NEET 2026: Paper Leak, Arrests and the Full Re-NEET Explained
NEET 2026 Controversy Overview
The government held the NEET UG 2026 exam on May 3. Concerns arose about the possible leaks of the exam paper, especially at coaching institutes in Sikar, Rajasthan. Just two days before the test, a "guess paper" containing 140 to 300 NEET exam questions, worth a total of 600 marks, was circulated.
In response, the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested 13 people linked to Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Dehradun. Initially, the National Testing Agency (NTA) stated there were no major leaks. However, on May 11, the NTA cancelled the entire exam due to public dissatisfaction.
We will re-examine and announce new dates and updated admit cards shortly at neet.nta.nic.in.
Paper Leak Details
A 150-page PDF with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology questions went viral before May 3.
According to SOG investigations, an MBBS student in Kerala transferred NEET questions to a postgraduate operator in Sikar, and from there, the distribution began.
The shared PDF contained 140 questions identical to those on the exam, proving that the cheating scheme spread across states.
The NTA began using a watermarking system to track, but faced criticism for being slow and for resembling the delays seen in the 2024 Bihar leaks.
The CBI has now taken over the investigation following the cancellation of the NEET exam.
Grace Marks Issue
In 2024, as exams were delayed at six exam centres, 1,563 students received "grace marks," leading to controversy and score cancellations. Some students were allowed to retake the exam on June 23, and 67 scored a perfect mark of "720".
In 2026, the issue with grace marks was fixed; however, score leaks led to complete score cancellations, with no possibility of recovery.
These events show the challenges in the exam process. In 2024, grade marks impacted students, and in 2026, score leaks led to cancellations.
Re-NEET Developments
The NTA announced that all candidates must retake the NEET UG 2026 exam, pending government approval, with new exam dates yet to be announced as of May 12.
This full re-test comes after a partial re-test in 2024. It aims to bring justice for the exam leaks that affected students, resulting in over 2.2 million.
Results from the May 3 exam are now nullified, and the reexam will be rescheduled for another date.
Implications for Students
Recent events have exposed weaknesses in India's competitive exams, damaging trust in NTA processes and coaching systems, underscoring the need for more reliable resources and guidance.
For Brigaly users, this situation shows why secure study tools and career options on platforms like yours are important for navigating uncertain times.