The National Testing Agency (NTA) informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education that no complete paper leak had taken place in the NEET-UG 2026 examination, according to sources familiar with the meeting. Officials reportedly stated that while certain questions were circulated before the exam, the incident did not amount to a full-scale leak of the question paper.
The committee had summoned NTA officials following the controversy surrounding NEET-UG 2026, which was conducted on May 3 and later cancelled after allegations emerged that some questions being shared online matched portions of the actual examination paper.
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During the meeting, NTA Chief Abhishek Singh and Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi reportedly told the panel that several corrective measures had already been implemented, while work on additional safeguards was ongoing to make future examinations more secure and leakproof.
According to sources, the agency maintained that although irregularities and malpractices were detected, these incidents were limited in nature. Officials said the examination was cancelled because NTA follows a “zero-tolerance” policy towards any compromise in the integrity of the test process.
The officials also reportedly reiterated that “no paper leak happened” while acknowledging that malpractice cases had affected public confidence in the examination system, prompting the cancellation decision on May 12.
Meanwhile, the CBI investigation into the controversy has led to multiple arrests across several states. Authorities have taken action against alleged intermediaries, teachers, examination centre staff and others accused of facilitating irregularities linked to the exam.
NTA has already announced that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21. Candidates will not be required to register again or pay any additional fees, while fresh admit cards will be issued ahead of the examination.
