Committed to zero error exam, fees to be refunded: NTA chief on NEET cancellation
"We will not allow anyone to play with the future of our children," NTA chief Abhishek Singh said after NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled over a paper leak in Rajasthan. He added that strict action would be taken against those responsible for compromising the exam's integrity.
National Testing Agency (NTA) chief Abhishek Singh on Tuesday said the decision to cancel the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was conducted on May 3, was taken to protect the integrity of the test and ensure fairness for students.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, Singh said the agency received inputs indicating a possible paper leak and reiterated that the body followed a strict “zero tolerance policy” against any form of malpractice.
The controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak has sparked nationwide outrage, with students and parents demanding accountability, transparency and stronger safeguards for future examinations.
The matter has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
NTA RECEIVED WHISTLEBLOWER INPUTS AFTER EXAMINATION
Singh said the NTA received suspicious inputs late on May 7, four days after the examination had already been conducted.
According to Singh, WhatsApp messages containing content similar to questions asked in the NEET exam were flagged and immediately shared with law enforcement agencies for verification.
“We received information from a whistleblower on the night of May 7. The examination had already been conducted. We verified the allegations on May 8 and 9, and by May 10 and 11, some of the allegations appeared to be true,” Singh said.
He stressed that although the examination had initially been conducted smoothly without complaints on exam day, the agency could not ignore even the slightest compromise in integrity.
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR EXAM MALPRACTICE
Defending the decision to cancel the examination nationwide, Singh said the NTA was committed to ensuring fair and transparent examinations at all costs.
“We are committed to a zero tolerance policy. Even if the leak was localised, we cannot allow anyone to play around with the future of our children,” he said.
Singh added that the agency wanted to send a strong message to individuals attempting to manipulate competitive exams through illegal means.
“We will not tolerate people trying to break the resolve of the government to conduct fair examinations. They will be caught, punished, and sent to jail,” he stated.
CBI PROBE TO DETERMINE EXTENT OF PAPER LEAK
When asked how widespread the alleged paper leak may have been, the NTA chief refrained from speculating and said the CBI inquiry would establish the full scope of the breach.
“The CBI is best suited to determine whether it was limited to one district, one state, or multiple states,” Singh said.
Reports have linked the controversy to a printing press in Nashik, Maharashtra, but Singh refused to confirm whether the leak originated there.
“I would not like to prejudge the inquiry. Let the CBI examine the entire supply chain and establish accountability,” he added.
STUDENTS, PARENTS ‘DEVASTATED’ AFTER CANCELLATION
Acknowledging the emotional toll on students and parents, Singh admitted the decision was “tough” for everyone involved.
“I fully understand their anguish and anger. I am a parent myself. Students work day and night preparing for this examination,” he said.
However, he argued that allowing the examination to stand despite evidence of malpractice would have been unfair to deserving candidates.
“It is a hardship for the next two months, but if we are able to break this nexus and clean up the system, it is worth doing,” Singh said.
NTA TO CONDUCT RE-EXAMINATION WITHOUT EXTRA FEES
The NTA chief confirmed that a fresh examination would be conducted soon and assured candidates that no additional fees would be charged.
“We want to conduct the re-examination as soon as possible with minimal delay. We do not want to disrupt academic calendars or medical admissions,” Singh said.
He added that the NTA would absorb the financial burden of conducting the examination again.
NTA CLAIMS IT VERIFIED EVERY COMPLAINT
Singh stated that the agency had actively monitored complaints even before the examination and had blocked over 120 Telegram channels allegedly spreading misinformation or offering leaked papers.
“Before, during and after the examination, we verified every complaint that came to us. Whether anonymous or identified, every input was investigated,” he said.
The NTA chief maintained that the agency had consistently warned students against engaging with individuals promising leaked papers or unfair access.
NEET PAPER LEAK ROW TRIGGERS NATIONAL DEBATE
The NEET-UG 2026 controversy has reignited concerns over the security and credibility of India’s highly competitive entrance examinations. NEET is the gateway to undergraduate medical admissions across the country and is attempted by more than 20 lakh students annually.
In recent years, multiple recruitment and entrance exams have faced allegations of leaks, impersonation and organised cheating rackets, prompting calls for stricter digital surveillance, encrypted paper transport systems and harsher legal punishments for offenders.
With the CBI now probing the matter, attention remains focused on whether the paper leak was isolated or part of a larger nationwide network.