NEET-UG 2026: Nationwide Outcry Over Alleged Exam Irregularities and Paper Leak
Growing Concerns Over NEET-UG 2026 Examination
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, leaving many feeling mentally drained 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. The case is being investigated under various legal provisions, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, and violations of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Special teams from the CBI are now investigating multiple locations to uncover the details surrounding the alleged examination misconduct. Aspirant Tanvi Sahu expressed her deep disappointment, highlighting that students had dedicated over two years to their studies.
Describing the situation as 'mentally exhausting,' she mentioned her intention to take a brief break to manage her stress and suggested that transitioning to an online format for NEET could mitigate future leaks.
Another candidate, Swastik Pattanaik, voiced his frustration over the recurring examination controversies, lamenting that such leaks undermine the hard work of students. He expressed hope to gain admission through JEE to avoid similar distress in the future.
Shagun Samantaray, another aspirant, labeled the situation as 'unjust' for countless students, stating that repeated disruptions force them to restart their preparations due to circumstances beyond their control. The controversy has ignited widespread outrage on social media, with many users criticizing the authorities for their failure to secure examinations.
Hara Sahu, a concerned user, emphasized the need for accountability in the education system, questioning how nearly 22 lakh students could be affected without preventive measures in place. The political response has also been sharp, with opposition parties like BJD and Congress calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after the exam's cancellation, accusing him of failing to uphold examination integrity.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described the alleged leak as a 'serious blow' to the trust students place in the examination system, stating, 'When the integrity of exams is compromised, it is not merely a mistake; it is a betrayal of the hard work and sacrifices made by countless aspirants.'
Patnaik further noted that this is not the first instance of NEET paper leaks, which only serve to deepen cynicism and anxiety among students who expect fairness in their academic pursuits.
During a press conference, BJD's youth wing president Chinmay Sahu and students' wing chief Ipsita Sahoo criticized the Central government for jeopardizing the futures of 22 lakh aspirants.
OPCC spokesperson Debashish Bhuyan also condemned the situation, claiming that the establishment of the NTA in 2019 aimed to ensure transparency in NEET's conduct, yet numerous irregularities have been reported since.