The National Testing Agency (NTA), which cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 exam held on May 3 amid allegations of paper leak, clarified that another test will be scheduled in the next 7 to 10 days.
"We will tell you the schedule within the next 7-10 days," NTA Director General Abhishek Singh was quoted as saying when asked about the re-exam.
The assurance comes even as Union Education Minister refused to take any questions from the media on the issue of the NEET UG exam.
Taking responsibility for the incident, saying paper leaks should stop with immediate effect.
He said the entire paper was never available on Telegram or any other channel according to verified reports.
Pointing out that the entire question paper was not leaked, he said, "I will definitely say that even if a single question matches our question paper, then our commitment to zero tolerance and zero error is violated, and our entire process is compromised. Will take responsibility for it and then take action accordingly."
Singh promised strict action against those attempting to mislead students or exploit the examination process.
"I want to assure all that we will take strict action against anyone attempting such mischief. Wherever we receive reports that someone is selling question papers or misleading students, we will act against them," he said.
"There were many cases, even before the exam, where people were asking for OTPs in the name of providing papers and emptying bank accounts.
"We have taken action against all such people, and our policy is clear that we will not allow any irregularities in the examination process," Singh stressed.
Meanwhile, the CBI registered an FIR in the alleged paper leak after the government referred the matter to the investigating agency for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations linked to the examination.
The exam was held in 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad and was organised by the NTA for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates at centres across the country.
"On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, 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," NTA had earlier said in a social media statement.