The National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General, Abhishek Singh, has clarified that the complete NEET-UG 2026 question paper was never shared on any social media platform, including Telegram. This statement comes amid serious allegations of a paper leak that prompted the cancellation of the examination. Singh stated that initial investigations did not reveal any evidence of the entire question paper being circulated, thus maintaining the examination’s integrity.

During an interview with ANI via Zoom, Singh noted, “No, the entire paper was never available on Telegram or any other channel as far as we have verified the reports.” He elaborated on the nature of the alleged breach, indicating that the violation concerned a limited number of questions present in a circulating “guess paper” that bore similarities to the actual exam.

Singh further expressed that while he could not precisely define a leak, he acknowledged a breach that undermined the integrity of the examination. He emphasised that no complete question paper had leaked, but a PDF circulating on WhatsApp contained several matching questions with the NEET-UG exam. This situation was deemed unfair to the approximately 22.79 lakh students who prepared diligently for the test.

Decision to Cancel Examination and Recommend CBI Inquiry

In response to the discovery, the NTA decided to annul the examination conducted on May 3, recommending a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry to ensure fairness in the process. Singh stated that, due to the actions of a few individuals, it was crucial to protect the interests of the honest candidates, leading to the tough decision to cancel the exam.

The NTA’s cancellation of the examination was supported by recent findings from central agencies that raised concerns regarding systemic irregularities. “So, because of that act of a few anti-social elements, we could not have compromised the interests of the honest students,” Singh reiterated.

In Maharashtra, the CBI has dispatched four teams to the Crime Branch Unit-2 office in Nashik to take custody of Shubham Khairnar, who was arrested in connection with the alleged paper leak. This move is part of a broader investigation initiated by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG), which is examining claims that a “guess paper” with approximately 410 questions circulated prior to the examination.

Further Investigations and Developments

Authorities suspect that nearly 120 questions from the circulating document corresponded with the Chemistry section of the NEET-UG paper. The Rajasthan Additional Director General of Police, Vishal Bansal, previously indicated that this document may have been distributed weeks ahead of the examination, although the investigation remains in its early stages.

After the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which affected many candidates who sat for the test at over 5,400 centres across India and abroad, the government has escalated the matter to the CBI. The agency has filed a First Information Report (FIR) under various criminal provisions, including criminal conspiracy and cheating, as well as the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

Special CBI teams are actively deployed across various locations to further the investigation and secure custody of key accused individuals for interrogation. This ongoing investigation aims to address the integrity issues tied to one of India’s major entrance examinations for medical courses.

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