New Delhi, 12 May (H.S.): The National Testing Agency (NTA) has cancelled the NEET‑UG 2026 examination and decided to conduct the test afresh, citing alleged irregularities in the conduct of the paper and inputs received from investigation agencies. The central government has also entrusted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with a comprehensive probe into the entire episode.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NTA said the process of the NEET‑UG 2026 exam held on 3 May cannot be allowed to remain in its present state. To maintain transparency, fairness, and the credibility of the examination system in the eyes of students, the decision has been taken to cancel the exam and hold it again. The new exam date and the schedule for re‑issuing admit cards will be announced shortly through official channels. The NTA has urged candidates and parents to rely only on official notifications and to avoid unverified reports circulating on social media.

The statement added that the government has decided to hand over an in‑depth investigation of the matter to the CBI, and the NTA will furnish all necessary documents, records, and assistance to the investigative agency. The agency clarified that the registration data, candidate status, and exam‑centre choices submitted by applicants who registered for the May 2026 cycle will remain valid for the re‑exam. No fresh registration will be required, nor will any additional examination fee be charged.

The NTA further stated that the examination fee already deposited by candidates will be refunded, and the re‑exam will be conducted by the agency through its own internal resources. While acknowledging that the re‑examination will cause inconvenience to students and their families, the NTA said this step was essential to preserve trust and integrity in the national‑level entrance‑test system.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar