How Many Times Has the NEET Paper Leaked?

 

Over 22 lakh students appeared for the NEET UG 2026 examination, which was conducted on May 3, 2026. Students can understand how many times has the NEET paper leaked. The National Testing Agency (NTA) officially announced that the exam had been cancelled due to a confirmed NEET 2026 Paper Leak in some parts of India.

 

The NEET 2026 Paper Leak was first reported by a middleman, and investigations traced the origin of the leaked paper to Rajasthan (Sikar). Following the NEET paper leak cases in India, the NTA decided to scrap the May 3 exam and hold a re-examination for all registered candidates. Read this article to learn more about the NEET 2026 Paper Leak, who is involved, how many times it has happened, and more.

 

Overview of the NEET UG Paper Leak Timeline

 

According to investigation reports of NEET paper leak cases in India, the NEET 2026 Paper Leak allegedly occurred about 45 hours before the exam. The mastermind has been identified as Shubham Khairnar, a 30-year-old resident of Indira Nagar in Nashik and a final-year BAMS student in Bhopal.

 

A multi-state operation was carried out through middlemen, with the NEET 2026 Paper Leak reportedly being sold for around ₹15 lakh. The question paper of the NEET 2026 paper leak update, or its “guess paper” version, was distributed across several states, including Rajasthan, Kerala, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra (Nashik). A “guess paper”, the NEET 2026 Paper Leak containing around 400 questions, with 18 questions directly matching the NEET paper, was circulated in both PDF format and physical copies. The latest news on the NEET 2026 paper leak was later escalated to the NTA via email, prompting a deeper probe.

 

People Involved in the NEET 2026 Paper Leak Case

 

Names that have emerged in connection with the NEET 2026 Paper Leak include:

 

• Shubham Khairnar (alleged mastermind)
• Yash Yadav
• Dinesh and Mangilal
• Manish Yadav and Rakesh Mandwaria. 

 

Moreover, the CBI arrested a Pune botany teacher who had applied to the NTA as an expert. The CBI also arrested retired chemistry professor P.V. Kulkarni for the NEET 2026 Paper Leak, accused of being an insider with access to the NTA NEET paper leak question paper-setting process. Kulkarni allegedly planned to sell the NEET 2026 Paper Leak but, failing to find enough buyers, shifted to conducting secret coaching sessions for select students in Pune.

 

So far, around 15 people have been arrested in connection with the NEET 2026 Paper Leak, including alleged masterminds Manish Yadav and Rakesh Mandwaria.

 

Where did the NEET 2026 Paper Leak occur?

 

The core incident of the NEET 2026 paper leak has been linked primarily to:

 

• Rajasthan - Sikar (a major hub in the operation)
• Related links and movements traced to Jaipur, Haryana, and Nashik

On May 8, 2026, the Special Operations Group (SOG) traced suspects of the NEET 2026 Paper Leak from Sikar to Jaipur, Haryana, and Nashik, indicating a widespread, organised network.

 

 

Also Read: Medical College Seat Distribution and MBBS Seats in India 2026

 

How Was the NEET 2026 Paper Leak Detected?

 

The NEET 2026 Paper Leak was uncovered through a combination of:

 

• CCTV surveillance footage, leading to crucial leads.
• Action by the Nashik crime branch on May 12, 2026.
• Use of portable scanners and Telegram channels to scan, transmit, and circulate the paper.
• Financial trails showing that some parents of NEET aspirants allegedly purchased the leaked paper for ₹5-10 lakh

Investigators also found links to the NEET 2026 Paper Leak, suggesting a direct connection to NTA insiders, raising serious questions about systemic vulnerabilities.

 

How Many Students Are Affected?

An estimated 22.7 lakh students who registered for NEET UG 2026 have been impacted by the cancellation and re-exam decision. These figures have been widely reported by education portals and news outlets after the May 3 exam was scrapped.

 

Tragically, the stress and uncertainty surrounding the cancellation and controversy due to the NEET 2026 Paper Leak have also been linked to four student suicides, highlighting the severe mental health impact of such exam scandals. Currently, students are preparing for the NEET paper leak re-exam 2026.

 

What Happens Next for Students?

 

Students must know the NEET paper leak official update, which helps them stay informed about what is happening after the NEET exam has been cancelled.

 

1. Re-NEET Exam on 21 June 2026: The NTA has officially scheduled the re-exam for June 21, 2026. All students who registered for the May 3 exam are eligible and do not need to re-register.
2. No Extra Fee Required: The original application fee will be carried forward automatically for candidates appearing in the re-examination. No additional fee is required.
3. Refund Option for Non-Appearing Candidates: Students who know how many times has the NEET paper leaked and choose not to appear in the re-exam can apply for a fee refund by submitting their bank details on the official portal.
4. Correction Window for Candidate Details: The NTA opened a correction window, allowing candidates to update the current address, preferred exam city and communication details. However, the exam language/medium cannot be changed at this stage.
5. Fresh Admit Cards: Admit cards issued for the May 3 exam are no longer valid. New hall tickets for the June 21 re-exam will likely be released by mid-June 2026.
   
6. Stronger Security Measures: The Education Ministry and NTA have announced multiple steps to prevent future leaks, such as tighter exam-centre monitoring, enhanced CCTV surveillance, stricter paper-handling protocols, stronger anti-leak enforcement measures, and a full-fledged CBI investigation into the NEET 2026 Paper Leak.
7. Possible Long-Term Reforms: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has acknowledged serious lapses, stating that the NTA “has not done their job properly” and noting that this is not the first time such a controversy has arisen (a major scandal of NEET previous paper leak incidents was also reported in 2014). 

 

The CBI NEET paper leak case has changed many lives. For a change, to improve transparency and security, the government is considering shifting NEET to a computer-based test (CBT) format from 2027 onward.

 

How many times has NEET paper leaked in India?

 

Students should understand how many times NEET leaked. Counting major national-level controversies in which NEET UG papers were alleged to have been leaked or compromised, there have been four significant incidents in India so far. The 2026 leak is one of the most impactful, given its scale, nationwide implications, and the decision to completely cancel and re-conduct the exam.

 

 

 

Also Read: Conducting Re NEET a Logistical Challenge; NTA’s Focus on Zero Trust Policy

 

 

How Should Students Cope and Prepare for the NEET 2026 Re-Exam?

 

The NEET UG 2026 re-exam has created stress, uncertainty, and frustration for many aspirants. However, the best strategy now is to stay calm and focus on smart revision rather than starting from scratch.

 

• Focus on Smart Revision, Not Re-Starting
• Subject-Wise Strategy
• Use Mock Tests Wisely
• Manage Stress and Mental Health

What to Focus on in the Final Weeks

 

Students must understand how many times has the NEET paper leaked. In the last stretch before the re-exam:

 

• Prioritise high-yield topics in all subjects.
• Solve previous-year NEET questions (PYQs) repeatedly.
• Take mock tests and thoroughly review your error notebook.
• Avoid starting entirely new books or untouched, difficult chapters at the last moment.

 

The aim now is to increase accuracy, speed, confidence, and exam temperament, not to relearn the entire syllabus.

 

Students who want to understand the NEET paper leak year-wise list, NEET UG 2026 re-exam process in more detail, or get personalised guidance on preparing for NEET or JEE, can visit Hello Mentor for a one-on-one session with expert mentors.

 

Frequently Asked Questions on the NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak

 

1. Did NEET 2026 get cancelled?

Yes. The NEET UG 2026 exam, conducted on May 3, 2026, has been officially cancelled by the NTA following confirmation of a NEET 2026 Paper Leak.

 

2. How many times has the NEET paper leaked in India?

There have been four major national-level controversies involving the leakage or compromise of NEET UG question papers in India, including the 2026 incident.

 

 

 

Also Read: NEET 2026 Registration Fee Refund: Amount Refund Date & Re-NEET Fee Details