Dharmendra Pradhan at the press conference
In a major development following the NEET-UG 2026 controversy, the Center on Friday said exam questions are being circulated in the name of “guess papers”, confirming fears of a paper leak that has forced the cancellation of one of India’s biggest entrance exams. Announcing the massive reforms, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that to prevent such incidents, NEET will run in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode from next year.Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said the leak was confirmed four days before the government took the “difficult decision” to cancel the May 12 exam. He said the move was necessary to ensure that deserving students were not harmed by the “conspiracy of academic mafias”.“Our top priority is the future of the students. We will not allow corruption to happen again,” the minister said, assuring the candidates that the government stands by them during the crisis.The National Testing Agency will now conduct the NEET-UG re-examination on June 21. Candidates will get new admit cards by June 14 and will again be allowed to choose their preferred exam city. The exam time has also been extended by 15 minutes.The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the NTA, which has repeatedly come under fire for examination-related irregularities in recent years. Defending the agency, Pradhan admitted that despite implementing the Radhakrishnan Committee’s recommendations after earlier controversies, the examination system has gone awry.The minister also announced that the examination fee paid by the students would be refunded and no additional fee would be charged for the re-test.Terming the issue as a “long and sustained fight” against the education mafia, Pradhan said the Central Bureau of Investigation is probing the leak at several levels and strict action will be taken against anyone involved.
