Even Schools Manage Exams Better’: Alakh Pandey Questions NTA After NEET-UG 2026 Cancellation

Alakh Pandey, founder and CEO of Physics Wallah, sharply criticised the National Testing Agency after the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 over allegations of a question paper leak, saying that “even schools manage exams better” than the current system.

Reacting to the controversy, Alakh Pandey highlighted the emotional and financial pressure faced by medical aspirants and their families during NEET preparation. He said many students dedicate two to three years exclusively to the examination, often sacrificing social life, academic flexibility and personal well-being. According to him, entire families invest heavily in the dream of securing a medical seat, with some parents reportedly making financial sacrifices to support coaching, books and preparation expenses.

Pandey said the alleged paper leak had deeply shaken students’ trust in the examination system. Referring to reports that some candidates may have accessed the full paper in advance after paying large sums of money, he questioned how honest students could continue to believe in the fairness of the process. He also criticised the NTA’s claims regarding examination security, remarking that incidents of school-level paper leaks are far less common despite fewer resources.

The remarks came as the Central Bureau of Investigation launched a formal inquiry into alleged irregularities surrounding NEET-UG 2026. The investigation was initiated after the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education filed a written complaint seeking a detailed probe into the conduct of the medical entrance examination.

In an official statement, the CBI confirmed that it had registered a First Information Report (FIR) under charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft, destruction of evidence and provisions of the Public Examination Prevention of Unfair Means Act, 2024. Special investigation teams have reportedly been deployed across multiple states to investigate the scale of the suspected malpractice and identify any organised networks involved in leaking question papers or manipulating the examination process.

Officials said the investigation would examine both the “nature and extent” of the alleged irregularities, though the agency has not yet revealed how many individuals are under scrutiny or which states are part of the ongoing probe.

The controversy has triggered nationwide outrage among students, parents and educators after the government cancelled NEET-UG 2026 over concerns about the integrity of the examination. With nearly 23 lakh students appearing for NEET annually, the incident has once again intensified concerns about the credibility and security of India’s high-stakes entrance examination system.

Meanwhile, Abhishek Singh, Director General of the National Testing Agency, announced that all examination fees paid by candidates would be refunded. He also confirmed that a fresh examination would be conducted without any additional fee for students. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Singh said the decision to cancel the exam was taken because even the “slightest doubt” regarding fairness could not be ignored.