NEET Paper Leak Row: Dharmendra Pradhan Chairs 1st Meeting To Review Re-Exam Preparations

Last Updated:May 15, 2026, 01:44 IST

Dharmendra Pradhan reviews plans for fresh NEET UG after NTA cancels May 3 exam over paper leak claims, CBI probes, FAIMA moves Supreme Court seeking NTA replacement

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting at his residence to review preparations for a fresh NEET-UG examination after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 test amid allegations of a paper leak and examination irregularities.

According to officials, the meeting focused on ensuring tighter security protocols, coordination with states and examination logistics before the re-conduct of the country’s biggest medical entrance test. The Centre has already handed over the probe into the alleged leak to the CBI.

The meeting, held at the minister’s residence, was attended by senior officials, including Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) Abhishek Singh, CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh and commissioners of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), among others, sources told ANI.

The NTA had on Tuesday announced cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, saying fresh dates for the examination would be notified separately. Over 23 lakh candidates had appeared for the exam conducted across the country on May 3.

The controversy erupted after allegations of a paper leak and that several questions in the examination matched papers circulated earlier as “guess papers", triggering protests by students and opposition-backed organisations.

Officials said the government is working on measures to restore confidence in the examination process.

The cancellation has also led to demands for wider reforms in the conduct of national entrance examinations. The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has moved the Supreme Court seeking replacement of the NTA and conduct of the fresh examination under judicial supervision.

Before the original examination on May 3, Pradhan had visited the NTA headquarters to assess preparedness and review arrangements, including examination logistics, monitoring systems and coordination with centres nationwide. Officials had then briefed him on measures put in place for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates appearing for the test under strict protocols.

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