Bengaluru: National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG-2026  held on May 3 across the country, following the alleged question paper leak, putting 23 lakh students including 1.5 lakh students of Karnataka in a state of quandary.

This development comes first time since NTA took over the responsibility of conducting NEET in 2019. While it was partially re-conducted for a little over 1,563 students in 2024, following discrepancies in the marks awarded to students.

The investigators attached to the NTA, traced the alleged leak trail, linked to a printing agency in Jaipur of Rajasthan and coaching networks spread across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar and Kerala, with Nashik Police detaining a suspect. The CBI which took over the probe, after registering an FIR based on a complaint lodged by the Education Ministry, conducted raids at 12 locations across the country.

No need for registration

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said, there is no need for the students who had already appeared for NEET to register again. However, they will be given a new Hall Ticket, with the fees already refunded to the students. NEET will be conducted in next three weeks. The handiwork of a doctor, MBBS student and the person running a PG accommodation at Sikar in Rajasthan, is suspected behind the question paper leak.

Shockingly, question papers have been sold from a minimum Rs. 5,000 to whopping Rs. 28 lakh, it is said.

Injustice to students: CM

Amidst this CM Siddaramaiah, in his ‘X’ post, has condemned the decision of the Centre to cancel NEET-UG. It is not just the failure of administrative machinery, but also grave injustice meted out to youths of this country.

Dy.CM calls it an insult

Dy.CM D.K. Shivakumar called it as biggest insult and the MPs and Union Ministers from the State should break their silence over such a grave issue. The students, having big dreams, study hard, but will be pushed to brink of uncertainty in such a tumultuous situation.

Cong. marred KPSC: HDK

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, blamed it on the Congress Government for spoiling the sanctity of KPSC, as it was evident with postponing exam for recruitment to various posts on several occasions in the past.