As NTA cancels NEET 2026 exam, storm of criticism erupts online: ‘Is this a school exam... we paid ₹9.5k’

THE National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3 amid allegations of a paper leak, leaving nearly 24 lakh candidates restless and anxious.

The cancellation came after “guess papers” matching over 100 questions in Chemistry and Biology were allegedly circulated and sold for up to ₹7,30,000, prompting a probe by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) into the alleged irregularities.

Students have taken to the streets to protest against the NTA’s decision, while many have also expressed their frustration on social media.

‘2024 was a disaster, and now 2026 is a repeat’

For many students, the cancellation was not unexpected. What shocked them more was the feeling that the system had once again fallen into the same crisis within just two years.

“2024 was a disaster, and now 2026 is a repeat. This isn't just a leak; it's a systemic failure. For how many years will students pay the price for NTA's incompetence? Re-conducting the exam is a bandage, not a cure. We need accountability, not just a new date,” a user shared on X.

“It is not fair to someone who has been working for this for the last 3 years. Is this errorless? Is this our school exam that you are going to re-conduct the examination for 26 lakh aspirants?” another wrote.

“Imagine sacrificing your teenage years just for the exam authority to say: Oops, retry,” read one comment.

Another read, “w** re-exam?? NTA should not be able to conduct more exams now; an independent body should replace it. students r suffering from mental trauma, and they r just playing with futures. It’s not a trial and error experiment.”

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) also reacted to the controversy, tweeting: “FAIMA demand immediate accountability for this paper leak. We will not stay silent. Exemplary punishment is the only way forward.”

What are overseas candidates worried about?

The cancellation has also created confusion among candidates appearing from overseas examination centres. Many students from Gulf countries raised concerns over whether the examination would be conducted again at their centres and how the changes would affect their schedules.

“Will it be conducted again in the Gulf centres as well? We have paid around ₹9.5k, and most of us are writing other examinations in the Gulf countries as well. What about the NRI kids in the Gulf?” an aspirant asked.

The National Testing Agency said that all candidature details and examination-centre preferences submitted for the May 2026 session would remain valid. Candidates will not have to register again, and no additional examination fee will be charged. The agency also stated that examination fees already paid would be refunded.

However, several logistical concerns still remain unresolved for students outside India, especially those managing multiple entrance examination schedules in different countries.

What did NTA say about the re-examination?

“On the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies and to ensure that there is transparency in the system, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately," the NTA said in its press release dated 12 May.

The agency urged candidates and parents to rely only on official channels and ignore unverified reports circulating on social media.

NTA also issued helpline numbers 011-40759000 and 011-69227700, along with the email ID [email protected].