Ahead of NEET UG 2026 -- which opens the door to 1.2 lakh MBBS seats in the country annually -- education expert Nagarajan JSK explains why lakhs of students attempt the exam every year.
With NEET-PG 2026 scheduled for August 30, online postponement rumours are causing chaos. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) slammed social media users spreading fake news, warning that circulating misleading exam updates could trigger strict legal action. They advised candidates to trust official announcements only.
A director of a Pune coaching centre claims that Tejas Shah, a physics teacher arrested in connection with the NEET UG paper leak, contacted Manisha Havaldar, a senior faculty member and accused, for clarification on physics topics in his individual capacity.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticised the Modi government following the cancellation of the NEET (UG) 2026 examination, citing paper leaks and corruption.
Technical disruptions plagued the NEET-PG 2026 examination at two centres in Jaipur, leading to repeated computer shutdowns and widespread protests from candidates. Aspirants raised concerns about the fairness and confidentiality of the test, demanding an impartial inquiry into the technical failures.
The CBI has taken custody of a person from Nashik in connection with the alleged NEET paper leak. Earlier, Nashik Police detained Shubham Khairnar following a request from Rajasthan Police. The NEET (UG) 2026 exam was cancelled amid allegations of a paper leak, prompting a CBI inquiry. The alleged leak may have links to Latur, where a parent complained about a coaching institute's mock test containing identical questions to the actual exam.
The NEET-UG re-exam was generally tougher than the previous one, with Physics identified as the most challenging and time-consuming section by both students and experts. While Biology was considered easier, Chemistry was moderate. Experts noted conceptual and lengthy questions in Physics and Chemistry, potentially leading to a lower cut-off.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticised the Indian government's temporary restriction on Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination, calling it a 'new trick' that punishes students instead of tackling the root cause of paper leaks. He highlighted the suicides of two students, Umesh and Riya, linking their deaths to the 'broken, corrupt system' and the government's alleged failure to protect students from exam mismanagement.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has strongly refuted a video circulating on social media that falsely claims the NEET-UG 2026 paper was leaked, asserting that the recent re-examination was conducted successfully with comprehensive security measures.
'You sat for the exam. You experienced the environment -- the pressure, the time constraints, the pattern of questions, where you were strong, where you struggled. That experience is invaluable. No amount of coaching can replicate that.'
'This is not the end of your preparation. It is an unexpected extension of the race,' say experts.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured full cooperation in the CBI probe into the NEET paper leak case, following the arrest of a suspect from Nashik. The NEET (UG) 2024 exam was cancelled amid allegations of irregularities, leaving over 22 lakh medical aspirants anxious.
When humour combines with a good cause.
The overhaul comes after a series of controversies surrounding the conduct of examinations administered by NTA, which has faced questions over examination security and its handling of irregularities.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has removed its spokesperson, Vijeta Dahiya, after videos of him eating a burger during a protest against police violence and the NEET exam paper leak sparked public outrage and were deemed 'insensitive' by the party.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is undergoing significant reforms, including the removal of over 50 staff members and the onboarding of new leadership and domain specialists. This comes after recent issues like errors in UGC-NET papers, leading to re-tests, and the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026. The Education Ministry has directed a complete overhaul of exam protocols and a thorough audit of all processes to ensure integrity.
The CBI claims to have cracked the NEET paper leak case with the arrest of a Pune-based professor, identified as the source of the leak. The professor allegedly exploited his position to leak the paper to students in exchange for money.
The Supreme Court has stated it will consider the recommendations of the Nandan Nilekani-led task force regarding the online conduct of the NEET examination, emphasising the need for additional safeguards in cybersecurity and database protection. This follows the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam due to an alleged paper leak and subsequent re-test.
Here are all the details you need to know about the NEET-UG re-exam.
Computer-based testing can make the examination more secure and transparent. Ensuring equal opportunities to prepare will make it fair as well. India needs both, suggests Dibyasree Ganguly.
A Delhi court has remanded an accused in the NEET paper leak case to judicial custody until June 6, following a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The accused is alleged to have been actively involved in leaking the NEET-UG 2026 examination questions prior to the exam.
The task force's move to directly solicit views from students, parents and teachers marks a parallel effort to bring education stakeholders into the reform process.
The CBI has taken custody of five individuals arrested in connection with the NEET-UG exam leak and apprehended two more suspects. The agency is investigating the potential involvement of insiders within the National Testing Agency (NTA). Protests continue across the country, demanding accountability and reforms in the examination process.
The Chhattisgarh High Court has permitted a 21-year-old man, accused in a suicide abetment case and currently in jail, to appear for the NEET-2026 examination under police escort. The court also directed jail authorities to provide him with study material. This decision came after his plea for temporary bail to take the exam was heard, with the court opting for police custody over bail due to the seriousness of the alleged offence.
The CBI informed a Delhi court that Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, an accused in the NEET paper leak case, circulated question papers to students for money. The agency opposed her bail plea, stating students paid for leaked physics, chemistry, and biology papers. Waghmare's counsel argued against the allegations, citing no recovery of cash or incriminating evidence from her. The court reserved its order on her bail plea for June 9, amidst the ongoing investigation into the cancelled NEET exam.
Amidst widespread student protests and allegations of paper leaks, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's dharna outside the Prime Minister's residence has prompted the government to declare its willingness for a comprehensive parliamentary debate on the contentious NEET examination.
Arvind Kejriwal met the family of a 17-year-old who allegedly died by suicide and criticised the BJP over the NEET cancellation, urging students to protest against paper leaks.
Many students who do well in the NEET exams miss out on a medical seat because they didn't get their documentation in order. You don't want to be that student, says Ashok Hegde.
The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 due to alleged paper leaks has led to widespread outrage among aspirants, who are questioning the competence of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and demanding that AIIMS-Delhi conduct the medical entrance exam.
The Supreme Court has informed the Centre that it will closely monitor the steps taken to curb NEET examination paper leaks, emphasising that 'ad hocism has caused trouble for years' and demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the examination process.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at the residences of two students in Nagpur as part of its investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. Mobile phones, laptops, and other digital devices were seized for forensic examination.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026 toppers are Punjab's Aryan Gupta and Haryana's Panshul Bansal, who secured joint All India Rank 1 with 715 out of 720 marks each.
'I went to protest because whatever is going on in our country is not right.'
A Delhi court has remanded Shivraj Raghunath, founder of Renukai Career Centre, to nine days' CBI custody in connection with the NEET paper leak case. The CBI is investigating the source of the leaked papers and the involvement of other individuals.
A 20-year-old NEET aspirant in Kota, Madhya Pradesh, died by suicide, reportedly due to stress over her previous exam score. This incident marks the eighth student suicide in Kota this year, raising concerns about the immense pressure faced by coaching students.
Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan urged students to have 'patience during difficult times and maintain faith in the country's institutions and government.'
A Delhi court has granted the CBI permission to obtain additional handwriting and signature samples from accused Manisha Sanjay Havaldar in the ongoing NEET paper leak case. This decision aims to facilitate a thorough comparison of evidence, given the bulkiness of the case record and allegations of question sharing.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the NEET-UG re-examination will be held on June 21, with plans to transition to a computer-based test from next year. This decision follows allegations of irregularities in the original exam, prompting strict action and a commitment to ensuring fairness for students.
National Testing Agency (NTA) director general Abhishek Singh on Tuesday said the schedule for the re-conduct of the cancelled NEET-UG 2026 examination would be announced within the next seven to ten days, while assuring students that strict action was being taken against those involved in the alleged paper leak.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking arranged special bus services for students appearing in the NEET re-examination in Mumbai, deploying 60 buses on 24 routes for approximately 180 trips, despite an ongoing strike by its employees that has paralysed public transport.
