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NEET-UG 2026 Re-Exam on June 21 After Paper Leak Controversy

The National Testing Agency has announced the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21 after the original test was cancelled due to alleged paper leaks. The decision follows a high-level meeting chaired by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to ensure a safe and transparent process. The CBI is investigating the case, with five accused taken into custody by a Delhi court. The cancellation has sparked protests from students and opposition leaders questioning the examination system's credibility.

Key Points: NEET-UG 2026 Re-Exam: June 21 After Paper Leak Row

  • NTA announces NEET-UG 2026 re-exam on June 21
  • Original exam cancelled on May 12 over coordinated paper leak allegations
  • CBI investigating, with five accused in custody
  • Over 22 lakh candidates affected; meeting chaired by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
2 min read

NTA announces NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21 after paper leak row

NTA announces NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21 after paper leak cancellation. CBI investigates; five accused in custody.

"The National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has scheduled the re-examination of NEET (UG) 2026 on Sunday, 21 June 2026. - NTA"

New Delhi, May 15

The National Testing Agency on Friday announced that the re-examination for NEET-UG 2026 will be conducted on June 21, nearly two weeks after the medical entrance examination was cancelled over alleged paper leaks.

In a post on X, the NTA said, "NEET (UG) 2026 -- Examination Date Announced. The National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has scheduled the re-examination of NEET (UG) 2026 on Sunday, 21 June 2026."

The agency also urged candidates and parents to rely only on official communication channels for updates related to the examination.

The announcement comes two days after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials to discuss modalities for conducting the re-examination in a "safe, transparent and credible manner.

The meeting was attended by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh, CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh and senior officials from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.

NEET-UG 2026, conducted on May 3, was cancelled by the NTA on May 12 following allegations of a coordinated paper leak. The exam, considered the country's largest undergraduate medical entrance test, was held across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, covering more than 5,400 centres and involving over 22 lakh candidates.

The matter is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which registered an FIR under provisions related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and destruction of evidence, along with offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Act, 2024.

Meanwhile, a Delhi court recently granted seven days' CBI custody of five accused arrested in connection with the alleged paper leak case. The accused include Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Shubham Khairnar and Yash Yadav.

According to the court, the investigation is at a "very nascent stage" and points towards a larger conspiracy involving the circulation and sale of leaked question papers to candidates for large sums of money.

The cancellation of the examination triggered protests by student organisations across several states, with opposition leaders also questioning the credibility of the examination system and demanding accountability from authorities.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Finally some action! But honestly, this shouldn't have happened in the first place. 22 lakh students affected because of a few greedy people. NTA needs to tighten security - maybe use blockchain for paper transmission? Also, kudos to those who protested peacefully for justice. Stay strong, future doctors! 🩺
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Rohit P
I'm a parent of a NEET aspirant. We're exhausted. The uncertainty, the stress, the financial burden of extra coaching. This whole system needs an overhaul. Why can't they conduct exams like competitive exams in other countries - computer-based with randomized questions? Paper leaks are a symptom of a deeper rot. 💔
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Aditya G
Fair decision by NTA to re-conduct but shouldn't have been necessary. CBI custody for 5 accused is good, but what about the kingpins? These small-time operators are just pawns. Real masterminds probably sitting pretty with their money. Need tougher laws - maybe life imprisonment for exam fraud. That'll deter others! 🇮🇳
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Sneha F
My cousin is appearing for NEET. She's been crying non-stop since the cancellation. All that preparation, and now another month of anxiety. I hope the government ensures zero hiccups this time. Also, why are opposition leaders politicizing this? Focus on the students, not votes. 🤷‍♀️
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Vikram M
I'm skeptical about the June 21 date being realistic. They need to reprint secure papers, vet centers, train invigilators. That's not easy in a month. But I trust the system - Indian exams have been through worse. Remember the

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