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Rajasthan SOG probes NEET irregularities over ‘guess paper’ overlap
The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) has opened a probe into alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2026 after investigators found that at least 120 questions matched those from a handwritten “guess paper.” The investigation involves multiple districts and states, with the NTA stating the exam was conducted under security protocols.
Why It Matters
The case raises questions about NEET-UG integrity and exam security, with potential impacts on student scores and admissions. It also highlights regional coaching hubs and the role of private agencies in exam irregularities.
Timeline
7 Events
May 11, 2026: Rajasthan SOG launches probe into NEET irregularities; 12 questioned; 120 overlapping questions found with a handwritten guess paper
May 11, 2026
The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) launched a probe after investigators found that at least 120 questions from a 200-question NEET paper matched those circulated earlier in a handwritten 'guess paper'. Twelve people were questioned from Sikar, Jaipur, Kota, Jhunjhunu, and Dehradun (Uttarakhand). Officials noted the same question bank had circulated in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala; investigators also looked at potential monetary links and whether any existing paper-leak syndicates were involved.
May 10, 2026: NTA states exam was conducted under full security protocol
May 10, 2026
The NTA issued a statement saying NEET-UG 2026 was conducted under full security protocol; it described measures such as GPS-tracked transportation with watermark IDs, AI-assisted CCTV monitoring, biometric verification, and the use of 5G jammers.
May 8, 2026: Inputs escalated to central agencies for verification
May 8, 2026
Investigators escalated inputs concerning alleged malpractice to central agencies on the morning of May 8, 2026 for independent verification and necessary action.
May 7, 2026: NTA becomes aware of alleged malpractice surrounding NEET paper
May 7, 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) became aware of allegations concerning the NEET paper in the evening of May 7, four days after the examination.
May 3, 2026: NEET-UG 2026 conducted in pen-and-paper mode
May 3, 2026
NEET-UG 2026 was conducted in pen-and-paper mode across centres as scheduled.
2024: NTA data shows Sikar top percentile performers in NEET-UG
2024
Following a Supreme Court order, the NTA released data showing Sikar had the highest number of top-percentile NEET-UG performers across India, including a large share of candidates scoring above 650 marks.
2023: ED raid linked to REET-2021 paper leak case in Sikar
2023
The Enforcement Directorate conducted a raid on the office of an accountant linked to a coaching institute in Sikar in connection with the REET-2021 paper leak case; SOG later said the institute remained under scrutiny.