NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: A Crisis of Governance

Conducted on May 3, 2026, for 22.79 lakh aspirants, NEET-UG was cancelled by NTA on May 12 after guess papers leaked via WhatsApp and Telegram from late April matched major portions of the paper. CBI, taking over the same day, has arrested at least 7-10 accused, including Pune lecturers P.V. Kulkarni and Manisha Waghmare, revealing a multi-state network. This repeat of 2024 exposes deep systemic rot in NTA’s logistics and oversight. For the central government and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, it signals bureaucratic inertia despite prior reforms—triggering opposition demands for resignation and eroding public trust. While the June 21 re-exam and 2027 CBT shift show intent, persistent lapses question institutional accountability, demoralising merit-driven youth and highlighting the urgent need for structural overhaul beyond arrests.