The country’s most prestigious medical entrance exam, NEET UG 2026, has once again been embroiled in controversy. After the exam, serious suspicions arose that the question paper had been leaked. Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) has launched a detailed investigation, and initial findings have raised grave concerns about the integrity of the exam.
In response, the National Testing Agency has said it is aware of reports regarding the action taken by the Rajasthan SOG in connection with alleged irregularities in NEET (UG) 2026. According to the NTA, the examination held on May 3, 2026, was conducted as scheduled under full security protocols. Question papers were transported in GPS-tracked vehicles with unique, traceable watermark
identifiers. Examination halls were monitored through AI-assisted CCTV from a central control room, with biometric verification of every candidate and 5G jammers in place. The examination process itself proceeded as planned across all centres on the day.
On the late evening of May 7, 2026, four days after the exam, NTA received information about alleged malpractice related to the examination. These inputs were escalated by NTA to central agencies on the morning of May 8, 2026, for independent verification and necessary action. The subsequent action by law enforcement, including the detentions reported in the media in recent days, is the outcome of their professional and timely work. NTA has placed on record its appreciation for the agencies leading this effort and confirms that it is working closely with them in a fully supportive role, providing all examination-related data and required technical assistance.
The matter is currently under investigation, and the facts will be established by the agencies in due course. NTA will not pre-judge the inquiry or speculate on its likely outcome. Whatever the agencies conclude — including any findings that may require further action — will be examined transparently and disclosed in accordance with established procedure.
“To the candidates of NEET (UG) 2026 and their families: the effort and integrity of the very large majority of bona-fide aspirants is not in question, and will not be devalued. NTA is conscious of the anxiety reports of this nature can cause, and we ask candidates to allow the agencies the space to complete their work. Any necessary steps will be taken in consultation with the Ministry of Education at the appropriate stage,” the NTA stated.
What Happened So Far?
The probe has revealed links between the suspicious paper and both Kerala and the Sikar district of Rajasthan. It is alleged that an MBBS student in Kerala, originally from Churu, Rajasthan, sent a ‘question bank’ via WhatsApp on May 1 to his friend in Sikar, who runs a paying guest accommodation. According to SOG sources, the question bank contained around 300 questions. When these were compared with the original NEET paper, officials were reportedly stunned: about 150 of the 180 questions matched exactly with those asked in the exam.
After receiving the paper, the Sikar-based PG operator allegedly forwarded it through WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms. He shared the material with students staying at his PG, from where it spread further through career counsellors and other students. Surprisingly, after the exam, the same PG operator lodged a complaint with the Udyog Nagar police station and the NTA. SOG is now investigating whether he posed as a complainant out of fear of being exposed.
At present, SOG is connecting the dots to identify the mastermind. Forensic analysis of call logs and social media chats of all suspects is underway. The agency has not yet formally categorised the incident as a ‘paper leak’ or otherwise, but the available evidence indicates the possible involvement of a large gang.
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-177847542844970275.webp)
