NEW DELHI: A massive protest broke out near Shastri Bhawan in Delhi on Tuesday after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled NEET-UG 2026 amid paper leak allegations, organised by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).Heavy police forces have been deployed in key areas.Vinod Jakhar, National President of NSUI, says, “Students from every corner of the nation are out on the streets. NEET aspirants are out on the streets. Where is the government? Today, the future of those who prepared for the NEET examination with utmost diligence and integrity has been sold off. I demand that the government take the strictest possible action against the culprits and ensure that anyone involved in this conspiracy receives severe punishment. Certain individuals of the government and the administration are involved in this matter. The government, specifically, Dharmendra Pradhan, must accept accountability for this failure and should tender his resignation. Our primary demand is that the National Testing Agency (NTA) be banned. We demand that the investigation be conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court. This is because we have no faith in the government.”The exam was held on May 3, after which allegations of a paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) as well as central agencies.Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 and said the examination would be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately.In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.“On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately,” the agency said.The agency said that the inputs received, along with findings shared by law enforcement agencies, established that the “present examination process could not be allowed to stand.”“The re-conducted examination dates, along with the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be communicated through the official channels of the Agency in the coming days,” it added.The NTA further said that the government has decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations linked to the examination.“NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires,” it added.(With agency inputs)
