NEET Paper Leak Crisis: Re-Exam Locked In for June 21, Digital Test Mode Arrives in 2027

After the NEET UG 2026 paper leak scandal shook India’s medical education system, the government has set June 21 as the re-exam date for over 22 lakh students. The bigger shift a full move to Computer-Based Testing kicks in from 2027.

India’s NEET Exam Hit by Another Paper Leak, Government Cancels May 3 Test

India’s high-stakes medical entrance exam ran into serious trouble again. The NEET UG 2026 examination, held on May 3, was cancelled after question papers reportedly leaked and were sold to students for anywhere between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh. Over 22 lakh aspirants had appeared for the test across more than 5,400 centres spread across 551 cities in India and 14 international locations. The Central Bureau of Investigation stepped in to probe a multi-state network stretching across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and other states that allegedly circulated handwritten, scanned question papers as PDF files.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the nation on May 15, owning up to the failure. “Despite implementation of Radhakrishnan committee’s recommendations, this incident occurred. The root cause of this is Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) based examination. From next year, the NEET examination will happen in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode,” he said.

Re-Exam on June 21: No Extra Fee, Free City Choice

The National Testing Agency announced the re-examination date as June 21, 2026. Admit cards will be available from June 14 exactly one week before the test. No extra registration fee will be charged to students. Candidates can also choose their preferred exam city a student-friendly move that came amid widespread anger. The re-exam will still follow the old pen-and-paper format OMR sheets and all since the shift to digital testing applies only from 2027 onward.

Pradhan also clarified when the government first got wind of the problem. “On May 7, concerns were raised regarding a ‘guess paper’ in the now-cancelled examination, following which Central government agencies received complaints. Once we were certain about the leak, we immediately decided that there should be no compromise with students’ fair chance,” he said.

CBI Probe Points to NTA Insider Arrests Made

The CBI informed a Delhi court that the paper leak trail appears to lead back to someone inside the NTA itself. Investigators are working to identify which NTA officials and public functionaries may have enabled the breach. Several arrests have already been made in connection with the case.

Pradhan struck a firm tone. “Our approach will remain zero tolerance towards malpractices and anti-social elements. With advancements in technology, such challenges are emerging, but we will not allow any compromise with students’ future,” he stated. He also added “We do not want any mafia to snatch seats from hardworking students. Student trust is of utmost importance.”

Radhakrishnan Committee Recommendations Still Not Enough

The current controversy follows a similar crisis in 2024 when 155 students allegedly benefited from leaked papers. That episode prompted the government to set up the K. Radhakrishnan Committee, led by the former ISRO chairman. The panel submitted 95 recommendations to tighten the exam process and close systemic loopholes. Despite those steps, the system was breached again. Pradhan acknowledged this directly. “Despite following the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan committee, there was a breach in the command chain. We accept it and take responsibility to improve it,” he said.

The Public Examinations Act, passed in 2024, prescribes prison terms of three to ten years and fines of up to ₹1 crore for organised exam crimes.

NEET Goes Digital from 2027: Big Shift, Bigger Challenges

The move to Computer-Based Testing from 2027 onward marks the most sweeping structural change to NEET in its history. CBT is already the format for NEET PG India’s postgraduate medical entrance test. It also mirrors international exams like the MCAT in the United States and UCAT in the United Kingdom. The Radhakrishnan committee had specifically flagged the OMR-based system as a major vulnerability for paper leaks and the government has finally acted on it.

The logistical challenge, however, is enormous. Conducting NEET for over 22 lakh candidates in CBT mode would require roughly 20 to 30 exam shifts spread over a month. The NTA’s current infrastructure can handle only 1.25 lakh students per day a gap that demands urgent investment. Whether NEET 2027 will follow a multi-shift format like JEE Main which already runs in CBT mode is still to be confirmed. Full details on exam frequency, scheduling, and format are expected from NTA well ahead of the 2027 examination cycle.