NEET Exam Cancelled After Paper Leak: Bihar Solver Gang Bust Raises Fresh Concerns

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, citing serious irregularities including a suspected paper leak and organised cheating networks. A fresh examination will be held on a date to be announced soon after receiving government approval. 

The decision comes amid mounting evidence of leaks and the exposure of a sophisticated “paper solver” gang in Bihar that allegedly charged up to ₹60 lakh to help candidates secure seats.

Midnight vehicle check exposes network

On the night of May 2, police in Nalanda district’s Pawapuri police station intercepted two luxury SUVs — a Scorpio-N and a Brezza — during routine checking. Three persons were detained, including Awadhesh Kumar, an MBBS student of VIMS Medical College. Examination of his mobile phone yielded critical leads that unravelled a larger organised gang. 

Within days, Nalanda police arrested seven members. Further raids based on the primary accused’s identification were carried out in Muzaffarpur, Aurangabad, Jamui and other districts, leading to the arrest of four more individuals. All arrested persons have been sent to judicial custody. 

₹50-60 lakh deal for solvers

Investigations revealed the gang operated on a high-stakes model. It allegedly charged candidates between ₹50 lakh and ₹60 lakh per seat. An advance of ₹1.5 to 2 lakh was collected upfront, after which arrangements were made to replace the genuine candidate with a “solver” at the examination centre. 

Key operatives reportedly included Ujjwal Raj alias Raja Babu, Awadhesh Kumar and Aman Kumar Singh. Among those arrested later were Harshraj, son of a doctor from Sitamarhi, Manoj Kumar from Muzaffarpur, Gaurav Kumar from Bochahan, and Subhash Kumar from the Hathauri area. Police also recovered mobile phones and identity documents of several candidates. 

Rajasthan paper leak trail

Parallel to the Bihar arrests, disturbing details emerged from Rajasthan. Handwritten “guess papers” containing questions that closely matched the actual NEET paper were found with students in Sikar and surrounding areas. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested 13 suspects, including a career counsellor linked to a Sikar coaching institute, from Dehradun, Sikar and Jhunjhunu. 

Reports indicate that questions worth around 600 out of 720 marks had reached some students two days before the exam. A significant portion of these handwritten questions — reportedly over 150 — matched the final paper. Investigators are examining whether this constitutes a full paper leak or a sophisticated guess-paper operation circulated through social media and personal networks. 

NTA cites fairness concerns

According to the NTA, preliminary inputs from central agencies on May 8 prompted deeper scrutiny. After assessing the findings and obtaining necessary approvals, the agency decided to cancel the May 3 exam to protect the sanctity of the process. 

Students will not be required to register afresh. Existing application details, including exam centres, will remain valid. Fresh admit cards will be issued and the examination fee paid by candidates will be refunded.

Repeat of past controversies

The development echoes the 2024 NEET controversy when paper leak allegations surfaced from Bihar’s Patna and Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh. While the Supreme Court did not cancel the entire exam that year, a limited re-test was ordered for affected candidates. This time, the scale of reported irregularities and the involvement of an MBBS student in the solver gang have forced a complete cancellation. 

Impact on lakhs of aspirants

For over 20 lakh students who appeared for the exam, the cancellation means months of additional preparation under uncertainty. Many had travelled to distant centres and invested significant time and money. Coaching institutes and parents have expressed concern over the repeated disruptions to what remains India’s biggest medical entrance test. 

Police in Nalanda said raids are continuing to nab absconding members of the solver gang. Central agencies are meanwhile working to trace the full chain in the Rajasthan case, including possible links between coaching hubs and question paper handlers. 

The fresh NEET exam is expected to be conducted under tighter security protocols, though the exact schedule is awaited. For now, the focus remains on restoring credibility to a process that determines the future of India’s next generation of doctors. 

Mandatory Ayurvedic Faculty Registration Signals New Era for Ayurveda Education in India

India’s traditional medicine system is entering a decisive phase of transformation, as Ayurvedic faculty registration has now been made mandatory for educators in Ayurvedic colleges. The move, introduced under evolving regulatory norms, reflects a broader push to bring structure, accountability, and global credibility to Ayurveda education at a time when its relevance is expanding rapidly both within the country and abroad.

For decades, Ayurveda has remained one of India’s most valued knowledge systems, deeply rooted in cultural heritage and holistic healing practices. However, the academic framework supporting it has often faced criticism for uneven standards and lack of uniform regulatory enforcement. The introduction of mandatory registration for teaching faculty appears to be a direct response to these concerns, aiming to ensure that only qualified and verified professionals are entrusted with shaping future practitioners.

The timing of this reform is particularly significant. In recent years, Ayurveda has witnessed a renewed surge in popularity, driven by increasing awareness around natural healing, preventive healthcare, and wellness-based lifestyles. This rising demand has also led to a proliferation of Ayurvedic colleges and courses across India. While this expansion has created opportunities, it has simultaneously raised questions about the consistency and quality of education being delivered. In this context, Ayurvedic faculty registration is not merely an administrative step but a necessary intervention to safeguard academic integrity.

Under the new guidelines, faculty members are required to register with the relevant regulatory authority, most likely under the framework governed by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM). This registration is expected to act as a formal validation of their qualifications, teaching eligibility, and professional standing. Much like licensing systems in modern medical education, it introduces a mechanism of accountability that has long been considered essential but largely absent in traditional medicine teaching structures.

The implications of this reform are far-reaching. For Ayurvedic colleges, it marks a shift toward stricter compliance and more transparent hiring practices. Institutions will now have to ensure that every member of their teaching staff meets the prescribed criteria, which may involve revisiting existing appointments and strengthening internal verification processes. While this may pose short-term administrative challenges, it ultimately pushes institutions toward higher standards of academic excellence.

For students, the impact is expected to be overwhelmingly positive. Access to qualified and registered faculty members can significantly improve the quality of education, clinical training, and mentorship they receive. In a field like Ayurveda, where knowledge is both theoretical and practice-based, the role of a competent educator becomes even more critical. This reform, therefore, has the potential to directly influence the competence and confidence of future Ayurvedic professionals entering the healthcare system.

Experts in the field have largely welcomed the move, viewing it as a long-overdue step toward professionalization. Many believe that the absence of a robust regulatory mechanism for faculty has, in the past, allowed inconsistencies to persist. By mandating registration, authorities are effectively setting a benchmark that aligns Ayurveda education with global expectations. As one academic observer noted, such measures are essential if India aims to position Ayurveda as a credible and scientifically respected system on the international stage.

That said, the transition may not be entirely smooth. Concerns around implementation, particularly in smaller or rural institutions, are already being discussed. Some existing faculty members may face challenges in meeting updated requirements or completing registration processes within stipulated timelines. There is also the question of administrative efficiency, as regulatory bodies will need to handle a potentially large volume of applications without causing delays that could disrupt academic functioning.

Despite these challenges, the broader direction of the reform remains clear. The mandatory Ayurvedic faculty registration policy signals a commitment to strengthening the foundations of Ayurveda education rather than merely expanding its reach. It acknowledges that the future of this traditional system depends not just on its historical legacy, but on the quality and credibility of the professionals it produces.

In many ways, this move can be seen as part of a larger shift in how traditional knowledge systems are being integrated into modern frameworks. By introducing structured regulation without diluting the essence of Ayurveda, policymakers appear to be striking a balance between preservation and progress.

As Ayurveda continues to gain acceptance in global healthcare conversations, reforms like these will play a defining role in shaping its trajectory. The mandatory registration of faculty is more than a policy update; it is a statement of intent. It underscores the idea that for Ayurveda to thrive in the contemporary world, it must evolve with systems that ensure trust, transparency, and excellence at every level of education.