NEET UG 2026 Rescheduled for June 21 After Leak Row

Synopsis: National Testing Agency announces that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21 after the original medical entrance test is cancelled due to a nationwide paper leak controversy.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted on June 21 following the cancellation of the earlier exam amid allegations of a major paper leak and examination irregularities. The decision affects more than 22 lakh medical aspirants across the country who had originally appeared for the examination on May 3.

According to the official notification, the re-exam will be conducted in pen-and-paper mode at designated centres nationwide. NTA stated that fresh admit cards will be issued to all candidates before the examination, while existing registrations and application details will remain valid. Students will not be required to submit fresh application forms or pay additional examination fees.

The Centre had cancelled the original NEET-UG 2026 examination after investigative agencies uncovered evidence suggesting that portions of the question paper had been circulated before the exam. The controversy triggered nationwide concern regarding examination integrity and fairness in one of India’s largest competitive entrance tests.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the alleged leak network, with multiple arrests and searches conducted across several states including Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Investigators are examining the role of coaching networks, courier channels, and suspected intermediaries involved in distributing leaked material before the examination.

NTA has advised candidates and parents to rely only on official communication channels for updates related to the re-examination, admit cards, city slips, and reporting instructions. The agency also warned students against misinformation circulating on social media regarding revised schedules and examination procedures.

The cancellation and re-examination have sparked widespread debate around the security of large-scale competitive examinations in India. Education experts and policymakers are increasingly calling for stronger digital safeguards, improved paper handling systems, and structural reforms in national testing processes to prevent future breaches.

Students are expected to receive fresh examination city details and admit cards closer to the revised examination date through the official National Testing Agency portal.