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New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) 2026 examination amid allegations that the question paper was leaked through “guess papers.” The examination, determining admission to medical colleges across India, will now be re-conducted on a date yet to be announced. 

In an official post on X, the NTA stated that “following approval from the government of India, [it] has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination held on May 3, 2026.” 

In continuation of its press release dated 10 May 2026, the National Testing Agency wishes to inform candidates, parents, and members of the public of the following decisions taken in respect of NEET (UG) 2026. NTA had, on 8 May 2026, referred the matters then under consideration… — National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) May 12, 2026

In continuation of its press release dated 10 May 2026, the National Testing Agency wishes to inform candidates, parents, and members of the public of the following decisions taken in respect of NEET (UG) 2026. NTA had, on 8 May 2026, referred the matters then under consideration…

— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) May 12, 2026

More than 2.2 million candidates had appeared for the exam amid tight security arrangements, competing for just 59,416 MBBS seats available in government colleges.

The alleged paper leak

Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG) is investigating reports that a handwritten document, described as a “guess paper,” was circulated among students via WhatsApp before the examination. The SOG confirmed that it is examining a document containing approximately 410 questions.

Vishal Bansal, Additional Director General of the SOG, stated that over 100 questions from the Biology and Chemistry sections of the document “bear a strong resemblance” to the actual examination paper. Reportedly, there is a match of nearly 120 questions across the two subjects. The document was allegedly circulating among students as early as 15 days to a month prior to the exam.

According to the Hindustan Times, investigators believe that the similarity of between questions could potentially impact scores amounting to roughly 600 out of 720 marks.

The investigation has linked the alleged guess paper to an MBBS student from Churu, Rajasthan, who is currently studying at a medical college in Kerala. He supposedly sent the document to an acquaintance in Sikar on May 1. The operator of a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Sikar then distributed it among students, from where it spread rapidly through coaching networks and messaging applications.

Sources told news agencies that two days before the exam, the material was being sold for up to Rs 5 lakh; by the day before the exam, the price had apparently dropped to around Rs 30,000.

Maheshwar Peri, founder of Careers360, claimed that the scale of the leak was much wider. In a post on X, he alleged that 140 out of 180 questions in the NEET examination were part of the 410-questions guess paper and that the sequence of questions and answer options matched those in the actual paper.

Peri identified Sikar, as the epicentre of the alleged network, noting that the region’s NEET success rate is six times higher than the national average. He further alleged that students in Sikar were summoned for a “mock test” the day before the exam and were coached on these specific questions. He added that similar accusations had surfaced in 2024 but were not treated with the seriousness they deserved. 

It isnt surprising that NEET exam has been cancelled by the @NTA_Exams . The hub of this entire operation is Sikar, where the success rate........

© The Wire