The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially scheduled the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination for Sunday, June 21, 2026. This decision follows the unprecedented cancellation of the May 3 exam, which affected nearly 23 lakh medical aspirants due to widespread paper leak allegations.
1. Key Dates and Schedule
- Re-exam Date: June 21, 2026 (Sunday).
- Admit Card Release: Fresh admit cards will be issued starting June 14, 2026.
- City Correction Window: A fresh window will allow students to re-select their preferred examination city, acknowledging that many may have moved since the original test date.
2. The Investigation: “Guess Paper” Scandal
The cancellation was triggered by findings from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and state police units (specifically the Rajasthan Special Operations Group).
- The Leak: Investigators discovered a “guess paper” containing over 400 questions circulated on WhatsApp and Telegram as early as 42 hours before the May 3 exam.
- The Match: A staggering 120 Chemistry and 90 Biology questions in the actual exam allegedly matched those found in the leaked document.
- Insider Role: The CBI is currently probing a possible “insider role” within the NTA to determine how the confidential materials were accessed before being sealed.
3. Major Arrests in Nashik
Maharashtra’s Nashik has emerged as a key transit point in the leak chain.
- Key Accused: Nashik Police arrested Shubham Khairnar, a 30-year-old medical admission counselor.
- The Modus Operandi: Khairnar allegedly purchased the leaked paper for ₹10 lakh and sold it for ₹15 lakh per set to at least 10 people across various states. To evade capture, he reportedly changed his attire and hairstyle before his arrest in the Indiranagar area.
- Network Span: The paper leak network reportedly stretched across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
4. Important Updates for Students
- No Extra Fee: Candidates are not required to pay any additional examination fee or submit a new application form.
- Refund Policy: The government has announced that the original examination fee paid for the cancelled May 3 test will be refunded.
- Exam Mode: While the June 21 re-test remains a pen-and-paper exam, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that NEET will transition to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) model starting in 2027 to prevent future leaks.
5. Official Helpline
The NTA has urged students to rely only on official channels and has provided the following helplines for clarifications:
- Phone: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
- Email: neet-ug@nta.ac.in
Discover more empowering stories and insightful content like this on YOUxTalks, your go-to destination for inspiration and knowledge.
Follow YOUxTalks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youxtalks
