- By Surarika Das
- Fri, 15 May 2026 01:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
NEET-UG Paper Leak: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the NEET UG exam will be a Computer-based test (CBT) from next year (2027), while announcing the date for the NEET UG re-test. According to Pradhan, the NTA will conduct the NEET-UG re-exam on June 21, and the admit cards for the re-test will be released on June 14.
He emphasised that the government is empathetic and committed to protecting the interests of students following allegations of the NEET UG paper leak. The NEET-UG exam was conducted on May 3 this year, but was cancelled on Tuesday (May 12) following allegations of paper leak.
"Our topmost priority is the future of the students. I want to appeal to society, especially to all students, to appear for the examination without fear. The government stands with you. We will not let malpractice happen this time," Pradhan said.
"We did not want any mafia conspiracy or money power to snatch away your seat. We did not want that to happen. That is why we had to take a tough decision. As guardians, as officials entrusted with responsibility, and as a minister, we are all deeply saddened and concerned by what has happened," the minister said.
Dharmendra Pradhan On NEET-UG Re-Test:
Besides the dates for the NEET-UG re-exam and admit card, the education minister further said that the duration of the re-test has been extended by 15 minutes, and the candidates will also get to choose their preferred test cities again.
"The NTA has decided to give students one week to choose their preferred examination city for re-test," he said, adding NTA has decided to extend the examination duration by 15 minutes. The exam, which was scheduled from 2 pm to 5 pm, will now continue till 5.15 pm," he said.
He said the admit cards for this examination will be issued to all candidates by June 14. "The Government of India will speak to the states regarding the arrangement of transport facilities," he said, adding that NTA is also considering weather-related contingency arrangements for June 21.
Dharmendra Pradhan On NEET-UG Paper Leak:
Addressing the paper leak allegations, Dharmendra Pradhan said that the issue came to light after objections were received through the NTA grievance system regarding alleged overlaps with "guess papers", following which a preliminary inquiry was initiated.
"The examination was conducted on May 3. By May 7, objections were received through the NTA's grievance redressal system stating that certain questions appearing in the alleged 'guess papers' had also appeared in this year's question set. Immediately, discussions were held, and both the NTA and the government, along with the Higher Education Department, initiated a preliminary inquiry," he said.
"The process effectively began on the night of May 7 and continued from May 8 onward. Within three to four days, on the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th, when we received clarity and became certain that questions had indeed been leaked under the guise of 'guess papers', we took action on May 12 in the interest of students," he said.
"We did not want any deserving student to be deprived of their rights because of the conspiracy of education mafias or because an undeserving candidate benefited through unfair means," the minister said.
He said the government has handed over the case to the CBI and expressed confidence in the probe. "CBI has rightly said... no one will be spared. Whether someone is within the NTA or outside it, no one will be spared," he said.