NEET UG 2026 Exam Cancelled – Official Notice & Re-Exam Date

NEET UG 2026 Officially Cancelled — What Happened?

The National Testing Agency (NTA), with the approval of the Government of India, has officially cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 examination that was conducted on 3 May 2026. The announcement was made on 12 May 2026 through an official NTA press release. A fresh examination will be conducted on dates that will be notified separately through official channels.

Over 22 lakh (2.2 million) students had appeared for the exam across the country. The cancellation affects all those candidates, making this one of the largest exam cancellations in India's history.

Why Was NEET UG 2026 Cancelled? — The Paper Leak

The root cause was a paper leak. An investigation by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) found a handwritten "guess paper" that had been circulated among students on WhatsApp approximately 42 hours before the exam — that is, the evening before the exam. This document reportedly contained around 410 questions, out of which nearly 120 questions matched the actual NEET UG 2026 paper — approximately 90 from Biology and 30 from Chemistry.

The alleged distribution covered multiple locations including Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Dehradun, Jaipur, and Kerala. The Rajasthan SOG arrested two accused — Manish Yadav and Rakesh Mandavriya — identified as masterminds of the leak. NTA, after receiving inputs from central agencies and law enforcement, concluded that "the sanctity of the May 3 examination had been compromised" and cancelled the exam to uphold the credibility of the national medical entrance process.

Important Dates at a Glance

What Should Candidates Do Now?

NTA has clearly stated that no fresh registration is required. Your existing registration data, candidature, and previously chosen examination centres will automatically carry forward for the re-conducted exam. You will receive a new admit card before the rescheduled exam date. Candidates should:

• Keep checking neet.ntaonline.in and nta.ac.in for the official re-exam schedule.
• Retain all original documents — your application number and registration details remain valid.
• Do not pay any fee to third parties claiming to re-register you — no fee is required.
• Contact the NTA helpline at 011-40759000 / 011-69227700 or email neet-ug@nta.ac.in for queries.

Are Previously Downloaded Admit Cards Still Valid?

The admit cards issued for the 3 May 2026 exam are no longer valid for any examination purpose since that exam has been cancelled. New hall tickets will be issued by NTA before the rescheduled exam. However, your admit card contains your application number and roll number — keep it as a reference document.

Fee Refund Policy

NTA has confirmed that no additional examination fee will be charged for the re-conducted exam. Furthermore, any examination fees already paid will be returned to candidates. The exact refund timeline and process will be communicated through the official NTA website.

About NEET UG and Why It Matters

NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test — Undergraduate) is India's single national-level entrance examination for admission to MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BSMS, BUMS, BHMS, and other undergraduate medical and dental courses at government and private medical colleges across India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). With over 22 lakh candidates appearing each year, NEET UG is one of the most competitive exams in the country and the sole gateway to medical education for millions of students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Will there be a fresh registration process for the re-exam?
No. NTA has confirmed that existing registration data, candidature details, and exam centre choices will automatically carry forward. No fresh registration is needed.

Q2. Is my original NEET UG 2026 application still valid?
Yes. Your application remains fully valid. The cancellation applies only to the 3 May 2026 exam event — not to your candidature. You will appear for the re-exam using the same application.

Q3. Will the exam fees be refunded?
Yes. NTA has officially stated that no new fee will be charged and previously paid fees will be refunded. The refund process and timeline will be notified separately.

Q4. When will the new NEET UG 2026 re-exam date be announced?
As of 12 May 2026, no specific date has been announced. NTA has stated it will notify the date "through official channels in due course." Check neet.ntaonline.in regularly for updates.

Q5. Is this the second major NEET controversy in two consecutive years?
Yes. NEET UG 2024 was also mired in a major paper leak and grace marks controversy that led to the dismissal of the NTA Director General and a Supreme Court hearing. The 2026 paper leak, coming just two years later, has intensified demands for a complete overhaul of the exam system and is under CBI investigation.