14 May,2026 08:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi Alurkar
The National Testing Agency officially cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 exam due to a widespread paper leak, affecting over 22 lakh candidates. Representation Pic
Having studied in Mumbai for three years, from Std X to XII, Abu Hurera Khan, a 19-year-old medical aspirant, finally took a train back home to Uttar Pradesh. Khan had come to Mumbai to prepare robustly for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG). On May 3, he took the exam and was satisfied with his performance.
The National Testing Agency officially cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 exam due to a widespread paper leak, affecting over 22 lakh candidates. Representation Pic
On the morning of May 12, however, after the student boarded a train from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to visit his family, he learned en route that he now had to hurry back to Mumbai. "I was on the train when the NTA [National Testing Agency] notification came out. I am worried about getting back. It is difficult to find train tickets at the last minute in this season," Khan told mid-day.
Going by the trends of past years, students are now under the impression that the difficulty level may be upped during this attempt.
After the re-NEET announcements, members of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) in Delhi have moved to the court, challenging the NTA, while asking for the appointment of a supervisory committee to ensure that there are no more leaks.
"While the officials are arresting those involved, it is the students who are suffering. These leaks have been seen with NEET year after year, and authorities must get to the source of the leak so the pattern is put to a stop," said Abdurrehman Khan, a medical student and a counsellor.
Abu Hurera Khan, 19-year-old son of a UP farmer. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Abu Hurera Khan, who dreams of securing an MBBS seat, lived in hostels and rented rooms, and with relatives. After the May 3 attempt, he believed that he would get a score high enough to realise that dream. "My father is a farmer back in UP, and he has taken loans to give wings to my medical dreams. While they do not share the details of their troubles with me, I know that they have made enough sacrifices," he added. After the NTA notification, all Khan's parents want is for him to come home safe. "My parents asked me to get home, and then we shall figure out the next steps. They asked me now to dwell on any untoward thoughts," he tells mid-day.
Faisal Chowdhury, who took his fourth stab at the NEET this year
Faisal Chowdhury, 21, made his fourth attempt to clear the NEET this year. The resident of Sakinaka, Andheri, attended coaching classes for a year, after which he began preparing for the test on his own.
"I have been using the library and retaking the exam because I am set on occupying an MBBS seat. This time, my score was near 600. Another test would take a toll on student morale," he said.
Closer home, in Khar, 17-year-old Rajeeya Ramakrishna has been preparing for NEET for the past two years. Studying 15-18 hours a day had become routine, the student told mid-day. However, the young mind has been bearing extra pressure as her mother, Prabha, had put up her gold jewellery against the sum they required for coaching classes.
"I come from a humble background, and I have given my best to secure a career in medicine. But one challenge surfaces after another, making it difficult for students like me to dream of this profession. If the retests are more difficult and the ranks drop, it will be very difficult for me to make another attempt," she said.
Psychiatrist Dr Dayal Mirchandani offered these tips to students to stay positive amid the re-NEET row:
>> Reframe the situation and look at the re-NEET as a second opportunity to better your score. View the first exam as a practise test and give your all for the second attempt.
>> Give yourself a small break before you begin preparing for the test again to avoid fatigue.
>> Ensure that you are getting your sleep right; it will help you recall your preparation during the exam.
>> Practise and focus on areas where you think you need to improve. Spend some time daily to skim through topics you've prepared well.
May 3
Day NEET-UG 2026 was held
