CBI Takes Over Probe as NEET-UG 2026 is Officially Scrapped Over Nationwide Paper Leak

Quick Summary: The CBI investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 leak has uncovered a “money trail” where handwritten question sets were sold to coaching centers for ₹15–20 lakh. These “guess papers” were then digitized and sold to individual students via WhatsApp for amounts ranging between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh.

The official cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination on May 12 has sent shockwaves through the student community, leaving over 22.8 lakh medical aspirants in a state of deep uncertainty.

The CBI has now taken full control of the investigation into what appears to be a sophisticated, multi-state operation. Here is the latest on the situation as of today, May 13, 2026:

The “Intricate Web” of the Leak

The scale of the breach is significantly larger than initially reported.

• The “Guess Paper” Scandal: Investigators in Rajasthan found that a “guess paper” circulated on WhatsApp days before the exam contained 135 out of 180 questions (including all 90 Biology questions) from the actual paper.
• Modus Operandi: The CBI has arrested five individuals, including a courier staffer in Nashik. It is alleged that this staffer provided 30 minutes of unauthorized access to secured trunks, allowing the papers to be scanned and digitized.
• The Cost of a Seat: These leaked papers were reportedly sold for sums ranging between ₹10 lakh and ₹25 lakh across a network spanning Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Kerala.

Official NTA Decisions & Student Relief

Recognizing that the “integrity of the examination could not be allowed to stand,” the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the following measures:

• Automatic Carry-Forward: Students do not need to register again. Your existing registration details, choice of examination city, and candidature will be carried forward to the re-conducted exam.
• No Extra Fees: No additional examination fee will be charged for the re-test.
• New Admit Cards: Fresh admit cards will be issued once the new schedule is finalized.
• CBI Charges: The case has been registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which carries much harsher penalties for paper solvers and organized syndicates.

Protests and Public Outcry

Protests have intensified today across major hubs like New Delhi, Sikar, and Kota. Student groups are demanding not just a re-exam, but a complete overhaul of the NTA’s security protocols. The “Indian Youth Congress” and other student unions have staged massive sit-ins, calling for the resignation of top education officials.

What Happens Next?

Milestone	Status
New Exam Date	To be notified separately (Expected within 10 days)
CBI Probe	Intensifying (Multi-state raids currently underway)
Admit Cards	Re-issue pending (Check exams.nta.ac.in/NEET regularly)

Pro-Tip for Aspirants: While the temptation to track every “leak” update on social media is high, the NTA has issued a stern advisory to ignore rumors. All official notifications regarding the re-exam date will be sent via SMS and email to your registered credentials. For now, the focus remains on keeping your preparation momentum steady despite the disruption.