NTA chief denies NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, says only certain questions were out

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education that no full-fledged paper leak occurred in the controversial NEET-UG 2026 examination, insisting that "only certain questions came out". The central agency, which conducts the examination, claimed that it was instances of malpractice that prompted the cancellation of the exam, sources said.

The NTA’s claim appears to be in direct contrast to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who publicly acknowledged a "breach in the chain of command" and said the government was taking responsibility for the NEET paper leak, as it stirred massive controversy.

The NEET-UG 2026, an all-India pre-medical entrance examination, was cancelled amid allegations of a major paper leak and circulation of a "guess paper" that matched several actual exam questions, triggering investigations by the CBI and parliamentary scrutiny of the NTA. Amid protests, the central agency announced a re-examination on June 21.

NTA Chief Abhishek Singh was summoned by the committee amid the controversy. According to sources present at the meeting, NTA officials maintained that while instances of malpractice and irregularities were detected, these did not constitute a complete breach of the examination paper. The agency emphasised that even a limited compromise of questions can erode trust in the system, prompting the decision to cancel the exam under its "zero-tolerance" policy.

However, Education Minister Pradhan, at a press conference on May 15, acknowledged the breach and promised a thorough inquiry.

Pradhan, referring to a high-level committee led by former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan and constituted after the 2024 NEET paper leak, said, "Despite following the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan committee, there was a breach in the command chain. We accept it and take responsibility to improve it."

The minister described the leak as the work of an organised network of fraudsters and the "education mafia", and also said the government decided to cancel the exam because it did not want honest students to suffer.

He also responded to questions on the role of NTA officials in the paper leak, saying that the "trustworthy agency CBI" would probe the matter thoroughly, and the officials will not be spared if found guilty.

Meanwhile, NTA Chief Abhishek Singh and Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi sought to present before the parliamentary panel that officials were working in the right direction. They informed the committee that several recommendations had already been implemented, while work on others was still underway to make the NEET exam leakproof.

Sources said the NTA told the committee that the decision to cancel the exam was taken because the agency follows a “zero-tolerance” approach towards irregularities, arguing that even a limited compromise of questions can undermine confidence in the examination process.

Officials reportedly reiterated that "no paper leak happened", while accepting that instances of malpractice prompted the cancellation on May 12.

The CBI investigation into the NEET-UG controversy has led to multiple arrests across states, with action taken against alleged intermediaries, teachers, examination centre staff and individuals accused of facilitating irregularities.

RE-NEET ON JUNE 21

The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21, the NTA announced after cancelling the original exam conducted on May 3.

According to the NTA, candidates will not need to register again or pay any additional fee for the re-exam, as existing registrations will remain valid.

Fresh admit cards are expected to be issued before the examination, and students have also been given the option to update their exam city preferences.

The re-test is scheduled to take place from 2 pm to 5.15 pm on June 21, with authorities saying that additional safeguards and stricter monitoring mechanisms will be put in place following concerns over examination security.