NEET-UG 2026 Exam Controversy: CBI Steps In Amid Allegations of Paper Leak
Nationwide Outcry Over NEET-UG 2026 Irregularities
By Arindam Ganguly
Bhubaneswar: The NEET-UG 2026 examination has sparked significant distress among students in Odisha due to alleged irregularities and a suspected paper leak, with many expressing that the situation has been mentally taxing after years of preparation.
This issue has escalated into a national controversy, leading the CBI to file an FIR following a complaint from the Ministry of Education. Officials indicated that the case involves charges related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, theft, and destruction of evidence, along with sections from the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
Special teams from the CBI have been dispatched to various locations to investigate the alleged misconduct surrounding the examination. Candidate Tanvi Sahu expressed her deep disappointment, highlighting that students had dedicated over two years to their preparation.
Describing the situation as 'mentally draining,' she mentioned her intention to take a brief hiatus to manage stress and suggested that transitioning to an online format for NEET could mitigate future paper leak incidents.
Another aspirant, Swastik Pattanaik, voiced his frustration over the persistent examination controversies, stating that repeated leaks undermine the hard work of students. He mentioned his hope to gain admission through JEE to avoid experiencing this distress again, emphasizing the emotional toll on candidates.
Shagun Samantaray, another candidate, labeled the situation as 'an injustice to millions of students,' arguing that ongoing disruptions compromise years of diligent preparation. She noted that aspirants often have to restart their studies due to circumstances beyond their control. The controversy has ignited widespread outrage on social media, with many users criticizing authorities for their repeated failures in examination security.
User Hara Sahu remarked that the education system must be held accountable for the distress inflicted on nearly 22 lakh students, questioning the authorities' inability to prevent such occurrences. The controversy has also elicited strong political reactions.
Opposition parties, including BJD and Congress, have called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the exam's cancellation, accusing him of failing to uphold the integrity of examinations. Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik described the alleged leak as a 'serious blow' to the trust students place in India's examination system.
'When the integrity of examinations is compromised, it is not merely a lapse; it is a betrayal of countless aspirants who have studied diligently, sacrificed comforts, and endured sleepless nights in their preparation,' he stated in a post on X.
'This is not the first instance of #NEET papers being leaked. Such leaks foster cynicism, increase anxiety, and jeopardize the futures of hardworking students who expect fairness,' Patnaik added.
During a press conference, BJD's youth wing president Chinmay Sahu and the students' wing chief Ipsita Sahoo claimed that the Central government has jeopardized the futures of 22 lakh aspirants.
In a press briefing, OPCC spokesperson Debashish Bhuyan accused the Centre of plunging students' futures into uncertainty. 'In 2019, the NTA was established to ensure transparency in the NEET exam's conduct. Ironically, numerous irregularities were reported that same year,' he asserted.