NEET-UG 2026 exam cancelled after alleged paper leak sparks outrage
The NEET-UG 2026 examination, held on 3 May, has been cancelled due to an alleged question paper leak. Around 23 lakh students had taken the test this year, far below the usual 30 lakh candidates. The decision has sparked widespread outrage among students and political figures. News of the cancellation spread quickly, leaving many candidates stunned. Atharv Pandey, one of the examinees, described feeling deep shock and disappointment. Wasil Khan, another student, had to travel back to Bhopal to retake the exam after the abrupt announcement.
Political reactions were swift. Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath compared the situation to the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh, calling the cancellation a monumental failure. Piyush Pandey joined the criticism, blaming the National Testing Agency for both the paper leak and the exam’s cancellation.
Protests erupted as the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) took to the streets. Members burnt effigies of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and NTA chairman Pradeep Joshi. The NSUI state vice president emphasised the heavy toll on students and their families, with many facing uncertainty over their future. The cancellation affects thousands of aspiring medical students. Investigations into the alleged leak are ongoing. Authorities have yet to announce a new date for the examination.
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