several areas reported seeing students in distress following the announcement.
Geeta, a student from Kullu, said she had been preparing for NEET for the past two years and was expecting to score over 600 marks. She said the cancellation has left her anxious about preparing once again and uncertain about her future performance.
Another student, Sonesh Thakur, said he had dedicated the last year entirely to exam preparation and believed he had performed well. However, he questioned why the NTA could not maintain strict security measures during the handling of examination papers, similar to the strict monitoring imposed on students inside examination centres.
Student Bhumika said she had isolated herself from friends and relatives to focus entirely on studies and had invested heavily in professional coaching. She said the cancellation has shattered students’ confidence and raised fears that future exams will also face similar controversies.
Another aspirant, Jyoti, pointed out that many students from economically weaker families had spent significant amounts on coaching. She said the alleged paper leak has negatively impacted the future of lakhs of deserving students and urged authorities to ensure transparency and security in future examinations.
Meanwhile, Suresh Kumar, principal of Kullu Convent School, said the cancellation has deeply affected students emotionally and mentally. Holding the NTA responsible for the situation, he said students are now being forced to prepare again despite their intense efforts over the past months.
He added that the school would provide free coaching support to affected students for the next NEET examination so that they do not face additional financial hardship while preparing again.
