Amid the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 over alleged paper leak and examination irregularities, Gujarat minister Praful Pansheriya on Tuesday said students would not have to register again or pay any additional fee when the medical entrance examination is conducted afresh.
“The new exam date will be announced once the investigation is complete. The exam will be rescheduled, and students will not need to re-register or pay any fees,” Pansheriya said, while asserting that the government was acting to ensure that “hardworking students are not disadvantaged”.
Also read: NEET-UG 2026 cancelled amid integrity concerns; Centre orders CBI probe
The minister said the examination had been cancelled because “many rogues tried to benefit out of it”, adding that concerns over transparency prompted intervention by the Centre and central agencies.
“The government and the central agency took cognizance of this. Some students wanted to take advantage of it and illicitly move ahead,” he said, adding that the Centre had initiated a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.
Exam cancelled amid integrity concerns
The National Testing Agency (NTA), with the approval of the Government of India, on Tuesday announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, citing serious concerns over the sanctity of the examination process.
In an official statement, the NTA said the decision was taken after reviewing inputs coordinated with central agencies and findings shared by law enforcement authorities regarding alleged irregularities linked to the exam.
“Based on inputs examined by the NTA in coordination with central agencies, and investigative findings shared by law enforcement agencies, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026, and re-conduct the examination on dates that will be announced separately,” the agency said.
The NTA added that the existing process “could not be allowed to continue” in light of the concerns flagged during the investigation.
The Centre has handed over the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations, according to ANI.
Also read: NEET UG 2026 exam cancelled: Why the exam has been cancelled, re-exam date and what's next?
Second straight year of disruption
The latest controversy marks the second consecutive year in which NEET has faced disruption over allegations of irregularities and examination management lapses.
NEET-UG 2025 had also witnessed controversy after biometric authentication glitches were reported at multiple centres, causing delays and confusion for candidates. In Indore, heavy rainfall and power cuts at examination venues had forced students to write the test in dim lighting conditions, triggering protests and demands for corrective measures.
Acknowledging the anxiety caused to candidates and parents, the NTA said the cancellation was necessary to preserve public trust in the examination system.
“The decision has been taken because the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust,” the agency said.
The agency clarified that all existing registrations, candidature details and examination centre preferences submitted for the May 2026 exam would remain valid for the re-test. It also said no additional fee would be charged and that fees already paid by candidates would be refunded.
