NEET-UG row: Dharmendra Pradhan chairs key meeting on re-exam, paper leak
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a late-night review meeting on the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak as the CBI widened its probe into alleged insider links with the NTA. Officials discussed a possible retest timeline and measures to prevent future leaks.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday night chaired a high-level meeting at his residence to review developments in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, as the CBI widened its probe and examined the possible involvement of insiders linked to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The nearly two-hour meeting was attended by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh, CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh, and the heads of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. Sources said discussions focused on the possible timeline for conducting the cancelled NEET-UG examination again and measures to prevent future paper leak incidents. Coordination among key educational bodies involved in the examination system was also reviewed.
The developments came as the CBI secured seven-day custody of five accused arrested in the case and apprehended two more suspects. Investigators informed the court that the case indicated the operation of an “organised gang” involved in leaking and circulating confidential examination papers for monetary gain. Officials said the agency is also probing whether any NTA insiders played a role in the irregularities.
Meanwhile, protests continued in several parts of the country demanding the scrapping of the NTA and the resignation of Pradhan. In Ahmedabad, members of the Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) showed black flags to the minister when he arrived at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad to chair a coordination forum meeting of IIMs.
The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking strict action against those involved in the leak and demanding that the medical entrance examination be shifted to a computer-based format.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district, a 21-year-old NEET aspirant allegedly died by suicide following the cancellation of the examination. His family said it was his third attempt and that he was confident of clearing the test this year. Police said no suicide note was recovered.
The NEET (UG) 2026 examination for undergraduate medical admissions, conducted on May 3, was cancelled by the NTA earlier this week amid allegations of a paper leak, leaving more than 22 lakh aspirants in uncertainty.
Addressing reporters, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the government was handling the matter with “great seriousness and sensitivity” and assured students and parents that strict action would be taken against all those involved in the leak.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday night chaired a high-level meeting at his residence to review developments in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, as the CBI widened its probe and examined the possible involvement of insiders linked to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The nearly two-hour meeting was attended by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh, CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh, and the heads of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. Sources said discussions focused on the possible timeline for conducting the cancelled NEET-UG examination again and measures to prevent future paper leak incidents. Coordination among key educational bodies involved in the examination system was also reviewed.
The developments came as the CBI secured seven-day custody of five accused arrested in the case and apprehended two more suspects. Investigators informed the court that the case indicated the operation of an “organised gang” involved in leaking and circulating confidential examination papers for monetary gain. Officials said the agency is also probing whether any NTA insiders played a role in the irregularities.
Meanwhile, protests continued in several parts of the country demanding the scrapping of the NTA and the resignation of Pradhan. In Ahmedabad, members of the Congress-affiliated National Students Union of India (NSUI) showed black flags to the minister when he arrived at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad to chair a coordination forum meeting of IIMs.
The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking strict action against those involved in the leak and demanding that the medical entrance examination be shifted to a computer-based format.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri district, a 21-year-old NEET aspirant allegedly died by suicide following the cancellation of the examination. His family said it was his third attempt and that he was confident of clearing the test this year. Police said no suicide note was recovered.
The NEET (UG) 2026 examination for undergraduate medical admissions, conducted on May 3, was cancelled by the NTA earlier this week amid allegations of a paper leak, leaving more than 22 lakh aspirants in uncertainty.
Addressing reporters, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the government was handling the matter with “great seriousness and sensitivity” and assured students and parents that strict action would be taken against all those involved in the leak.
