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Several opposition leaders including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday May 12, 2026, launched a sharp attack on the Central Government following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination amid allegations of paper leaks and examination irregularities. The Congress leader alleged that cancellation of the country’s largest medical entrance examination not just an administrative lapse, but a “crime against the future of young people.”
Taking to social media platform X, Gandhi termed the cancellation of the country’s largest medical entrance examination not just an administrative lapse, but a “crime against the future of young people.” He said millions of students and their families had made tremendous sacrifices to prepare for the examination, only to be betrayed by alleged corruption and negligence within the system.
“The NEET 2026 exam has been cancelled. The hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of more than 22 lakh students have been crushed by this corrupt BJP regime. Some fathers took loans, some mothers sold their jewellery, lakhs of children stayed awake all night studying, and in return they received paper leaks, government negligence, and organised corruption in education,” Gandhi wrote.
He further alleged that examination paper leak rackets continue to operate without fear, while sincere students are forced to suffer the consequences.
“Every time, the paper mafia escapes unpunished, while honest students are made to pay the price. Once again, lakhs of students will have to face mental stress, financial hardship, and uncertainty. If success is decided by money and influence instead of hard work, then what value does education hold?” he said.
The criticism came shortly after the Centre announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which had been conducted on May 3, following serious allegations of paper leaks and irregularities that raised concerns about the credibility of the examination process.
Similarly, Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticised the Centre over the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, accusing the government of making students suffer for what he described as a “compromised system.”
In a post on X, Tagore said the repeated paper leak controversies had once again shattered the hopes of lakhs of students who had worked tirelessly for the examination.
“NEET-UG 2026 has once again been cancelled following reports of a paper leak. Lakhs of students who studied day and night are being forced to suffer because of a completely compromised system. Year after year, the same scandal, the same excuses, and the same pain continue,” he said.
Questioning the accountability of the authorities, the Congress leader asked who would take responsibility for ruining the future of students and allowing such repeated failures to occur.
“Who destroyed the future of these students? Who will be held accountable? How many more young people will have to endure stress, uncertainty, and trauma because of corruption and incompetence?” Tagore asked.
Escalating his criticism of the government, he further remarked that a nation unable to conduct a fair medical entrance examination could not claim to represent a “New India.”
“Compromised system. Compromised accountability. Compromised Prime Minister,” he said in his post.
Meanwhile, workers of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged protests against the Central Government following the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination.
On the other hand, in an official statement, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said the decision was taken after reviewing inputs in coordination with central agencies and examining investigative findings shared by law enforcement authorities, which indicated a possible compromise of the examination’s integrity.
“On the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, and in order to ensure transparency in the system, 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 statement said.
The agency stated that the existing examination process “could not be allowed to stand” and confirmed that the matter had been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a detailed inquiry into the allegations.
“NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance required for the investigation,” the agency said.
While acknowledging the inconvenience caused to students and parents, the NTA maintained that the cancellation was necessary to protect the credibility and trustworthiness of the examination system.
“The decision has been taken because the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust,” the statement added.
The agency also clarified that all registration details, candidature information, and examination centres selected by candidates for the May 2026 examination cycle would remain valid for the re-test. Candidates will not have to register again, and no additional fee will be charged. The NTA further announced that fees already paid by students would be refunded.
Fresh dates for the re-examination and revised admit card schedules are expected to be announced through official channels in the coming days.
NEET-UG, the common entrance test for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate medical courses across India, was conducted in pen-and-paper mode at more than 5,400 centres across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. Approximately 22.79 lakh candidates had appeared for the examination.
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