NEET-UG 2026 cancelled LIVE: Process to hold re-exam to begin in 7-10 days: NTA DG Abhishek Singh

The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) protested the cancellation and burnt effigies of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and NTA Chairman Pradeep Joshi.

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded the arrest of NTA Director General Abhishek Singh over the NEET paper leak allegations.

Former Education Minister Kapil Sibal criticized the government, saying it failed to conduct a fair exam and questioning its ability to run the country.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the alleged leakage and demanded immediate disbanding of the National Testing Agency (NTA), noting the impact on nearly 22 lakh students.

The Odisha-based opposition (BJD and Congress) demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the cancellation and alleged irregularities in examinations.

Andhra Pradesh Congress Vice President Kolanukonda Sivaji alleged that frequent NEET paper leaks have become a recurring trend under the Modi government, citing 89 incidents with 48 reconducted examinations.

Congress leader Bangarappa criticized the Centre for the cancellation, citing mismanagement and calling out what he described as hollow administration; he warned against further harm to students.

Experts and officials noted that the cancellation has left approximately 22 lakh medical aspirants and their families anxious about next steps, including new exam dates, admit cards, centres, and counselling timelines.

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said the schedule for the re-examination would be announced within the next seven to ten days, and that the process would begin within that period; no extra fee will be charged and previously paid fees will be refunded.

Activists of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) barged into the Principal Accountant General's office in Nashik, protested against the alleged paper leak; police used barricades and water cannons to disperse protesters.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) demanded an impartial and time-bound probe by central agencies into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and examination irregularities.

Crime Branch Unit 2 of Nashik Police detained Shubham Khairnar (30), a resident of Nandgaon, following a request from Rajasthan Police; he was picked up from Indiranagar.

The CBI custody was taken of a person from Nashik, Maharashtra, in connection with the alleged NEET paper leak.

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered an FIR in the alleged NEET (UG) 2026 paper leak case as part of the investigation.

The National Testing Agency cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3 amid allegations of a paper leak and irregularities, with the government requesting a comprehensive inquiry by central agencies.

The NEET-UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3 across centers before being cancelled later due to alleged leakage and irregularities.