‘No Extra Fee, 15 More Minutes, Centre of Choice’: Education Minister Announces Big Measures for NEET-UG Re-Exam

New Delhi: Days after the cancellation of NEET UG 2026 over an alleged nationwide paper leak scandal, the education minister on Friday announced that the re-examination will be conducted on June 21 while assuring students that no additional fee will be charged and special measures will be introduced to reduce stress on aspirants.

Addressing the media, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government stands firmly with students and will ensure that no injustice is done to candidates affected by the controversy.

"Our topmost priority is the future of the students, and the government is sensitive towards their hard work and efforts. We will not let malpractice happen this time. The government is with you. We had to make a difficult decision in the interest of the nation. We are very sad", Pradhan said.

15 Extra Minutes, City of Choice: Education Minister

In a major relief for candidates, the minister also announced that students will be allowed to choose the city where they wish to appear for the re-examination, and the examination timing will be increased by 15 minutes during the re-test.

He said the decision was taken keeping in mind travel difficulties, emotional stress and logistical challenges faced by candidates and families after the sudden cancellation of the exam.

"A large number of students appear for this examination every year. The NTA will issue a detailed public notice by this evening with complete information. Prima facie, the NTA has decided to give students one week to choose their preferred examination city again, because many candidates may have left the city where they appeared for the previous exam," Pradhan said. 

The duration of the examination would be extended by 15 minutes to facilitate formalities such as signing attendance sheets and other procedures.

"Keeping students' convenience and time constraints in mind, the NTA has decided to extend the examination duration by 15 minutes. The exam, which was scheduled from 2 pm to 5 pm, will now continue till 5:15 pm," he added. 

Further, he also admitted that questions had gone out under the guise of "guess papers".

"Questions have gone out under the guise of guess papers," Pradhan said.

The announcement comes amid mounting pressure on the National Testing Agency (NTA) following allegations of widespread irregularities and a possible paper leak linked to an interstate network currently under CBI investigation.

No Additional Fee for Students

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also asserted that the government does not want students and parents to suffer financially because of the controversy.

He announced that no fee will be charged for the re-examination and confirmed that the government will ensure there is no financial burden on NEET aspirants.

Officials also clarified that previous registration details will remain valid and students will not be required to register again.

‘Zero Tolerance for Education Mafia’: Govt Assures Action in Leak Probe

Further, Dharmendra Pradhan assured that the government is deeply saddened and concerned over the incident and stressed that strict action would be taken against all those responsible for compromising the examination process.

The minister stated that the CBI probe would investigate every possible link connected to the leak, including any alleged involvement from within the NTA itself.

‘We have zero tolerance towards malpractices and this is a long fight against the examination mafia... Various social media handles are trying to spread misinformation, the system is being challenged and in view of this, the investigation has been handed over to the CBI, who have initiated immediate action. It will go to the depths of the breach,’ education minister stated. 

He further asserted that no one would be spared if found guilty, regardless of position or role.

 ‘No More OMR Sheets from 2027’: Education Minister

In another major overhaul of India’s examination system, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also announced that OMR sheet-based examinations will be phased out from 2027, with major national entrance tests moving entirely to Computer-Based Tests (CBT).

The move is being seen as a significant reform aimed at tackling paper leaks, impersonation, cheating, and other irregularities that have repeatedly raised concerns over the credibility of competitive examinations in the country.

Re-Exam To Be Held on June 21

The National Testing Agency officially confirmed that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted on Sunday, June 21.

The agency stated that approval for the retest has been taken from the Government of India, and preparations are reportedly being carried out on a “war footing” to avoid disruption to the upcoming MBBS academic session.

The move impacts nearly 22 lakh aspirants whose examination, conducted on May 3, was cancelled after the integrity of the process came under question.

The NTA also said revised admit cards for the re-examination will be issued by June 14 through official channels.

Candidates and parents have been advised to rely only on official NTA communication platforms for updates regarding exam centres, admit cards and schedules.

Why was NEET cancelled?

The NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled after investigators reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that a handwritten “guess paper” containing questions matching the actual exam paper had circulated before the test.

Meanwhile, NTA did not directly use the words “paper leak” in its official notice; this comes after Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting a coordinated paper leak network linked to the examination.

Investigators allegedly found a handwritten “guess paper” carrying nearly 140 questions that reportedly matched the actual NEET-UG paper. Officials claimed the material included around 600 marks worth of questions out of the total 720 marks, including matching biology and chemistry questions and answer-option sequences.

Preliminary findings suggested that the material may have reached aspirants nearly two days before the examination. 

MBBS Student Under Scanner

According to SOG sources, the alleged leak trail has been linked to an MBBS student from Rajasthan’s Churu district currently studying at a medical college in Kerala.

Investigators suspect the handwritten material was allegedly sent to an associate in Sikar on May 1 before being circulated through coaching-linked networks and career counsellors.

Officials further alleged that the material was sold for prices as high as ₹5 lakh two days before the exam, while the rates reportedly dropped to ₹30,000 a day before the test.

The Government of India has now referred the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and possible leak network.

“NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires,” the agency stated.

The investigation is expected to examine the alleged money trail, circulation of leaked material and possible involvement of intermediaries connected to coaching networks.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has already made multiple arrests across states, including consultancy operators, middlemen and alleged members of the leak network.