NEET UG 2026 Cancelled Amid Paper Leak Row; Students, Parents and Educators React Strongly

The Centre cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination on May 12 following serious allegations of a paper leak and irregularities in the medical entrance test process. The decision has sparked massive reactions from students, parents, teachers, and coaching institutes across India.

The cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has triggered nationwide protests, with students demanding accountability, transparency, and strict action against those involved in the alleged malpractice. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions, hashtags, and messages from aspirants expressing frustration and emotional exhaustion after months and even years of preparation.

Many NEET aspirants described the cancellation as mentally draining, saying the uncertainty around the examination has increased stress and anxiety among students preparing for medical admissions.

Students and Teachers React to NEET UG 2026 Cancellation

Teachers, parents, and coaching experts have shared mixed reactions to the government’s decision. While many supported the cancellation in the interest of maintaining fairness and integrity in the examination system, several experts also highlighted the emotional and psychological pressure students will face while preparing for another attempt.

Commenting on the issue, Nitin Kukreja, CEO of ALLEN Career Institute, said stronger technology-driven systems are needed to prevent such incidents in the future. He suggested that NEET should be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, similar to JEE Main, to reduce the chances of paper leaks and examination malpractices.

According to an ANI report, Alakh Pandey, Founder and CEO of PhysicsWallah, said the incident has damaged students’ trust in the examination system and placed immense mental pressure on aspirants. He also alleged that paper leaks often involve insiders and organised networks seeking financial gains.

Meanwhile, Sarthak Sharma, while protesting against the NEET cancellation, said it was unfortunate that instead of fixing accountability, attempts were allegedly being made to suppress students’ voices.

CBI Investigation in NEET Paper Leak Case

The investigation into the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak has intensified. According to reports, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five individuals and conducted raids at multiple locations across the country.

Officials stated that Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Yash Yadav, and Shubham Khairnar were arrested in connection with the case, while several other suspects are currently being questioned in different cities.

NEET UG 2026 Exam Details

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET UG 2026 examination on May 3. According to official data, nearly 22.79 lakh students appeared for the exam across 551 cities in India and 14 international cities, with more than 5,400 examination centres involved.

The cancellation of one of India’s biggest medical entrance examinations has once again raised serious concerns about examination security, transparency, and the future of competitive exams in the country.