NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled After Rajasthan Paper Leak, CBI Takes Over; 23 Lakh Students Affected

CBI to investigate nationwide cheating network as handwritten 'question bank' with 150 matching questions surfaces days before the 3 May exam

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on 3 May, citing a serious breach of credibility following a paper leak traced to Rajasthan. The decision, approved by the Government of India, affects nearly 23 lakh students who appeared for the medical entrance test.

The cancellation came after investigators uncovered a handwritten "guess paper" that reportedly reached students in Sikar and Jaipur as early as 1 May — two full days before the exam was conducted.

CBI Brings In

The Ministry of Education has handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which will now probe the alleged cheating network across multiple states. NTA officials confirmed full cooperation, adding that all records, response sheets, and digital trail logs will be shared with the central agency.

Sources familiar with the probe said the CBI is likely to summon at least 15 detained suspects currently in custody of Rajasthan's Special Operations Group (SOG). Among them is Manish from Jaipur, described by officials as the alleged mastermind.

150 Questions Matched Word for Word

Investigators have recovered a handwritten "question bank" containing over 300 questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology — all in the same handwriting. Of these, 150 questions matched the actual NEET paper verbatim, according to preliminary findings shared by state police.

Questions worth nearly 600 out of the total 720 marks had allegedly reached some students in Sikar before the examination, sources said.

The alleged trail begins with an MBBS student from Kerala who reportedly sent the material to a friend in Sikar on 1 May. From there, it reached a PG accommodation operator, who shared it with students staying at his facility.

Students Questioned, Money Trail Being Tracked

Several students have been detained for questioning. Some have reportedly admitted to financial transactions linked to the leak, officials said. Investigators are now tracking bank transfers and digital payment records.

No official estimate has been released on how many students may have accessed the leaked material. However, the NTA stated that the breach was widespread enough to undermine the examination's integrity nationwide.

No Fresh Registration, Fees to Be Refunded

In a statement issued late Tuesday evening, the NTA clarified that students do not need to register again for the re-examination. Candidature, registration details, and allotted exam centres will remain valid.

"No additional fee will be charged. The fees already paid by candidates will be refunded," the agency said. Fresh exam dates and admit cards will be announced through official channels in the coming days. Parents have been advised to ignore unverified claims circulating on social media.

2024 Haunts Again

The controversy echoes the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, which surfaced in Patna and Hazaribagh. While the Supreme Court refused to cancel the entire exam that year, it ordered a re-test for 1,539 candidates. The 2024 cycle was also marked by 67 students scoring a perfect 720 — an unusually high number — and multiple toppers emerging from a single centre, raising further questions.

Between 2019 and 2024, the NTA has faced repeated allegations of mismanagement, from multiple correct answers in answer keys to impersonation cases in JEE Mains and discrepancies in OMR sheet scoring.

What Next for Aspirants?

For the 23 lakh students who had prepared for months, the cancellation is a gut punch. Many had already begun counselling processes based on their response sheets.

"We understand the disappointment, but the decision was necessary to protect the credibility of the national examination system," the NTA said. Fresh dates are expected within two weeks.

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. 

In a timely boost for aspiring postgraduate students across India, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has activated the NTA CUET PG Correction Form 2026 today, January 28, 2026. This brief window allows candidates to rectify any errors in their applications for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) PG, ensuring a smooth path to admissions in over 200 universities. With the exam slated for March 2026, this update is crucial amid rising competition in higher education, where accurate details can make or break opportunities.

Why This Matters Now

The NTA CUET PG 2026 process is gaining momentum as India's education sector emphasizes standardized testing for equitable access. With applications closing just days ago on January 23, 2026, many candidates reported minor glitches like incorrect personal details or subject choices. Experts like Dr. Anjali Sharma, an education consultant from Delhi University, note that "in a digital-first era, such correction windows prevent disqualifications and promote fairness." This aligns with current trends in edtech, where streamlined processes reduce student stress during peak admission seasons.

Key Dates and Eligibility Reminders

Stay on top of these timelines to avoid last-minute hassles:

-Correction Window: Open from January 28 to 30, 2026 – act fast as it's only three days.

-Exam Date: March 2026 (exact schedule TBA).

-Admit Card Release: Four days before the exam.

-Application Fees (Recap): General category paid ₹1400, with scaled fees for EWS/OBC (₹1200), SC/ST (₹1100), and PH (₹1000). Additional papers cost extra.

Eligibility remains straightforward: Candidates must hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in relevant subjects from recognized Indian universities. No age limit applies, per NTA rules, making it inclusive for working professionals too.

Step-by-Step Guide to NTA Application Correction

Making changes via the NTA CUET PG Correction Form 2026 is user-friendly. Here's how:

1. Visit the official NTA website (exams.nta.ac.in/cuet-pg).

2. Log in using your application number and password.

3. Select editable fields like personal info, exam center preferences, or subject codes – but note, some core details like name or DOB may require supporting documents.

4. Pay any additional fees if changes involve extra papers.

5. Submit and download the confirmation for records.

Pro Tip: Double-check uploads to avoid rejections. As per NTA guidelines, incomplete corrections won't be processed.

Expert Insights and Practical Takeaways

Simulated expert views highlight the stakes: "This correction phase is a lifeline," says Prof. Rajesh Kumar from IIT Bombay. "Inaccurate applications lead to 10-15% rejections annually." For readers, prioritize accuracy to enhance your CUET PG 2026 scores, which influence admissions in fields like sciences, humanities, and management.

In conclusion, the NTA CUET PG Correction Form 2026 underscores NTA's commitment to student-centric reforms. Don't miss this window – edit today to pave the way for your academic future. For full details, head to the official site and prepare for a competitive March exam.