NEW DELHI, MAY 12 — A major development for over 22 lakh medical aspirants, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Tuesday that the NEET-UG 2026 examination has been cancelled. The agency maintained that the decision follows a thorough review of inputs from law enforcement and central authorities, which indicated that the sanctity of the May 3 examination may have been compromised.
The Government of India has sanctioned a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to look into the alleged irregularities. The NTA affirmed that its priority remains the interest of the students and the maintenance of a fair testing environment. Officials stated that allowing a compromised examination to stand would have caused lasting damage to the public’s trust in the national admission process.
“The decision has been taken because the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust,” the agency stated. While acknowledging the inconvenience caused to families, the NTA asserted that a fresh examination is the only viable path forward. Candidates will not be required to undergo fresh registrations, as their current data and selected centers will be carried forward for the upcoming re-test.
The NTA noted that while the new examination dates are yet to be finalized, they will be shared via the agency’s official website and social media platforms. The agency also confirmed that it will extend full cooperation to investigating bureaus to ensure a transparent resolution. Aspirants are advised to continue their preparations and monitor official updates for the re-issued admit cards and the revised schedule.
