12 May,2026 07:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kamal Haasan
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 conducted on May 3 and announced that the exam will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately.
The agency issued an official statement on X, stating that the decision was taken after examining inputs received from Central agencies and law enforcement authorities regarding alleged irregularities in the examination process. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now been tasked with probing the matter.
With the controversy affecting lakhs of medical aspirants across the country, actor-politician Kamal Haasan has voiced support for students who appeared for the examination.
Taking to X, Haasan strongly reacted to the development. He wrote, "The hard work and dreams of 22 lakh students who studied day and night for the NEET entrance exam have been shattered by criminal conspiracies. Who will take responsibility for this mental agony?"
Questioning the system further, he added, "To date, I don't recall even a single NEET exam being conducted without allegations of malpractice. That's why we are fighting to bring education back under the state list."
The actor concluded his post by writing, "Indian students must be protected from this unjust NEET exam and the mafia operating behind it."
In its official statement, the NTA said it had referred the matter to central agencies on May 8 for independent verification after concerns were raised about alleged irregularities.
After reviewing findings shared by investigative and law enforcement agencies, the examination body concluded that the integrity of the exam process may have been compromised.
"With the approval of the Government of India, the National Testing Agency has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately," the agency said.
The NTA added that fresh examination dates and revised admit-card schedules will be announced through its official channels in the coming days. No fresh registration is expected to be required, with existing candidature likely to remain valid.
The examination body also acknowledged the inconvenience caused to students and parents but maintained that the decision was necessary to protect the credibility of the national examination system.
