New Delhi: Bringing to a close one of the biggest examination controversies in recent years, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Wednesday declared the results of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, conducted after the original May 3 exam was cancelled over an alleged paper leak.
Candidates can download their scorecards from the official NEET website using their application number and date of birth. Aryan Gupta and Panshul Bansal emerged as the joint toppers, securing 715 marks each.
The re-examination was conducted on June 21, nearly seven weeks after the original exam was scrapped following inputs from central agencies and findings shared by law enforcement authorities indicating that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised. The May 3 examination had been taken by more than 20 lakh aspirants, making it one of the largest entrance examinations in the country.
Why was the re-NEET held?
The controversy began after allegations surfaced that a “guess paper” circulated before the examination closely matched the actual NEET UG question paper. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) launched an investigation, while the NTA referred the matter to central agencies for verification.
Based on the investigative inputs and with the approval of the Government of India, the NTA cancelled the May 3 examination and ordered a nationwide re-test to ensure fairness and credibility in the admission process.
Supreme Court refused to stay re-exam
The decision to conduct a fresh examination triggered multiple petitions before the Supreme Court, with candidates seeking a stay on the re-test and questioning the short preparation window.
The apex court, however, refused to halt the June 21 examination, allowing the NTA to proceed. Later, it observed that challenges to the conduct of the re-examination had become infructuous after the test was held, while noting that broader issues concerning institutional reforms in examination systems could still be examined.
Timeline of the controversy
May 3: NEET UG 2026 conducted for over 20 lakh candidates.
May 8–12: Alleged paper leak comes to light; central agencies and Rajasthan SOG begin investigations.
May: Government approves cancellation of the examination; NTA announces nationwide re-test.
June 21: NEET UG 2026 re-examination conducted under enhanced security arrangements.
June 25–28: Provisional answer key released; candidates invited to raise objections.
July 16: NTA declares the re-examination results.
What happens next?
With the declaration of results, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is expected to begin the counselling process for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other undergraduate medical programmes. The NTA has maintained that the revised examination schedule will not delay the 2026-27 medical academic session.
