Govt takes responsibility for NEET leak, vows strict action against exam mafia

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the re-examination for NEET-UG 2026 will be held on June 21 after the original May 3 test was cancelled over the paper leak controversy. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Pradhan acknowledged a "breach in the chain of command" and said the government was taking responsibility for the failure. 

He said the decision followed findings that the exam paper had been leaked under the guise of a "guess paper", triggering a wider investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation. He said that despite reforms recommended by the Radhakrishnan Committee, constituted after the 2024 leak row, vulnerabilities remained in the system. To ease pressure on candidates, the minister said students will be allowed to choose their preferred exam city for the re-test. Fresh admit cards will be issued by June 14 through the NTA portal using existing application credentials.

The minister said the government had accepted students’ concerns and reiterated "zero tolerance" towards malpractice under its anti-exam fraud drive. He also announced a major policy shift: from 2027, NEET will move to a computer-based format, replacing the current pen-and-paper system.

The change is aimed at strengthening security and restoring confidence after one of the country’s largest entrance exams, taken by nearly 22 lakh students, was cancelled amid the ongoing leak probe.