Six NEET aspirants have approached the Supreme Court alleging discrepancies between the answers they marked on their original OMR sheets and the scanned copies uploaded by the National Testing Agency (NTA), claiming the mismatch could adversely affect their medical admissions.

The petition comes at a crucial stage as the NEET counselling process is already underway, prompting the students to seek an urgent hearing before the apex court.

Supreme Court Agrees to List Matter

The matter was mentioned before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohan.

Appearing for the petitioners, counsel urged the court to hear the matter on priority, stating that only six students were involved and that counselling had already begun.

Responding to the request, the Chief Justice said, "We will list it," indicating that the matter would be taken up for hearing.

Students Allege OMR Discrepancies

According to the petition, the candidates found differences between the responses they had marked in the examination and those reflected in the scanned OMR sheets uploaded by the NTA.

The petitioners contend that the alleged discrepancies have resulted in lower scores, potentially affecting their eligibility for admission to medical colleges.

Their counsel informed the court that all six students had expected scores in the range of 600 to 650 marks, making the alleged errors significant in determining their final ranks and admission prospects.

Alleged Response from NTA

The students claim they repeatedly contacted the NTA through emails and also visited its office seeking correction of the alleged discrepancies.

However, according to the petition, their representations were not acted upon.

The counsel further alleged that an NTA official told the students, "Go to the Supreme Court. We don't bother about this," after they raised concerns regarding the OMR sheets.

The NTA has not publicly responded to these specific allegations.

Issue Surfaces During Counselling

The plea assumes significance as medical admissions based on NEET scores are currently in progress across the country.

The petitioners have argued that any delay in resolving the issue could cause irreversible prejudice to their admission opportunities.

NEET Reforms Under Judicial Scrutiny

The latest petition comes amid broader judicial scrutiny of the NEET examination process following the 2026 paper leak controversy.

The Supreme Court has recently emphasised the need for systemic and institutional reforms within the National Testing Agency to improve transparency and examination integrity.

Earlier, the NTA had released scanned copies of candidates' OMR answer sheets and provided an objection window before announcing the final results.

Meanwhile, similar disputes are also pending before other courts. The Bombay High Court is hearing a petition alleging discrepancies between expected and declared NEET scores, while the Delhi High Court is examining a case in which a student claimed that his score changed multiple times on the NTA portal.

The Supreme Court's decision in the present matter could have implications for the affected candidates as the counselling process continues.

The CBI has filed a nearly 20,000-page chargesheet in the NEET UG paper leak case before a fast-track court in Delhi, marking a major development in an investigation that triggered student protests and political controversy across the country. According to the information available, the agency has named 13 people as accused and gathered material linked to around 360 witnesses during its investigation. The probe also uncovered the use of code names such as “Kailash” and “Shivalik”, names taken from major mountain ranges, to identify two sets of question papers used for the NEET UG examination held on May 3. More than 22 lakh students seeking admission to medical colleges across the country had appeared for the examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The alleged paper leak later led to the cancellation of the examination and sparked widespread protests by students.

The CBI filed its chargesheet on Tuesday after completing a major part of its investigation in about 77 days. Among the 13 people named as accused are three subject experts associated with the NTA — biology expert Manisha Mandhare, chemistry expert Prahlad Vitthalrao Kulkarni and physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar. Investigators examined different stages of the examination process to understand where the alleged leak took place and how the question papers may have moved through the network. The “Kailash” and “Shivalik” code names have emerged as an important part of the investigation, with the two names reportedly being used for separate sets of NEET UG question papers. The large chargesheet includes documents and other material collected during the probe, along with details connected to hundreds of witnesses. The allegations against those named in the chargesheet, however, will now have to be examined and established before the court.

The NEET paper leak controversy went far beyond questions about the conduct of a single examination. After the exam was cancelled, protests spread to different parts of the country and the issue eventually reached Parliament. The agitation over examination irregularities also intensified political pressure on the government and was followed by the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. With the CBI now filing its nearly 20,000-page chargesheet, the case has entered an important legal phase. The focus will shift to the evidence presented before the fast-track court and the alleged roles of the 13 accused. The investigation has also brought scrutiny to people connected with the examination system itself, including NTA subject experts. What happens next will depend on how the court assesses the CBI's evidence, witness material and other records submitted with the chargesheet.

Salman, whose father Shahban runs a tea cart outside the Rewa Municipal Corporation office, scored 640 out of 720 marks in NEET after preparing for nearly two years with complete focus. His achievement has become an inspiring example for medical aspirants, particularly those coming from modest economic backgrounds.

For Shahban, earning enough money to support his family has never been easy. Every day, he serves tea to employees, officials and visitors outside the municipal office. Watching government officers regularly visit the office gradually shaped a dream in his mind—that one day his children would build careers that would change the family's future.

Despite limited income, Shahban ensured that both his sons received a quality education. He prioritised school fees and coaching expenses over many household comforts, believing that education was the only path to a better life.

Salman's preparation was built on discipline rather than expensive resources. According to his family, he deliberately stayed away from smartphones throughout his NEET preparation to minimise distractions. For nearly two years, he focused entirely on textbooks, classroom learning and regular revision instead of spending time on social media or digital entertainment.

His mother, Sitara Devi, also played an equally significant role in his journey. She said the family maintained an environment that allowed Salman to study without interruption. During late-night study sessions, she remained awake to prepare tea and meals whenever needed while continuing to manage household responsibilities and support her husband's tea business early each morning.

The family's sacrifices have now translated into one of the biggest achievements of their lives.

With an AIR of 2221, Salman is expected to secure admission to a government medical college for the MBBS programme. His long-term ambition is to specialise in cardiology after completing his medical education and contribute to healthcare as a heart specialist.

His success has also inspired his younger brother, Shahjaan, who has set his sights on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. According to the family, he dreams of becoming an IAS or IPS officer, continuing the family's journey of educational achievement.

Stories like Salman's continue to resonate because they underline an important reality: access to determination, discipline and family support can often matter more than financial privilege. While competitive examinations such as NEET demand years of consistent preparation, Salman's journey demonstrates that limited resources need not become a barrier to academic excellence.

Education experts often point out that sustained focus and effective time management play a crucial role in competitive examinations. Salman's decision to avoid smartphone distractions for two years has attracted attention as an example of maintaining concentration during preparation.

Following the announcement of the NEET results, neighbours, friends and local residents visited the family to congratulate them on the achievement. For Shahban, who continues to serve tea outside the municipal office, the success represents far more than an examination result—it marks the fulfilment of a dream that began while watching officers enter the government building each day.

Salman's achievement serves as another reminder that extraordinary success can emerge from ordinary circumstances when backed by perseverance, family support and unwavering commitment to education.

The protest was organised to support the Parliament March being held in Delhi. Students gathered at Park Circus carrying placards and raising slogans against what they described as the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.

The protesters alleged that police in Delhi had cracked down on peaceful participants and detained environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk. They further claimed that several students and youth were injured during the police action. Calling the response "undemocratic," the students urged authorities to engage in dialogue rather than resort to force.

Questions Over Examination Integrity

A major focus of the protest was the alleged NEET-2026 paper leak. The students argued that the incident was not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern of examination irregularities affecting recruitment and entrance tests across the country.

According to the protesters, repeated allegations of paper leaks and irregularities have eroded public confidence in the examination system and created uncertainty for lakhs of students preparing for competitive exams.

They alleged that the latest controversy demonstrated the need for stronger safeguards to ensure fair, transparent, and credible examinations.

"The NEET-2026 paper leak is another example of the failure to conduct fair and transparent examinations. Repeated paper leaks and irregularities have affected the future of lakhs of students across the country," the protesters alleged.

Demands for Accountability

During the demonstration, participants demanded accountability from authorities over alleged examination irregularities and called for reforms to restore trust in the country's recruitment and entrance examination process.

They also urged the government to protect the democratic right to peaceful protest, stating that public concerns should be addressed through discussion rather than coercive measures.

Peaceful Demonstration Under Police Watch

The protest remained peaceful throughout the event. Students continued raising slogans while police personnel were deployed at the venue to maintain law and order. No untoward incidents were reported during the demonstration.

The protest in Kolkata reflects growing concerns among sections of students over examination integrity and the handling of protests linked to education-related issues, as calls for transparency and accountability continue to feature prominently in student-led movements.

The current tie-breaking order
Under the tie-breaking policy the NTA has followed in recent years, when two or more candidates land on the exact same overall score, rank isn't decided by a draw of lots or by age — both of which were scrapped in earlier cycles. Instead, the agency works through a fixed sequence: candidates are first compared on their Biology (Botany and Zoology) marks, with the higher scorer ranked ahead. If that's still tied, Chemistry marks are compared next, followed by Physics. If candidates remain tied even after all three subjects are checked individually, the final step compares each candidate's ratio of incorrect to correct answers across all subjects — the candidate with a lower proportion of wrong answers relative to correct ones is ranked higher.

What this means for Gupta and Bansal
Even though both candidates ended up with the same total of 715 marks, their subject-wise performance in Biology, Chemistry or Physics — or their incorrect-to-correct answer ratio, if it came down to that final step — wasn't identical. Whichever of the two performed marginally better on the first subject where a difference existed would be placed ahead in the official merit list, even though public messaging and much of the initial media coverage rounded both off as sharing the top rank given their equal marks.

Why this distinction actually matters
For most students, a rank difference within the very top bracket might look academic, but in NEET counselling, even a gap of one or two ranks at the top can matter when institutions like AIIMS Delhi have only a handful of open seats and admission comes down to exact rank order rather than score alone.

The broader tie-breaking history
NTA's approach to this has shifted several times over the years — age was removed as a factor in 2021, application number and age were both dropped in the 2023 revision, and the current subject-wise-then-ratio method has been the standard since. This year's Gupta-Bansal case is a fairly clean real-world illustration of how that current system actually plays out when two candidates finish with identical overall scores.

Candidates checking their own NEET 2026 rank should keep this in mind if their marks match another candidate's total but their ranks differ — it isn't an error, it reflects the same subject-wise tie-break sequence now working out in the official merit order.

The NIRF picture
According to the latest NIRF rankings, AIIMS Delhi holds the No. 1 spot in the medical category, followed by PGIMER Chandigarh and CMC Vellore. Rounding out the top tier are institutions like JIPMER Puducherry, SGPGIMS Lucknow, IMS-BHU (Banaras Hindu University) and KGMU (King George's Medical University, Lucknow) — all consistently featuring among India's most competitive government medical colleges.

How competitive is AIIMS Delhi specifically
AIIMS Delhi offers 132 MBBS seats — 125 for Indian nationals and 7 for foreign nationals — at tuition fees under ₹7,000 a year. Its NEET cutoff for the General category typically sits above the 99.999 percentile, and securing a seat generally means finishing within the top 50 All India Rank. Other AIIMS campuses are considerably more accessible by comparison, with closing ranks typically falling between AIR 500 and 5,000 depending on category and specific campus — AIIMS Jodhpur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar and Rishikesh follow Delhi in competitiveness, while newer AIIMS campuses close at comparatively lower ranks.

What score you actually need
As a general rule, candidates need 650+ marks to remain in genuine contention for any AIIMS campus, and 680+ for the more established ones, with reserved-category cutoffs running roughly 30 to 80 marks lower depending on the specific institute. Outside AIIMS, government MBBS admission through the All India Quota typically requires 610 to 630+ marks for General category candidates, around 590+ for OBC, roughly 520+ for SC, and around 490-550+ for ST — though these figures shift slightly each year based on exam difficulty and the number of applicants.

Other top-ranked options beyond the big names
Beyond the institutions above, several other colleges regularly feature in NEET aspirants' shortlists once AIIMS Delhi is out of reach: Madras Medical College in Chennai, the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune, Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi, and a cluster of well-regarded private and deemed universities including Christian Medical College Vellore, Manipal's KMC, and Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.

A key distinction to keep in mind
NEET has two different cutoffs that aspirants often confuse: a qualifying cutoff, which is simply the minimum percentile needed to pass the exam and become eligible for counselling, and a much higher admission cutoff, which is what actually determines whether a candidate gets into a specific government MBBS college. Clearing NEET doesn't guarantee a government seat — the real competition begins at the counselling stage.

What to do after results
Once NEET 2026 results are declared, the process runs through checking your score and All India Rank, registering separately for All India Quota counselling and your home state's quota counselling, filling in college preferences based on realistic cutoff expectations, and going through multiple rounds of seat allotment before final admission and document verification. Since 2020, NEET has been the sole gateway to every medical college in India — government, private, deemed, and central institutions like AIIMS and JIPMER alike — with no separate entrance tests for any of them anymore.

The two accused were produced before the court after the expiry of their earlier judicial custody period. Special CBI Judge Ajay Gupta passed the order on an application moved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which sought an extension of their custody as the investigation continues.

Representing the agency, Public Prosecutor Neetu Singh argued for the extension before the court. The matter remains under active investigation by the CBI, which is probing an alleged network involved in obtaining and distributing leaked examination papers ahead of the national-level medical entrance test.

According to investigators, the case has so far led to the arrest of 12 individuals. Those arrested include Mangi Lal Bival, Vikas Bival, Dinesh Bival, Yash Yadav, Shubham Khairnar, Manisha Waghmare, Prahlad Kulkarni, Dhananjay Lokhande, Manisha Mandhare, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar and Dr Manoj Shirure. All the accused are currently lodged in judicial custody.

The case has attracted significant attention due to the seriousness of the allegations and the scale of the examination involved. NEET-UG is one of India’s largest entrance examinations, conducted annually for admission to undergraduate medical courses across the country.

The court has also passed several interim orders in the matter over the past few weeks. Earlier, accused Yash Yadav was permitted to appear in the re-conducted NEET-UG examination held on June 21 and was also allowed to attend his sister’s wedding on June 22. In a separate order, the court rejected the regular bail application filed by accused Manisha Waghmare.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed by a government official on May 12, 2026. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act and laws related to the use of unfair means in public examinations.

According to the CBI, Mangi Lal Bival allegedly approached Shubham Khairnar to obtain the NEET-UG question paper for his son, Vikas Bival. Investigators claim that leaked examination material was recovered from Mangi Lal Bival’s mobile phone during the probe.

The agency has further alleged that Mangi Lal Bival procured the leaked paper from Yash Yadav for ₹10 lakh and subsequently facilitated its circulation to other candidates. During questioning, Vikas Bival reportedly admitted that he came in contact with Yash Yadav while attending coaching classes in Rajasthan’s Sikar district.

CBI officials believe the accused were part of a larger conspiracy involving the procurement and sale of confidential examination material. The agency has alleged that leaked papers were sold to candidates for amounts reaching up to ₹12 lakh.

The developments come amid continued scrutiny of examination security mechanisms and concerns over malpractice in competitive recruitment and admission tests. Investigators are examining financial transactions, digital evidence and communication records to establish the extent of the alleged network.

With the court extending the judicial custody of two key accused, the investigation is expected to continue in the coming days. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 11.

Jabalpur is on high alert Saturday as President Droupadi Murmu arrives for a two-day visit that will see her attend the state-level International Yoga Day celebrations and the 36th convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya — all while the city's administration simultaneously manages a re-NEET examination for over ten thousand students.

Murmu is scheduled to land at Dumna Airport at 6.10 pm aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft flying in from Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal. Governor Mangubhai Patel will receive her on arrival, along with Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar and senior police and administrative officials. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav is also expected to reach Jabalpur separately around 8 pm. The President will stay overnight at Circuit House No. 1.

Security arrangements across the city are extensive. Over 3,000 personnel have been deployed along the entire route from Dumna Airport through to the Circuit House, Garrison Ground and the university campus. Railway Protection Force teams are active at the railway station, with dog squads conducting checks. A 15-kilometre no-fly zone has been declared covering Dumna Airport, Circuit House No. 1, MES Rest House, Garrison Ground, RDVV and the full VVIP route. Drones, UAVs, paragliders, hot air balloons, kites and any other airborne objects are prohibited in the restricted zone. Collector Raghavendra Singh, acting on a report by SP Sampat Upadhyay, has issued orders that violations will attract action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Sunday morning begins early. Murmu will leave the Circuit House at 7.05 am and reach Garrison Ground in Sadar by 7.20 am, where the state-level Yoga Day programme begins at 7.30 am. She will preside as chief guest over the mass yoga session before returning to the Circuit House by 8.35 am.

The RDVV convocation follows at 11.50 am. Students from various faculties will receive degrees and gold medals in a ceremony running until 12.50 pm. However, the event has not been without controversy — hundreds of research scholars and gold medallists who travelled from across the country have alleged that the university administration informed them at the last moment that only 20 selected students would be called on stage to receive honours directly from the President. The researchers have accused the university of bias and discrimination in the selection process.

After the convocation, Murmu will head directly to Dumna Airport and depart for Gwalior at 1.20 pm.

The re-NEET examination adds a significant logistical layer to Sunday's arrangements. Twenty-three examination centres have been set up across the district, with more than 10,000 students expected to appear. The state government has assigned the Collector overall responsibility for examination logistics. In what officials described as a first-of-its-kind arrangement, government buses will ferry students from Pantinaka Chowk to various examination centres until noon. Temporary sheds with coolers, fans, drinking water and snacks are being set up for accompanying family members waiting outside. A helpline number — 7049158826 — has been made available for students or families facing transport-related difficulties.

Murmu had on Friday attended the World Sickle Cell Day programme at Onkareshwar in Khargone district before proceeding to Jabalpur.

With the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled for June 21, authorities in Madhya Pradesh have intensified preparations to ensure smooth travel and crowd management for thousands of candidates appearing for the examination. The Bhopal Division of West Central Railway has announced a series of measures aimed at facilitating the movement of students and their families across key examination centers in the region.

The examination will be conducted in Bhopal, Guna, Vidisha, Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad), and Ashoknagar. Officials expect the highest number of candidates in Bhopal, where 13,774 students are likely to appear for the test. Other districts are expected to host 1,839 candidates in Guna, 1,709 in Vidisha, 1,283 in Narmadapuram, and 865 in Ashoknagar.

Given the anticipated increase in passenger traffic, railway authorities have placed special emphasis on crowd control, passenger guidance, and train punctuality.

Special Arrangements at Railway Stations

According to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Saurabh Kataria, comprehensive arrangements have been made at all major stations under the Bhopal Railway Division to ensure a hassle-free experience for examinees.

Special crowd management measures will be implemented at station premises, entry and exit gates, and platforms. Additional personnel from the Commercial Department, Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Operations Department will be deployed to manage passenger movement and maintain order.

Railway officials have also activated dedicated announcement systems to provide real-time information and guidance to passengers. These announcements will help students navigate stations efficiently and reach their destinations on time.

Focus on Passenger Assistance

Authorities have planned queue management systems and barricading arrangements to regulate passenger flow at busy locations. Special assistance desks and guidance facilities will also be available to help candidates traveling to examination centers.

Officials stated that railway staff would be stationed at key points to provide directions and support to students unfamiliar with local transit arrangements.

The division has instructed all concerned departments to remain alert and prepared to respond to any unexpected surge in passenger traffic or operational challenges during the examination period.

Emphasis on Train Punctuality

Maintaining train schedules is another key priority for railway authorities. Special monitoring will be carried out at stations connected to examination centers to ensure smooth operations throughout the day.

Officials have been directed to take all necessary measures to keep train services running on time, particularly those trains that pass through or halt at stations serving major NEET examination centers.

The objective is to minimize travel disruptions and ensure that candidates reach their examination venues without delay.

Large Candidate Turnout Expected

NEET is one of India's most competitive entrance examinations, serving as the gateway for admission to undergraduate medical courses across the country. Every year, the examination witnesses large-scale movement of students and guardians, placing additional pressure on transportation infrastructure.

With more than 19,000 candidates expected across the five districts under the Bhopal Division's jurisdiction, railway authorities are treating the event as a major operational exercise requiring coordinated planning and execution.

As the examination date approaches, officials have appealed to students and their families to plan their journeys in advance, arrive at stations early, and follow railway instructions to ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered a temporary ban on messaging platform Telegram in India under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The restriction will remain in effect until June 22, covering the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.

The government has also directed Telegram to disable its message editing feature in India until June 30, even after the exam lifts. This means users will not be able to edit previously sent messages during this period.

According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the action was taken because certain individuals were using Telegram's edit function to create fake evidence of paper leaks in national-level examinations. "Some people would edit old messages and add question papers or PDFs to them. Later, it was claimed that the paper had leaked before the exam," an NTA press release stated.

Multiple channels demanding money for exam papers

The agency said several Telegram channels were operating under names like "Paper Leaked NEET", "Re-NEET 2026", "Private Mafia", and "REE NEET MAFIAA". Officials said these channels were demanding thousands to lakhs of rupees from students and parents in exchange for purported exam papers.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), in collaboration with Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan Police, has already taken action against several Telegram channels, groups, and bots. The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested members of an interstate cyber fraud gang linked to the racket.

Investigations have so far revealed eight Telegram channels, transactions worth approximately ₹1.5 crore, and about 1,000 mobile numbers connected to the fraud, police sources said.

NTA: Ban last resort, inconvenience unavoidable

The NTA acknowledged the ban might inconvenience general users but defended the move as a last resort. "Prior to this, several steps were taken, including the removal of objectionable content. This decision was necessary to maintain the fairness of examinations," the agency said.

The NEET-UG examination, originally conducted on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of question paper leaks in several states. The NTA scrapped the exam on May 12 after investigation found indications of irregularities. The re-examination will now be held on June 21.

Changes made for re-exam

The NTA has increased the exam duration from 180 minutes to 195 minutes for the re-test. Space for rough work has also been expanded in the answer sheet.

NEET serves as the gateway to over 1 lakh medical seats across India, including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, nursing, and other courses at premier institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER.

The agency has advised students not to trust unconfirmed information circulating on social media and to rely only on official updates at neet.nta.nic.in. Further details on the ban's enforcement are awaited.

The alleged NEET 2026 paper leak controversy continued to trigger political protests in Madhya Pradesh as the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) announced a demonstration outside the residence of the state Deputy Chief Minister on May 19 in Rewa. The student organisation accused the Centre of failing to protect the integrity of national-level examinations and demanded immediate structural reforms in the testing system.

The announcement came during a press conference held in Rewa on Sunday, where NSUI district president Pankaj Upadhyay said party workers and students would protest by ringing bells and blowing conch shells outside the Deputy CM’s residence. The protest, according to NSUI leaders, aims to highlight what they described as the “silence of public representatives” on repeated examination controversies.

Protest Call Issued

Under its “NEET 2026 Nyay Abhiyan”, the NSUI placed a series of demands before the Centre and examining authorities. The organisation called for the immediate dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), alleging repeated failures in conducting transparent and secure examinations. The student body also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged lapses in the examination process. NSUI leaders further sought a Supreme Court-monitored CBI investigation into the matter, claiming that only an independent inquiry could establish accountability in the case.

Demands Over Students

Apart from demanding punitive action, the organisation raised concerns over the mental and financial stress faced by students due to repeated examination controversies. NSUI leaders said students affected by the alleged paper leak should receive free mental health counselling and legal assistance. They also demanded that if a re-examination is conducted, the government should provide free travel and accommodation facilities to candidates. According to organisation members, lakhs of students and parents across the country continue to face uncertainty amid reports related to examination irregularities.

Questions On System

During the press conference, NSUI leaders referred to previous controversies linked to national entrance examinations, including the 2015 AIPMT paper leak case and allegations surrounding NEET examinations in recent years. They argued that repeated incidents have raised serious questions over the credibility of the country’s examination system. The organisation also demanded an investigation into the role of coaching hubs such as Kota, Sikar and Jaipur in alleged paper leak networks. NSUI representatives said merely conducting a re-test would not solve deeper systemic issues linked to examination security and accountability.

Congress Joins Protest

Before the NSUI announcement, Congress workers in Rewa also staged a protest over the NEET 2026 issue. Party workers organised a torch march in the city and raised slogans against the Central government. The protestors alleged that repeated examination controversies were damaging the future of students and eroding public confidence in the education system. Congress leaders demanded strict action against those responsible for any irregularities and called for stronger safeguards to ensure transparency in competitive examinations.

Political Heat Rises

The issue has started gaining political traction in Madhya Pradesh as opposition parties attempt to corner the Centre over alleged failures in examination management.

The NEET controversy has already sparked protests in several states, with student organisations demanding reforms in the functioning of the NTA. Opposition leaders have accused the government of failing to prevent leaks despite previous incidents and warnings. Government agencies, however, have maintained that investigations into examination-related irregularities are being conducted as per procedure. No official statement regarding the Rewa protest announcement had been issued till Sunday evening.

Impact On Aspirants

Education experts believe repeated controversies surrounding entrance examinations could impact the trust of students preparing for highly competitive medical and engineering tests. The uncertainty over examination schedules, investigations and possible re-tests has also increased anxiety among aspirants and parents. Student groups have been demanding long-term reforms, including stronger digital monitoring systems and stricter anti-cheating laws. The alleged NEET 2026 paper leak issue has now become a major public interest story, drawing attention from political parties, student organisations and coaching centres across the country.

NSUI leaders said preparations for the May 19 protest are underway and workers from different parts of the district are expected to participate. Security arrangements are also likely to be reviewed by local authorities ahead of the demonstration.

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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.