NEET UG 2026 Row Deepens: NTA Says ‘Guess Paper’ Was Shared, Not Full Paper Leak

The controversy surrounding NEET UG 2026 has intensified after officials from the National Testing Agency told a parliamentary committee that the exam paper was “not fully leaked,” despite allegations that identical questions were circulated through a so-called “guess paper” across multiple states.

The statement has triggered sharp reactions from students and parents, especially after reports claimed that the same questions appearing in the actual exam were allegedly sold for lakhs of rupees before the test.

NTA Claims Entire Question Paper Was Not Leaked

During a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, senior NTA officials reportedly stated that the issue did not involve a complete paper leak.

According to officials, teachers involved in translating the Marathi version of the question paper allegedly memorized several questions and later recreated them as a “guess paper,” which was distributed among students.

However, members of the parliamentary panel questioned the explanation and asked how identical questions appearing outside the examination could not be treated as a paper leak.

Despite the criticism, NTA officials maintained that:

• Only certain questions had surfaced outside
• The complete question paper was not compromised
• The exam cancellation was based on irregularities and a “zero-tolerance” policy

‘Guess Paper’ Allegedly Sold Across Five States

Investigators examining the case reportedly found that the alleged question sets were circulated in multiple states before the examination.

Security agencies are said to be probing claims that the material was sold for amounts ranging between ₹25 lakh and ₹30 lakh.

The controversy has already led to several arrests, while the investigation has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Around 23 Lakh Students Appeared for NEET UG 2026

The NEET UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3, 2026, with nearly 23 lakh candidates appearing across India.

Following widespread allegations of paper leaks, irregularities, and suspicious circulation of question papers, the examination was cancelled.

The NTA has now announced a re-examination, which is scheduled to be held on June 21, 2026.

Parliamentary Panel Questions NTA’s Explanation

Sources familiar with the committee proceedings said several lawmakers challenged the agency’s position during the discussion.

Committee members reportedly argued that:

• If exact questions reached students before the exam, it directly affected fairness
• Even partial compromise damages the credibility of a national-level entrance exam
• Students’ trust in the examination system has suffered significantly

In response, NTA officials defended their decision to cancel the exam, stating that the agency follows a strict “zero-tolerance” approach toward any irregularity.

Re-Exam to Be Conducted Under Tight Monitoring

The upcoming NEET UG 2026 re-examination is expected to take place under enhanced security arrangements.

Authorities are likely to introduce:

• Stronger digital monitoring systems
• Tighter paper handling protocols
• Improved translation safeguards
• Enhanced coordination with law enforcement agencies

Students have also been advised to rely only on official notifications issued by NTA and avoid misinformation circulating on social media.

Why the Issue Has Become So Serious

The NEET examination is one of India’s biggest medical entrance tests, determining admission to MBBS and other medical courses nationwide.

Because of the exam’s importance, even small irregularities can create nationwide concern. With lakhs of students competing for limited seats, the controversy has once again raised questions about:

• Examination security
• Translation processes
• Handling of confidential papers
• Accountability within testing agencies

The investigation into the alleged paper leak and “guess paper” network is still ongoing, and more developments are expected in the coming weeks.