Students, Parents Raise Fairness Concerns Over Exam Process
Mansoor Peer
Srinagar, May 12: The cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following allegations of a question paper leak has caused distress and outrage among aspirants across Jammu and Kashmir.
The examination was conducted on May 3. However, allegations of a paper leak surfaced soon after, prompting the government to order a comprehensive CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities.
The controversy has come as a major shock for hundreds of NEET aspirants in Jammu and Kashmir, many of whom demand safeguards to ensure fairness and transparency in national-level examinations.
Irfan Ahmad, a NEET aspirant from Budgam, said students had been preparing for the examination for years and were devastated by the cancellation.
“We worked very hard for this examination. I had scored 663 marks and now we have to prepare again. This is a very big shock for us,” he said. He added that students are mentally exhausted and under immense pressure after the decision.
“We are not mentally ready to start everything again. Students now have to restart their preparation according to the new schedule. Our hard work has gone to waste and we are under mental stress,” he said.
Another aspirant, Sameer Ahmad, said the cancellation had deeply disappointed students who had devoted years to preparing for the examination.
“It was the result of three years of hard work. Cancelling the examination has depressed many aspirants. The government should conduct re-examinations only in places where the paper leak actually occurred,” he said.
Meanwhile, amid the allegations of a paper leak, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has called for urgent reforms in the conduct of national-level examinations.
Dr. Mohammad Momin Khan, of the FAIMA, termed the NEET-UG 2026 controversy “absolutely shameful” and demanded immediate reforms to restore trust in the examination system.
“Absolutely shameful. NEET 2026 again under controversy. Honest students study for years, while paper leak mafias play with their future,” he said while reacting to the allegations.
Amid growing concerns over the integrity of NEET-UG, Khan said strong reforms are urgently needed, including end-to-end digital encryption of question papers, last-minute paper generation with randomized sets, and strict background checks for printing, transport, and examination staff.
He further emphasized that transparent monitoring and stronger security mechanisms are essential to prevent future irregularities and protect deserving students across the country.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), conducted for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses across India, was held on May 3. Investigators are examining claims that question papers were circulated and allegedly sold for amounts ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹2 lakh before the examination.
The issue has triggered anger and disappointment among students and parents, with many questioning the fairness of the examination process and the future of aspirants who prepare for years under immense pressure.
Khan also demanded a transparent investigation, strict punishment for those involved, and stronger safeguards to ensure fairness in national-level examinations.
The NTA said it has decided to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately. The examination for students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in medical colleges will now be held again on dates to be notified separately.