NEET-UG 2026 Re-Examination Date Announced: Fresh Test On June 21 Amid May 3 Exam Paper Leak Row

New Delhi: In a significant move to address the crisis in medical admissions, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially scheduled the NEET UG 2026 re-examination for Sunday, June 21. 

The decision follows the dramatic cancellation of the May 3 test after a massive paper leak scandal that compromised the integrity of the nation's largest medical entrance exam.

Sources indicate that the NTA is operating on a "war footing" to expedite preparations, aiming to prevent any further setbacks to the upcoming MBBS academic session.

The move brings much-needed clarity to nearly 22 lakh medical aspirants following a period of intense anxiety. Their path to medical school was derailed by a nationwide paper leak scandal and systemic irregularities, triggering a crisis of confidence in the security and credibility of India’s premier entrance exam.

NTA announcement on Twitter

The NTA made the announcement through their official X handle. The agency stated that they have decided to conduct NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday, June 21, and approval has been taken from the Government of India in this regard.

“National Testing Agency has decided to conduct the re-examination of NEET (UG) 2026 on Sunday, 21 June 2026," the agency said in its post.

NTA has also advised the parents and candidates to only rely on their official communication channels for any information or updates related to the examination. Candidates can contact the NTA through its official helpline numbers- 011-40759000 and 011-69227700- for queries related to the examination process. Queries can also be sent through email at neet-ug@nta.ac.in.

Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will also brief the media on the upcoming NEET Exam at 10.30 am at 19 Teen Murti Marg, New Delhi.

The Shadow of the Paper Leak Row

The cancellation comes after investigators in Rajasthan and Kerala uncovered a "guess paper" trail that reportedly matched over 120 questions from the actual exam. The CBI, which has taken over the probe, has already made several high-profile arrests, including consultancy owners and middlemen. Two more people were arrested yesterday, bringing the total number of arrests to around seven.

The NTA is under immense pressure from both the public and the judiciary. Referring to the Supreme Court’s 2024 observations on exam sanctity, legal experts and student bodies (such as FAIMA and NSUI) have intensified calls for a complete restructuring of the agency.  

Pradhan Holds High-Level Meeting

Earlier yesterday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a high-level meeting at his residence on Thursday evening to assess the fallout from the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. 

The high-level meeting was called as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) moved further in its investigation to include possible involvement of the officials within the National Testing Agency (NTA). The sudden session came amid growing public anger and fresh arrests in the case.

Why was NEET cancelled?

The NEET 2026 examination, conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses across the country, was cancelled by the government on Tuesday after allegations of widespread irregularities and a possible question paper leak. The Centre subsequently directed the CBI to conduct a comprehensive probe into the case.

The cancellation of the exam has left more than 22 lakh aspirants and their families uncertain about the revised examination schedule, admit cards, test centres and the counselling process.