NEET UG Re-Exam 2026 Highlights: 'Masterminds' held, coaching nexus probed, Rahul Gandhi attacks govt

The NEET paper leak 2026 latest news has seen a fresh development, with two key accused sent to CBI custody.

A court has remanded PV Kulkarni and Manisha Waghmare to 10 days of custody as part of the ongoing CBI probe NEET paper leak. Investigators are expected to use this period to trace the chain of question paper transfer and identify others involved in the network.

The move comes as the probe deepens across multiple states following the NEET exam cancellation news today, with agencies focusing on uncovering the full extent of the leak.

The NEET exam cancellation news today has triggered sharp political reactions, with Rahul Gandhi calling for the removal of Dharmendra Pradhan over the ongoing controversy.

Speaking on the NEET paper leak 2026 latest news, Gandhi said the efforts of nearly 22 lakh aspirants had "gone to waste" due to the exam cancellation. He alleged that repeated paper leaks point to deeper systemic issues and claimed that the future of crores of young people has been affected.

He also accused the government of failing to take responsibility, even as the Education Minister has maintained that he had no direct role in the leak. Gandhi further alleged a broader nexus influencing appointments and decision-making in the education system, linking it to recurring exam irregularities.

The remarks come at a time when the CBI probe inot the NEET paper leak is expanding, with multiple arrests and fresh leads emerging across states. As the investigation continues, political pressure is also building alongside student concerns.

With the NEET UG re-exam date 2026 approaching, the issue has now moved beyond an exam controversy into a larger debate on accountability and trust in the system.

The NEET paper leak 2026 case continues to deepen, with the CBI making serious allegations against key accused PV Kulkarni in its remand note. The agency has sought custody, saying it needs to identify the locations where exam questions were allegedly revealed to select candidates.

According to the CBI, Kulkarni, a subject expert associated with NEET paper setting, played a central role in accessing and sharing questions. Investigators claim he passed on the material through Manisha Waghmare, who was in contact with other accused, including Dhananjay. The agency has also flagged links between Kulkarni and Manisha Mandhare, another accused in the case.

The probe suggests a coordinated effort, with Kulkarni and Waghmare allegedly working in conspiracy with others to obtain and distribute the leaked paper. Officials say tracing the full "chain of transfer" is now critical to uncover how the questions moved across multiple hands.

As the CBI probe into the NEET paper leak expands, the focus is shifting from individual arrests to mapping the entire network behind the leak, even as pressure builds ahead of the NEET UG re-exam date 2026.

In the latest NEET exam cancellation news today, Delhi Police has busted a fake admission racket that targeted medical aspirants with promises of securing MBBS seats through the exam system.

The Crime Branch arrested four accused, including alleged mastermind Santosh Kumar Jaiswal, who reportedly posed as a political figure online to gain credibility. Police said he falsely claimed links with leaders like Tejashwi Yadav and used social media to lure students and parents.

As part of the operation, 18 NEET aspirants, including minors, were rescued from locations in Delhi and Ghaziabad. Investigators found that the group collected large sums of money, along with original documents and blank cheques, by promising guaranteed admissions.

Police clarified that this is a cheating racket and not directly linked to the ongoing NEET paper leak 2026 case. However, the case has added to concerns around exploitation of students amid the wider crisis.

With the CBI probe NEET paper leak already underway, authorities are now also tracking fraud networks that prey on anxious aspirants during uncertain exam cycles.

The NEET exam cancellation news today has taken a tragic turn, with another reported suicide linked to the ongoing controversy. In Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district, a medical aspirant allegedly died by suicide after the NEET-UG 2026 exam was cancelled.

The student, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, had been preparing for the exam in Sikar for the past three years. According to his family, he had performed well and was expecting around 650 marks, raising hopes of securing a medical seat this year. However, the sudden cancellation of the exam reportedly left him distressed.

Police said the incident took place at his residence, where he lived with his sisters while preparing for the test. He was found hanging, and authorities have begun an investigation.

This case comes after two related student suicides amid the ongoing NEET paper leak 2026 case and the widening CBI probe. With multiple developments unfolding, the emotional toll on students is becoming harder to ignore.

For many aspirants, the uncertainty around exams is no longer just academic. It is deeply personal, affecting years of preparation, family expectations, and mental well-being.

The NEET exam cancellation news today continues to trigger political reactions, with the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) staging a protest in Delhi over the alleged paper leak.

On May 16, IYC workers marched from Teen Murti Circle towards the residence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, demanding his resignation. Carrying banners and raising slogans, protesters accused the government of failing to protect the integrity of one of India’s most important entrance exams.

Police stopped the march before it could reach its destination, and several members were detained, including IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib.

The protest comes amid the ongoing NEET paper leak 2026 case, which has already led to the cancellation of the May 3 exam and a fresh test scheduled for June 21. With the CBI probe into the NEET paper leak expanding, student groups and political organisations have stepped up pressure on the government.

For now, as investigations continue, protests like these signal growing public anger and the wider fallout of the controversy beyond just exam halls.

The NEET exam cancellation news today has spilled onto the streets, with NSUI members protesting outside the National Testing Agency headquarters in Delhi’s Okhla.

The demonstration comes amid the NEET paper leak 2026 case that led to the cancellation of the May 3 exam and a re-test announcement. Protesters raised slogans and demanded that the NTA be scrapped, arguing that repeated lapses have damaged trust in the system.

At the centre of the anger is a broader concern among students. With over 22 lakh aspirants depending on NEET for medical admissions, many believe the issue goes beyond a single leak. Protesters called it a systemic failure and said a re-exam alone cannot fix deeper problems in exam security.

The protest also comes as the CBI probe inot the NEET paper leak continues to expand, with multiple arrests and links to coaching networks under investigation.

Meanwhile, the government has confirmed the NEET UG re-exam date 2026 as June 21, promising stricter safeguards. But for many students, restoring trust now looks like the bigger challenge.

The NEET paper leak 2026 latest news has taken another major turn, with the CBI arresting a key accused linked to the Biology paper leak. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune and an NTA-appointed expert, has been identified as one of the masterminds in the case.

Mandhare was associated with Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Shivajinagar, where she was working while also contributing to NEET paper-setting processes. Sources indicate that she had been involved in setting question papers for the National Testing Agency for the past five to six years and was part of the team that prepared Botany and Zoology sections for the NEET-UG 2026 exam.

According to investigators, she had direct access to the question papers and allegedly shared key Biology and Zoology questions with select students during private coaching sessions held at her residence in April. Many of these questions reportedly matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 paper conducted on May 3.

With this arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has risen to nine across multiple states. The agency has also conducted searches at multiple locations, seizing documents, laptops and financial records as part of the ongoing CBI probe NEET paper leak.

The NEET exam cancellation case has now reached the Supreme Court, with a petition seeking to dissolve the National Testing Agency (NTA) in its current form.

Filed by the United Doctors Front, the plea comes amid the ongoing NEET paper leak 2026 latest news and argues that repeated failures in conducting the exam point to deeper systemic issues. It calls for replacing the NTA, currently set up under the Societies Registration Act, with a statutory body created through a law passed by Parliament.

The petition says NEET, which decides medical admissions for over 22 lakh students, cannot afford recurring disruptions. It argues that repeated leaks and cancellations raise concerns around fairness and accountability, and may violate students’ rights.

The plea also seeks a court-monitored transition to a new system with stronger safeguards and clearer oversight.

This development comes as the CBI probe NEET paper leak continues to widen, even as the government prepares for the NEET UG re-exam date 2026 on June 21.

In the latest NEET UG 2026 cancelled live updates, students in Kota, long seen as India’s coaching capital, have shared a mix of relief and frustration after the NEET exam cancellation news.

The NEET paper leak 2026 case has hit Kota’s student community hard. Many aspirants said the cancellation of the May 3 exam shook their confidence, especially after months, sometimes years, of preparation away from home.

While students have welcomed the announcement of the NEET UG re-exam date 2026 and the shift to computer-based testing from 2027, they are not fully convinced yet. Several pointed out that strict checking at exam centres, from dress codes to document verification, has always been in place. Yet, the biggest failure happened where it mattered most, securing the question paper.

Students said the move to CBT gives hope, but it is not a guaranteed fix. Concerns around cyber security and potential digital manipulation remain strong. Some also said that if stronger steps had been taken earlier, the current situation could have been avoided.

With the CBI probe NEET paper leak ongoing, students are now looking beyond just reforms. Their demand is simple: whether offline or online, the system must ensure that their effort is protected.

As preparations restart for the re-exam, the mood in Kota reflects both anxiety and cautious optimism.

For years, Kota has been the default answer for students preparing for India’s toughest entrance exams. But the latest NEET exam latest updates India are pointing to a quiet shift. New coaching hubs like Sikar in Rajasthan and Kottayam in Kerala are steadily challenging Kota’s long-held dominance.

Sikar, often called a "mini Kota", has seen rapid growth in recent years, with coaching institutes expanding and attracting NEET aspirants from across states. The city has built a strong results-driven reputation, and its smaller size is often seen as less overwhelming compared to Kota’s intense environment.

Kottayam, on the other hand, is emerging as a southern alternative, especially for students looking for structured preparation closer to home. Its growing coaching ecosystem and relatively balanced lifestyle are drawing attention.

This shift comes at a time when the NEET exam cancellation news today and ongoing concerns around exam integrity are already pushing students to rethink their preparation strategies. While Kota still remains a major force, it is no longer the only obvious choice.

As the NEET UG re-exam date 2026 approaches, students are not just preparing harder, they are also choosing smarter when it comes to where they study.

The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressing deep concern over the cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 examination following alleged paper leak and examination irregularities.

The association has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter, strict action against those responsible, and urgent systemic reforms to restore trust in the examination process.

The letter highlights growing anxiety among medical aspirants and demands stronger safeguards in future national-level entrance tests.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened the correction window for NEET UG 2026 re-exam candidates to update their present address and preferred exam cities ahead of the June 21 re-test.

Students can make changes on the official NEET portal till May 21, 2026, 11:50 pm. Candidates can choose first and second city preferences based on their current location.

No fee will be charged for these updates, and no other application details can be edited during this period. 

The NEET UG 2026 case continues to expand as the CBI probe NEET paper leak reaches multiple states, with seven arrests confirmed so far in connection with the alleged network leak.

Among those arrested are Rajasthan-based brothers Mangi Lal and Dinesh Biwal, who investigators say are key links in the chain behind the NEET paper leak 2026 latest news. Officials believe they were involved in circulating and selling leaked question papers through coaching networks in Sikar.

Sources also suggest the duo had earlier been linked to similar activities in previous exam cycles, raising concerns that the network may have operated over multiple years.

The NEET exam paper leak case has now shifted focus to the wider distribution chain involving coaching centres, intermediaries and admission-linked operators across Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Haryana.

Investigators are now mapping financial transactions and communication records to establish how the leaked material was monetised. With the NEET UG re-exam date 2026 set for June 21, agencies are working to complete the probe while tightening scrutiny on the broader coaching ecosystem.

The CBI probe on the NEET paper leak has taken a major turn with the arrest of Pune-based Chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni, who investigators say played a central role in the alleged leak.

Officials claim Kulkarni, who was associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) exam-setting process, had access to the NEET UG 2026 question paper. 

He allegedly conducted secret tuition sessions where questions and answers were dictated to aspirants before the May 3 exam.

According to investigators, students attending these sessions reportedly wrote down questions that later matched the actual paper. The NEET exam cancellation news today follows these revelations, which are now being treated as a key breakthrough in the case.

Authorities also say Kulkarni's arrest is part of a wider network being probed across states. The focus now is on how the paper moved from internal access to coaching-linked circulation.

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The NEET UG 2026 re-exam has been officially scheduled for June 21, 2026 after the original exam was cancelled due to a paper leak controversy. The National Testing Agency (NTA) confirmed the revised timeline following a high-level review, while the Education Minister also addressed accountability and system reforms.

With lakhs of aspirants affected, confusion around exam logistics, admit cards and process updates remains high.

Here's a simple cheatsheet covering key details and FAQs around the NEET UG 2026 re-exam:

Q: When is the NEET UG 2026 re-exam?
June 21, 2026, as confirmed by NTA.

Q: Why was the exam cancelled?
It was cancelled after reported irregularities and concerns over a paper leak, leading to NEET exam cancellation news today across the country.

Q: Will students choose exam city?
Yes, candidates can select preferred cities, subject to availability.

Q: When will admit cards be released?
NEET UG admit card 2026 new date is June 14, 2026.

Q: Do students need to register again?
No fresh registration is required, and earlier applicants remain eligible.

Q: Will syllabus or pattern change?
No changes have been announced for syllabus or exam pattern.

Check detailed FAQs on NEET UG 2026 re-exam here.

Officials have said the process is being strengthened to avoid future disruptions, especially after the NEET paper leak 2026 triggered widespread scrutiny and the ongoing CBI probe into the NEET paper leak case.

The NEET paper leak 2026 case has now spilled over into older exam cycles, with investigators examining whether earlier tests were also exposed to similar networks.

As the CBI probe NEET paper leak continues, attention has shifted to a Rajasthan family once celebrated for producing four NEET qualifiers in a single year.

The Biwal family's story was earlier seen as a rare academic success, but fresh allegations of handwritten papers, PDFs, and organised circulation channels have put them under scrutiny. While there is no official confirmation of wrongdoing, the ongoing NEET UG 2026 cancelled live updates have revived questions about whether the system was already vulnerable in previous years.

Students are now openly asking whether NEET 2025 was also compromised, especially as similar patterns of question matching and organised leak methods are being reported in the current investigation. The fear is not just about one exam cycle, but whether such networks have operated undetected over multiple years.

As authorities dig deeper, the case has moved beyond a single controversy. It is now raising uncomfortable questions about trust, fairness, and how secure India's biggest medical entrance exam really is.
 

The NEET UG 2026 cancelled live updates have already triggered major reforms in India's biggest medical entrance exam. Along with the NEET UG re-exam details for June 21, the government has now confirmed a long-term shift that could change how lakhs of students prepare: NEET will move to a computer-based format from 2027.

This move comes after the NEET paper leak 2026 serious concerns about exam security and system vulnerabilities. Officials say the transition to CBT is aimed at improving transparency, reducing manual errors, and tightening exam controls.

For students, the biggest change will be the shift from OMR sheets to a digital screen. Instead of bubbling answers on paper, candidates will select responses on a computer interface. While the syllabus stays the same, preparation may gradually shift towards online mock tests and digital practice environments.

Experts believe this could align NEET with global testing systems, but also raise new challenges around digital readiness and access. As India moves ahead with reforms, the focus remains on whether technology can truly solve long-standing exam security issues or simply shift the risk into a new form.
 

The NEET paper leak 2026 case has taken a fresh turn as the CBI widened its investigation into the alleged coaching-linked network. In a major development, Shivraj Motegaokar, chief of RCC Coaching Classes in Latur, was detained by the agency for questioning in connection with the NEET UG 2026 leak case.

According to officials, Motegaokar was being interrogated from morning hours after earlier questioning of Professor PV Kulkarni, who has already been taken to Delhi for further investigation. The action comes as part of the expanding CBI probe NEET paper leak, which is now examining the role of coaching institutes and academic networks across multiple states.

Investigators suspect that RCC Coaching Classes may have circulated mock test papers containing questions that closely matched the actual NEET exam paper. The institute, which has branches across Maharashtra and is headquartered in Latur, is considered a significant player in the medical entrance coaching ecosystem.

The latest action has intensified scrutiny around organised exam support systems and their possible role in the broader NEET UG 2026 cancelled live updates. Officials are also linking coaching centre operations with the ongoing examination of question paper leaks and distribution chains.

As the investigation continues, authorities are yet to confirm formal charges, but the case is now firmly part of the larger NEET paper leak probe, which is tracking multiple arrests, coaching links, and suspected networks behind the leak.

The NEET paper leak case continues to expand as new details emerge around Rajasthan's Biwal family, already under investigation in the wider scandal linked to the exam controversy. According to reports, all five children of Mangilal and Dinesh Biwal, who were studying in different medical colleges, have now left their institutions and are reportedly untraceable.

As per the latest information, Palak was enrolled at SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Pragati at Pandit Nawal Kishore Medical College, Dausa, while Sonia and Gunjan were studying at Banaras Medical College. Vikas Biwal, who was earlier arrested in connection with the case, was pursuing MBBS at Sawai Madhopur Medical College before being taken into custody.

Investigators had earlier flagged the family in connection with the alleged circulation of leaked NEET 2025 question papers. The development has added another layer of concern to the ongoing CBI probe in the NEET paper leak, which is already examining a wider interstate network involving coaching-linked networks and admission brokers.

The situation has also been closely tracked in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case, as officials continue to link past and present irregularities in the system. Meanwhile, NEET paper leak 2026 latest news reports suggest agencies are now trying to trace digital and financial trails linked to the accused network.

In the latest NEET UG 2026 cancelled live updates, investigators are widening their probe into a Rajasthan-based family now central to the NEET paper leak 2026 latest news.

Sources suggest that the Biwal family, already under scrutiny in the CBI probe NEET paper leak, may have had access to question papers even in the 2025 exam cycle.

According to officials, all five children of the family allegedly received the NEET 2025 question paper before the exam. One of them is also accused of further circulating it within an organised network linked to coaching centres in Sikar.

Investigators claim the leaked material moved through a wider chain involving students, counsellors, and medical admission operators. A Maharashtra-based link is also being examined as part of the distribution route.

The case has added a new layer to the ongoing NEET exam cancellation news today, raising concerns that the leak network may not be limited to a single year. Authorities believe the operation involved large sums of money and a structured coaching ecosystem.

As the NEET UG re-exam date 2026 approaches, the focus remains on whether the current investigation will uncover deeper, long-running gaps in the exam system.
 

In the latest NEET UG 2026 cancelled live updates, the Centre has acknowledged a serious lapse behind the exam controversy. Speaking on May 15, the Education Minister admitted there was a "breach in the chain of command", confirming what the NEET paper leak 2026 latest news had been pointing to for days.

The government said the decision to scrap the May 3 exam came after complaints received by May 7 were verified, and the leak was confirmed by May 12. Officials maintained that cancelling the test was necessary to protect fairness for students, even as the CBI probe NEET paper leak continues.

Alongside the admission, key NEET UG re-exam details were announced. The test will now be held on June 21, with fresh admit cards expected by June 14. Students will not need to register again and will be allowed to choose their exam cities.

The minister also indicated a shift towards computer-based testing in the coming years, signalling a larger overhaul of the system.

For now, the focus remains on whether the re-exam can restore trust after the NEET exam cancellation news today shook lakhs of aspirants.

In the latest NEET exam cancellation news today, the government has confirmed June 21 as the re-test date, leaving just over a month to reset India’s biggest entrance exam. The decision follows the NEET paper leak 2026 latest news that forced authorities to scrap the May 3 exam.

With over 22 lakh students affected, the focus has now shifted to execution. Conducting the NEET UG re-exam date 2026 at this scale means rebuilding logistics, tightening paper security, and restoring trust within weeks. Officials have promised stricter protocols as the CBI probe into the leak continues.

While fresh exam details are being rolled out, the real challenge lies in ensuring the process runs smoothly this time. For students, the uncertainty continues. For the system, June 21 is now a high-stakes test of credibility.

In the latest NEET paper leak 2026 developments, the current crisis has brought back a sharp December 2025 warning, where a Parliamentary panel said the NTA’s exam system "did not inspire confidence".

Now, after NTA cancels NEET UG exam, questions are growing over why those concerns were not addressed earlier.

The report had flagged issues like blacklisted firms, weak exam security, and repeated disruptions in major tests. As the CBI probe into the NEET paper leak expands, the same gaps are once again under scrutiny.

In the latest NEET UG 2026 updates, the CBI probe NEET paper leak has zeroed in on a Maharashtra-based trio as the alleged core of the network. The latest news points to Shubham Khairnar, Dhananjay Lokhande and Manisha Waghmare as key links in sourcing and circulating the "guess paper".

Officials say Khairnar passed the paper from Maharashtra to Haryana, before it reached Rajasthan, a major hub in the NEET paper leak Rajasthan update. Waghmare’s financial records and digital chats are under scrutiny, while Lokhande’s travel history is being examined.

The NEET exam cancellation news today follows these findings, after NTA cancels NEET UG exam citing compromised integrity.

AAP National Media Incharge Anurag Dhanda criticised the Centre over its handling of the NEET examination controversy, saying the government's approach was creating more suspicion and panic among students. He said lakhs of aspirants across the country were anxious after the exam was suddenly cancelled and a re-examination date was announced.

Dhanda questioned what had changed since the cancellation, asking whether the "kingpins" behind the alleged paper leak had been arrested and whether those enjoying political protection had been brought to justice. He claimed that only a few lower-level individuals had been detained so far.

He also raised concerns over the credibility of the re-exam process, questioning what guarantee exists that papers would not leak again when the NTA conducts the examination next month. Dhanda alleged that the Modi government was "playing with the lives" of nearly 22-23 lakh students appearing for NEET.

The Radhakrishnan Committee has proposed several key reforms to improve the examination system, especially NEET and other national-level entrance tests. Its major recommendations include shifting to online or hybrid testing, introducing multi-stage exams for medical aspirants, streamlining subject choices in CUET, strengthening and expanding NTA staffing with permanent roles, and increasing government oversight of exam administration. It has also suggested stronger data security, closer scheduling of exam processes, and limiting the number of attempts for NEET.

The committee was formed in the backdrop of repeated controversies surrounding NEET, including allegations of paper leaks, irregularities and declining public trust in the examination system. Over the years, concerns have been raised about high scores under suspicious circumstances, security lapses during handling of question papers, and logistical weaknesses in a paper-based format.

NEET, introduced to bring uniformity in medical admissions across India, has faced implementation challenges since its inception. While other entrance exams like JEE have moved to computer-based formats, NEET has remained largely pen-and-paper due to accessibility concerns in rural areas, making it more vulnerable to operational and security issues.

The recurring allegations and political criticism over mismanagement led to calls for structural reform of the testing system and the National Testing Agency. The committee's recommendations are seen as an effort to restore credibility, strengthen exam security and reduce stress for millions of aspirants.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday acknowledged that a breach had taken place in the NEET-UG examination and said the ministry takes full responsibility for rectifying the issue. 

He said the exam was conducted on May 3, following which the NTA received a complaint on May 7 alleging that a "guess paper" contained questions matching those in the actual question paper.

He added that the Higher Education Department immediately ordered an inquiry, which was handed over to government agencies and coordinated with state authorities. By May 12, he said, it was confirmed that questions from the exam had indeed been leaked under the guise of a guess paper.

Pradhan said the government did not want any deserving student to lose out due to the actions of fraudulent candidates or what he described as the "education mafia." He noted that despite the implementation of recommendations from the Radhakrishnan Committee for the 2025 and 2026 exams, irregularities still occurred, which led to the decision to cancel the examination.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that there is a need to move towards a Computer-Based Test (CBT) system from next year. He said the NEET examination should be shifted to an online mode, indicating a transition from the current paper-based format to a fully computer-based examination system.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan appealed to students not to fall for rumours surrounding the NEET examination controversy. Addressing a press brief on the paper leak row, he said the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee had been implemented, but acknowledged that a breakdown in the chain of command had occurred.

Pradhan said the government accepts the lapse and is committed to fixing the system, calling exam malpractices a "social evil" that must be eradicated. He added that the Centre seeks support from citizens, policymakers and society to ensure a clean and fair examination process.

He further said that the CBI will conduct a detailed investigation into the matter and asserted that no one involved in wrongdoing will be spared.
 

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the National Testing Agency (NTA) has taken two key decisions following the cancellation of the NEET UG exam. He stated that candidates would receive a full refund of their examination fees and will not be charged again for the June 21 re-examination.

He added that aspirants will also be given an opportunity to choose their preferred exam city, with a one-week window provided for this process. The NTA will issue a detailed notice by evening regarding the revised arrangements.

Pradhan further said that candidates will be given an additional 15 minutes to fill in details on the OMR sheet, and that admit cards for the re-exam will be released on June 14.

(Amit Bhardwaj inputs)

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards exam malpractices and is committed to a strong fight against what he described as "pariksha mafia" or exam mafias.

While addressing a press briefing on the NEEP paper leak row, he said that CBI action has already begun in the matter and questioned how the breach occurred despite the implementation of recommendations made by the Radhakrishna Committee. Pradhan added that the entire government machinery will work to ensure that such malpractices do not recur in future examinations.

He further said the government will not allow any "mafia" to snatch students' seats through money power, adding that the decision taken was a tough but necessary step in the interest of students.

(Amit Vhardwaj inputs)

As the National Testing Agency declared a fresh test for the NEET re-examination, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government's priority is to safeguard the future of students while addressing the controversy around the NEET examination. At a press briefing, he noted that the May 3 papers were conducted as scheduled, but by May 7, concerns were raised through the NTA grievance system, prompting an internal inquiry.

Pradhan said the matter was then handed over to concerned agencies, with multiple states involved in the investigation.

He added that by May 12, clarity had emerged indicating that certain questions had appeared in "guess papers" circulated by what he described as "education mafias".

He said the government does not want to compromise on students' future and acknowledged their concerns.

He further stated that despite following the recommendations of the HLCE, irregularities had surfaced, and announced that a new examination date has been set for June 21.

(Amit Bhardwaj inputs)

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to scrap the NEET examinations amid the paper leak row. He also asked the Centre to allow states to admit students based on marks obtained in qualifying examinations instead of NEET scores.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Stalin expressed deep concern over what he described as repeated failures and systemic vulnerabilities in the NEET examination process, particularly after the cancellation following a reported nationwide paper leak. He said the incident had once again exposed structural flaws in a highly centralised examination system.

Stalin cited multiple past irregularities, including alleged paper leaks, impersonation cases, and investigations by the CBI, arguing that such issues had repeatedly undermined public trust. He also raised concerns over logistical problems faced by students, including distant exam centre allocations, poor infrastructure, and delays during examinations, which he said disproportionately affected students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.

He further argued that NEET had increasingly become a coaching-driven and commercialised system, where economic privilege played a greater role than merit in determining outcomes.

(PTI)

Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan is scheduled to brief the media on the NEET UG 2026 examination at 10:30 am today at 19 Teen Murti Marg, New Delhi.

The briefing is expected to provide key updates on the re-exam process, security arrangements, and scheduling after the announcement of the new exam date.

Stakeholders and students are closely watching for clarity on admit cards, guidelines, and examination protocols.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially confirmed that the NEET UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted on 21 June 2026 (Sunday).

The decision follows the cancellation of the earlier exam held on 3 May 2026 amid alleged irregularities.

Over 22 lakh medical aspirants across India will now appear for the fresh test. The agency has assured that the exam will be conducted under strict security and monitoring systems.