Dharmendra Pradhan at press conference
In a major development after NEET-UG 2026 controversy, the Centre on Friday said exam questions had circulated in the name of “guess papers”, confirming fears of a paper leak that forced the cancellation of one of India’s biggest entrance exams. Announcing sweeping reforms, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said NEET would move to Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year to prevent such incidents.Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said the government verified the leak over four days before taking the “difficult decision” to cancel the examination on May 12. He said the move was necessary to ensure deserving students did not suffer because of the “conspiracy of education mafias”.“Our topmost priority is the future of students. We will not let malpractice happen again,” the minister said, while assuring candidates that the government stood with them during the crisis.The National Testing Agency will now conduct the NEET-UG re-exam on June 21. Candidates will receive fresh admit cards by June 14 and will be allowed to choose their preferred examination city again. The exam timing has also been extended by 15 minutes.The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the NTA, which has faced criticism over repeated exam-related irregularities in recent years. While defending the agency, Pradhan admitted there had been a breakdown somewhere in the examination system despite implementing the Radhakrishnan Committee recommendations after previous controversies.The minister also announced that examination fees paid by students would be refunded and no additional fee would be charged for the re-test.Calling the issue a “long and sustained fight” against the education mafia, Pradhan said the Central Bureau of Investigation was probing the leak at multiple levels and strict action would be taken against everyone involved.
