Bhubaneswar, 12 May (H.S.): Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has described the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 following reports of a question paper leak as a “severe blow” to the trust students place in the examination system.

He said the incident deeply undermines the sacred confidence that students repose in India’s competitive examination framework. According to him, when the fairness and sanctity of examinations are compromised, it is not merely an administrative lapse but a betrayal of lakhs of aspirants who have devoted years of disciplined preparation, personal sacrifice, and relentless hard work.

Patnaik also noted that this is not the first instance of alleged paper leaks in the NEET examination. He warned that repeated occurrences of such incidents increase anxiety and cynicism among students and put the future of deserving candidates at risk.

Emphasizing the broader implications, he stated that India, as a nation, cannot afford to risk the future of its youth, as they represent the country’s future. He underlined the urgent need to restore transparency and credibility in the examination process.

He further called for swift accountability in the matter and stressed the need for systemic reforms to rebuild students’ trust. Patnaik added that it must be ensured that no student’s hard work and dedication are ever undermined in the future due to systemic failures or security lapses.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda